ARAG offers year-long support to Operation Community Hamper

Operation Community Hamper (OCH) is once again spreading joy to families, older people and individuals across the Bristol area who might otherwise miss out on the magic of Christmas. This year, ARAG has offered 12 months of access to its legal advice helpline, for those using the OCH services. The initiative also aligns with wider efforts to support low-income families as part of ARAG’s global commitment to offer free legal advice to those facing financial or housing challenges.

OCH works via referrals from social services, schools and healthcare organisations. The charity collects donations of luxury foods and festive treats from local and national businesses and individuals to create hampers for those in need. Volunteers in the community also buy selected gifts for families.

This year, more than 1,300 households will benefit from the generosity of supporters including First Bus, UWE, BrisDoc, Bidfood, WPA Healthcare, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Gloucestershire Cricket, who provide vital resources and volunteer support.

OCH operates entirely through volunteers and local partnerships, ensuring every donation makes a direct impact.

OCH Founder Charlotte Churchill said:

It’s so heart warming to see so many businesses joining forces with us and we really appreciate the support ARAG is giving. It will make an immense difference to households who are financially vulnerable. We have already received lovely messages from recipients about how our gifts have transformed Christmas for them. Operation Community Hamper aims to spread Christmas cheer throughout the year and ARAG’s support will help us deliver this.

ARAG CEO Dave Haynes added:

ARAG’s whole purpose is about giving people affordable access to justice. In the UK, that has always been through an insurance product, but we recognise that a lot of families may not have the opportunity or the means to get that insurance. Operation Community Hamper has given us a great platform to reach out and offer families a benefit that could be really useful to them over the next year. It’s a fantastic, local initiative and a charity that we’re very pleased to support.