Delivering Joy
This summer, we're working with local schools and charities to deliver fun-filled goodie bags to kids whose summer holidays need a boost.
The summer holidays aren't fun for every family. In the year 2021-2022, we learned that 4.2 million children across the UK are living in poverty - that's nine children in every school class of 30.* During the summer holidays, families of these children struggle even more without the childcare, free school meals and wraparound care that schools provide.
We know that we can make a difference. At Christmas, we Delivered Joy in the form of presents donated by our customers and colleagues to over 62,000 to people in the UK who might have otherwise not received gifts. And, our Kids Eat Free campaign runs all year round in our Pausa cafes - with extended hours over the school holidays.
This year, we want to do more. So, we're asking for your help to fill handmade bags with activites, games and toys to help little ones have a bit more fun this summer.
*Households Below Average Income, Statistics on the number and percentage of people living in low income households for financial years 1994/95 to 2021/22, Table 1.4b. Department for Work and Pensions, 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-for-financial-years-ending-1995-to-2021
1. Collect a bag
Pick up a handmade bag in store*
Our teams of super sewists and keen crafters have been working hard to make beautiful handmade bags which can be filled with fun for the summer. The bags can also be used to carry PE kits and other school supplies once they've been passed on to local little ones, too.
2. Fill with fun
Fill the bag with activities that match the tag.
We've worked with local schools and charities to ensure that each bag has a tag - on the tag are the details of a local child: their age, and the things they love. That means that you can fill it with things you know they're going to love.
When you're filling your bag, don't forget: not everything needs to be new. Well-cared for and clean second-hand toys, books and games are more than welcome. You could even make toys and games to pop in there.
3. Return your bag
Drop your filled bag back in store by 30th June.
We're going to make sure every child receives their bag in time for the summer holidays, so we need the bags returned to our stores by 30th June. And don't forget - you can follow the story of our little bags of joy by joining your store's Community Facebook Group.
Altrincham, Ashton Under Lyne, Blackpool, Chester, Liverpool, Radcliffe, St Helens, Stockport, Warrington, Bangor, Blackburn, Bolton, Bromborough, Garston, Preston, Southport, Trafford, Wrexham.
We're only delivering little bags of joy in selected stores this summer - but we've got great community projects happening in every store. To find out what's on near you and get involved, head to your stores's Community Facebook Group.
FAQs
Sorry, but for safety reasons we can't accept:
- Any food items
- Any bath or body products (including lip balm and bath bombs)
- Any second hand electrical toys. Electrical or battery-operated toys need to be new and in their original packaging for us to accept them.
Every single bag is checked by our in-store colleagues, against a set of guidelines. We've compiled these guidelines with the help and guidance of the schools and charities we're working with.
Not at all. As long as the content of the gift bag matches the info on the tag, and will bring joy to the person on the tag, you can fill it with any games, toys or activities you like. Also, don't forget: the things in your bag don't need to be new. Good condition, clean and working second-hand toys, books and games are welcome.
No, this isn’t a money-making venture. This is a joy-delivering venture! We just want to support our communities and brighten the days of some of the most vulnerable members of society. We’ll also be donating gifts to be delivered alongside yours.
If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for on this page, post a message on your local Community Group or ask a colleague in-store. Either way they’ll be happy to help!
We’re keeping a detailed log at each store to track bags taken and gifts returned. As each bag represents a real child, we’re encouraging people to only take a bag if they are certain they can return it filled with gifts. If there are instances where bags have not been returned to stores, we will of course replace them to make sure every child receives a little bag of joy.
Unfortunately not. We need all the bags to be back at our stores for Friday 30th June so that we have time to deliver each one before the summer holidays. It’s really important that we meet that deadline to help us Deliver Joy!
Each of our stores has committed to supporting specific local schools, care homes and refuge partners, however, where stores are able to support additional organisations, they are doing so. It’s always worth asking, so please contact the management team at your local store to see if they’re able to help.
Yes of course! If you are able to give more than one bag, we and the recipients will be so thankful. All we ask is that you only take bag that you’ll definitely be able to fill, as we don’t want to disappoint anyone.
We don't have children's names or locations on the tags. We only feature their age, and the type of toys or games they would like to receive. This should give enough of a hint to gift-buyers, without sharing anything extra. The information on the tags is kept to a minimum to protect identities and ensure we’re GDPR compliant (these are strict data protection rules). We take safeguarding very seriously. If you do happen to see a tag with more information than is necessary, please let us know so we can fix it immediately.
As our super sewists have only created so many handmade bags this summer, once they've been filled there won't be any spares. However: there is always going to be a way to get involved and help support your local community. For more information, please head to your local Dunelm Community Facebook group to see what's on, or speak to a colleague if you happen to be going to a store.
Take the voucher and your lucky little one to a Pausa Cafe of your choosing. Present the voucher at the till, where the team will scan the barcode and present you with your free kids’ meal, which includes a mini-main, two snacks and a drink. Delish!
You don’t need to spend anything to use it, but there are a few rules: the voucher is single use, needs to be redeemed by closing time on 30th September 2023, and the child must be 16 or under.