The Guardian and Observer newspapers have officially launched their 2025 charity appeal, marking a significant annual initiative that channels reader donations towards pressing social issues within the United Kingdom. This year's campaign will direct vital funds to four carefully selected partner organisations, each addressing a critical facet of the nation's ongoing cost-of-living and social welfare crises.
Meet the 2025 Appeal Partners
The four charities chosen for the 2025 appeal represent a strategic focus on combating poverty, homelessness, and loneliness. The first partner is Little Village, a London-based organisation operating like a "food bank for clothes, toys, and essentials" for babies and children under five. They provide crucial support to families struggling with the soaring costs of raising young children.
Joining them is Refugee and Migrant Voice, a charity dedicated to amplifying the stories and fighting for the rights of refugees and migrants in the UK. Their work highlights the often-hidden struggles of these communities as they navigate complex systems and integration challenges.
The third partner is Emmaus UK, a federation of communities that offers more than just a bed to people who have experienced homelessness. They provide a home, meaningful work in social enterprises, and a supportive community, tackling the root causes of social exclusion.
Completing the quartet is Re-engage, a national charity focused on alleviating loneliness among the very oldest people in society. Through volunteer-led tea parties and social activities, they work to rebuild connections for those aged 75 and over who live alone.
The Deepening Need for Support
The selection of these partners comes against a backdrop of intensifying need across the country. Charities report unprecedented demand for their services, driven by persistent high inflation, stagnant wages, and a fraying social safety net. Food bank usage has reached record levels, rough sleeping is visibly increasing in many towns and cities, and isolation remains a silent epidemic affecting millions.
Katharine Viner, Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that the appeal's partners are operating on the front lines of these interconnected crises. She noted that while the charities provide immediate, practical aid, their work also involves advocacy and long-term solutions to systemic problems.
How the Appeal Works and Its Impact
The appeal, which runs through the holiday period, relies on the generosity of Guardian and Observer readers. Every pound donated by the public is matched by a group of philanthropic funders, effectively doubling the value of each contribution. This matching mechanism has been a cornerstone of the appeal's success in previous years, maximising the impact of public giving.
Funds raised are distributed equally among the four partner charities. The appeal has a proud history, having raised over £15 million for more than 100 charities since its modern iteration began. Last year's appeal supported organisations tackling child poverty and digital exclusion, demonstrating the publication's commitment to evolving its focus based on the most urgent societal needs.
The chosen charities have outlined clear goals for the funding. Little Village aims to expand its network of hubs and support more families. Refugee and Migrant Voice plans to develop new platforms for storytelling and advocacy. Emmaus UK seeks to create more community places for those leaving homelessness behind, and Re-engage intends to reconnect thousands more isolated older people with their communities.
As the winter months approach, bringing heightened hardship for the most vulnerable, the launch of this appeal serves as a critical call to action. It highlights the powerful role community-supported journalism can play in not just reporting on society's challenges, but in actively mobilising resources to address them.
