In a project organised by Liverpool charity, the Paper Cup Project, pupils from two schools reach out to homeless people over the festive period

Liverpool charity Paper Cup Project has been spreading messages of hope this Christmas to people living in temporary and supported accommodation over the festive season.

The charity, which runs regular outreach sessions offering support for homeless across the city, has joined forces with two schools in the region to offer messages of hope and gift parcels to those who need them.

Both Our Lady Queen of Peace in Skelmersdale and Ranworth Square Primary in Norris Green got creative with handmade Christmas cards, filled with kind messages from the children. The cards were distributed inside 130 gifts bags which have been delivered in time for Christmas, to accommodation across the city.

Paper Cup Founder Michelle Langan said the project had been assisted by the Community Foundation For Merseyside. She added “Usually our team of volunteers spend Christmas morning on the streets, giving out breakfast and Christmas gifts, and trying our best to get people inside.

“During the Covid pandemic we have had to change the way we offer support. Thankfully, many of the people who were sleeping rough are now accommodated in hostels, and some are even inside their own flats where they will be spending their first Christmas.

“We wanted to make sure that our friends had some nice treats to open on Christmas Day, and to be able to work with school children on this project made it extra special. As well as donating their special hand-made cards, it was also a way for teachers to talk to the pupils about homelessness.

“It has been a real pleasure working with the two schools, and our volunteers have been a great help packing up the gift bags. Hopefully these packages will bring smiles to those who open them on Christmas Day. Knowing that you mean something to someone, is important, never more so than over Christmas.”