This in from Tanya on behalf of Sainsbury’s Isle of Wight, in her own words. Ed
A year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support from Sainsbury’s Newport Isle of Wight has made a huge difference to the Children and Young people supported by YMCA Young Carers Service.
The Young Carers service
Young Carers are aged between five and 18 who care for a relative with a debilitating condition.
The Service provides respite activities for Young Carers and ensures that their wellbeing and education are not affected by their caring.
Thanks to generous donations from customers, the store has announced they have raised £2,534 in total.
Successful partnership
On 20th June, colleagues from the store, including Deputy Managers Alison Abrook & Jackie Foxworthy, the charity members at Sainsbury’s Newport Store, met with Steve Baker the Young Carers Manager and Support Worker Kelly Edwards and Activity Organiser Trudie Augustus- Harris to celebrate the successful partnership and complete the Year.
It’s been an amazing 12 months for the charity after they entered Sainsbury’s Isle of Wight Local Charity voting process back in May 2012. For the last five years, the retailer gives customers nationwide the chance to vote for their favourite Local Charity, to be considered to receive a year’s worth of support from their nearby Sainsbury’s store.
When the charity were announced as Newport Isle of Wight’s new Local Charity partner for 2013/2014, Steve Baker the Young Carers Service Manager couldn’t wait to get started:
“For a big retailer like Sainsbury’s to confirm a year’s partnership with us was just incredible news. I remember getting the phone-call and having a big grin on my face! We had our first meeting shortly after and we worked up some great ideas that we hoped would create great feedback with the store’s customers and colleagues.”
Fundraising events
Throughout the last 12 months, colleagues at the store held several activities to raise funds and awareness of the charity. These included quiz nights, and dressing up days, which helped raise funds.
Meanwhile, Young Carers and their families also took part in bag packing, face painting and Carol singing, which helped to fund more activities such as a day of Tree Climbing and other activities in Parkhurst Forest plus Horse Riding and trips to the Theatre at Christmas.
Despite the partnership coming to a close, it doesn’t mean that the charity will now be forgotten, as Store Manager Paul Dyer explains:
“Our colleagues have really enjoyed working with YMCA Young Carers and it’s certainly touched the hearts of many of them that before didn’t necessary have a direct link to them. We know what an important part they play in the community and we hope the year-long partnership has helped remind our customers of the valuable service they provide in Isle of Wight Thanks to the partnership, we’ll certainly now be looking into ways we can support them in the future.”
In fact one member of Staff from Sainsbury’s has become a regular Volunteer with the Young Carers Service.
The partnership has helped the Young Carers Service to arrange more respite activities for the 279 Young Carers they have in the service and Steve Baker would like to thank the admirable efforts of customers and the Sainsbury’s Newport Isle of Wight team:
Steve Baker said:
“Working with Sainsbury’s Newport Isle of Wight over the last 12 months has made quite a difference to our cause. Through our joint raised a fantastic amount which we’re using towards more activities which we are putting on this summer holidays for Young Carers, we’re now looking forward to working with Sainsbury’s on future opportunities.”
Vote for this year’s charity
Customers now have the chance to vote for a Local Charity to be Sainsbury’s Isle of Wight new Local Charity Partner. Voting takes place from 28th May to 8th June, while customers can also vote online from 28th May by going to the website.
A shortlist of nominations will be drawn up after the closing date and the store’s colleagues will then invite the three charities that they feel best fit the needs of the community into store to talk about how Sainsbury’s can support them. The chosen charity will be selected based on the reasons given and the store will announce their chosen charity in July.
