The Thoughtful Christmas Shop
The Thoughtful Christmas Shop has been created to support families experiencing financial hardship by giving parents and carers the opportunity to choose Christmas gifts for their own children.
The project aims to provide a welcoming, festive experience that promotes dignity, choice and compassion.
Access is through DF4TA’s registered referral portal. This page is for registered partner organisations, agencies, schools, community projects and support workers submitting referrals on behalf of families.
Who can be referred?
Referrals should be made for households experiencing crisis or financial hardship that meet our agreed support criteria and would benefit from additional help with Christmas gifts for their children.
Each referral will be considered individually. Meeting one of these circumstances does not automatically guarantee access to the project.
- Those who have applied for universal credit and have not yet received a payment
- If you have had a change in benefit circumstances
- Those affected by physical and mental health issues
- People who are in financial hardship and are accepting support in addressing the root causes
- If you are in a situation that has led to being short-term homeless or in the process of being rehoused
- Victims of a crime which has left them in a difficult situation short-term
- People who have no access to public funds, but who are requesting support in addressing the root causes
- Anyone facing a significant life issue, which is affecting their financial situation
The project is intended for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
The referral form will be open from Monday 9th November at 9am until Friday 4th December at 4pm.
How the referral process works
- A referral must be made by a registered refer of DF4TA.
A support worker, school etc. - Complete the referral form
Submit the Thoughtful Christmas Shop referral form below, ensuring all required information is accurate and that the family has consented to the referral. - DF4TA reviews the referral
The DF4TA team will assess the referral against the agreed eligibility criteria. We may contact you if further information is required. - The outcome is communicated
DF4TA will confirm the referral outcome and explain the next steps. A submitted referral does not automatically guarantee a place. - Approved families receive their arrangements
Approved families will receive information about appointment arrangements, location, what to expect and the contribution required. - Families visit the Thoughtful Christmas Shop
Parents and carers will be able to browse and choose gifts for their own children from the stock available.
The family contribution
Families accessing The Thoughtful Christmas Shop will be asked to contribute 10% of the retail value of each gift they choose.
The contribution will be calculated using the gift’s retail value.
Contributions will be reinvested into the project to help purchase gifts where donations are insufficient and cover essential supplies, including wrapping paper, gift tags and gift bags.
Examples:
- £5 retail value = 50p contribution.
- £10 retail value = £1 contribution.
- £15 retail value = £1.50 contribution.
- £20 retail value = £2 contribution.
Please ensure families understand this arrangement before submitting a referral. The contribution helps sustain the project and is not intended to cover the full cost of the gifts.
There may be circumstances where a family may not be able to contribute, please add the reason to the referral notes and we will have this discussion as part of the referral process.
Access to The Thoughtful Christmas Shop remains subject to the referral assessment, eligibility criteria, available stock and project capacity.
Important information
- Referrals must be submitted by a registered DF4TA referral partner.
- Family consent must be obtained before information is shared.
- All referrals are subject to eligibility assessment.
- A referral does not guarantee a support.
- Access is subject to available stock and project capacity.
- Please do not promise families particular gifts or items.
- The family contribution and arrangements must be explained before submission.
Our aim is to make the process fair, consistent and dignified for every household.
The referral form will be open from Monday 9th November at 9am until Friday 4th December at 4pm.