Secret Santa can divide a room. For some, it’s one of the best parts of the Christmas party — a chance to have a laugh and bring the team together. For others, it’s the mild dread of receiving something generic from someone you’ve never spoken to, destined for the bin before January.
A conversation with one of our charities sparked a different idea. What if we could redirect that energy — and that budget — somewhere it would actually matter?
The Raise Your Hands Secret Santa Challenge was born.
MV Credit takes on the Challenge
In December, the team at MV Credit rolled up their sleeves.
Instead of exchanging presents among themselves, they spent an afternoon tracking down essential wellbeing gifts for young people living with HIV. They wrapped 40 parcels over mince pies and festive songs, then sent them off to reach families in time for Christmas — especially welcome at a time when so many are facing soaring costs and can’t afford to treat themselves or their children.
“Staff at MV Credit really enjoyed buying presents for young people living with HIV. The wrapping coincided with our Christmas staff party, and it really brought home the spirit of Christmas.”
– Anne-Marie Kesselman, MV Credit
Why it matters
Living with HIV can be isolating. For young people navigating diagnosis, treatment, and the social pressures that come with it, small acts of connection carry real weight. Feeling remembered by strangers — people who chose to spend their time and care on you — can shift something.
Amanda Ely, CEO of Chiva, the charity that received the gifts, put it plainly:
“I was at a clinic last week, with a young person who is not managing her medication. She talked about how much it had meant to receive a present from Chiva last Christmas, how surprised and happy she had been to receive the gift in the post. She has been struggling with her mood and mental health and these small acts can really help.”
– Amanda Ely, CEO at Chiva
A afternoon. Forty parcels. One young person who felt, for a moment, that someone was thinking of her.
That’s what good employee engagement looks like.
About Raise Your Hands Partners We’re a UK-based social impact consultancy working exclusively with finance firms, asset managers, and PE houses to build bespoke corporate giving and volunteering programmes. Since 2015, we’ve directed over £4M to a vetted portfolio of 16 high-impact small charities supporting children and young people across the UK.
If you’d like to explore what this could look like for your team, we’d love to hear from you.
