After a difficult year we want to reach out to the people who are suffering the most and bring joy and hope into their lives this Christmas

Thousands of people will turn to The Salvation Army for help this winter. In over 650 communities across the UK we will be rolling up our sleeves and doing all we can for them.

The Salvation Army Mission Statement. The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Jeff Farm Trust also offers grants that support various Salvation Army programmes. Funding priority is given to under-priviliged youth and includes adventure-based learning, camping, alcohol and drug therapy, training opportunities, and supervision for court-related diversion.

We want to be there for all the people who are facing poverty because they have lost their jobs and livelihoods. For the families struggling to feed their children. For the older people in our communities who have never felt as lonely as they do now. For the people who are homeless and trying to get back on their feet. The pandemic and lockdown restrictions mean that this year will be different, but The Salvation Army is battling on to deliver Christmas.

Alcohol and drug support; Church; Early childhood education; Family Store; Gambling support; Specialist youth services; Welfare (incl. Food parcels) Salvation Army International; Salvation Army General; International Social Justice Commission; Learn about our Salvation Army story.
The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters throughout Australia. We pay our respect to Elders and acknowledge their continuing relationship to this land and the ongoing living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.

What we are doing this Christmas

Just some of the ways we will be supporting people at Christmas this year:

Providing ‘meals on wheels’ Christmas lunches and companionship to older people living alone
Giving Christmas food parcels to families who are struggling to afford a proper Christmas lunch
Distributing modest toys to children whose parents are unable to afford presents this Christmas.

We are also battling to protect thousands of rough sleeps with nowhere to turn by:

Developing new initiative nap pads providing hot food, blankets and hygiene kits
Running drop in day centres with access to specialist help
Working with local authorities to seek alternatives to night shelter provision.

'We had nothing to give the children on Christmas Day until you arrived with your parcel of food and toys. I’ll never forget the kids’ squeals of delight when they opened their presents.'

Sophie, Mother of a family on a very low income.

For queries, please contact 020 7367 4800 or email us at fr@salvationarmy.org.uk.

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Salvation Army has campaigned on the issue of gambling for more than 10 years. We hold regular meetings with government ministers on this issue and sit on the Gambling Commission's community liaison group.

Gareth Wallace, spokesman for The Salvation Army, said in response to the Minister Helen Grant's announcement on fixed odds betting machines:

'Today's announcement of a voluntary ceiling of £50 for fixed odds betting machines is welcome but we believe a radical cut to no more than £10 per stake is necessary to stop problem gamblers from losing life-altering amounts of money. The proposal for account-based or over-the-counter betting could be beneficial because this enables breaks in play.

Preissmann slot theory. 'Fixed odds betting terminals, which are popping up in betting shops across the country, are one of the most addictive forms of gambling and enable people to bet £100 every 20 seconds.

'We welcome the government's promise to look at measures which include players being able to pre-set limits on time and money per gambling session before they start. Any measures that remind players of how quickly they are losing money could help reduce problem gambling.

'Although Eric Pickles has announced that his department will consult on providing greater powers for local communities, we believe that a new planning category is necessary to ensure betting shops are no longer counted alongside financial services such as banks.

'We also call from more powers to reduce clustering of betting shops in high streets, further research into FOBT machines, including their density, location and social impact, and more government-funded help to treat people with gambling additions.'

Salvation Army Gambling Support Training

Salvation Army Problem Gambling

Salvation Army Gambling Support Groups

Do you have claim casino winnings. For interviews, please contact: Sophie Docker, Media Office, The Salvation Army: 0207 367 4517/0203 657 7555 or email:media@salvationarmy.org.uk