UPDATED ON 21st NOVEMBER
On Thursday 14th December, GC will host Mencap whilst they undertake their annual campaign to support homeless people with a wrapped shoebox gift filled with winter essentials.
Mencap service users who have a learning disability have been collecting shoeboxes and making decisions about what to include in the boxes. They're really looking forward to coming into central Manchester, and alongside GC volunteers, they'll wrap and fill shoe boxes with essential winter items and Christmas goodies – to spread some Christmas cheer to those less fortunate.
Later in the day, everyone involved will give the filled gift boxes to homeless people on the streets of Central Manchester, and any boxes left over will be given to homeless charities. This fun event is open to any GC colleague who wants to volunteer to support Mencap service users, and together we'll all work to help vulnerable people in our community.
The Aspire team took part last year and the atmosphere between volunteers and the hardworking Mencap service users was heart-warming, fun – and everyone smiled throughout the day. Frank Kinrade from Aspire Recruitment said:
“it was an amazing day, with Christmas music, stories and getting to meet so many wonderful people working together to give back to those who are most at risk in our society. It really gave us all a warm feeling inside, especially the appreciation and thanks from every homeless person we spoke to when giving a gift and saying, “Merry Christmas” was really an amazing feeling”.
There are two different ways colleagues can get involved this year - and this includes colleagues who may not be based in Manchester:
- Volunteer at Lee House to wrap and fill shoe boxes alongside Mencap service users – all day on Thursday 14th December, and then hit the streets to meet homeless people to spread some Christmas cheer, please register your interest here – please press start to include your details – places are limited. We now have enough volunteers.
- Donate cash to help Mencap to purchase the items to put in the shoe boxes – you can do this by visiting Mencaps Justgiving page This is a really important part of the process - please help where you can.
For more information, please contact frank.kinrade@aspirerecruitment.org.uk. We hope you can join in some early Christmas cheer and help us to give back to homeless people and those with a learning disability to gain new skills, meet people and most of all have loads of fun!
Check out some of the photos from last year's activity...
