Supporting Hull Homeless Community Project
This year our apprentices in The Maltings and Bridgehead have chosen four charities that will benefit from fundraising activities, volunteering sessions and brand advocacy: Hull Homeless Community Project (HHCP), Yorkshire Cancer Research, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and Aaron's Battle.
The first community project for HHCP began on Monday 4th February, with the apprentices placing collection bins in the canteens and encouraging all of their colleagues to donate essential items. To make this easier for everyone, they recommended that fellow employees add one extra item to their basket or trolley each time they go shopping. This way it has minimal effect on the weight of the groceries and the total of the bill, yet it has an enormous positive impact to how the charity operates.
These items will be used by HHCP as part of its Move On project, which helps individuals and families who have been victims of homelessness to transition into independent living. The HHCP team starts with a house that needs plenty of TLC and revitalises it from top to bottom, from clearing out debris and scrubbing surfaces, to painting walls and adding pieces of furniture. The organisation then kits out these living environments with useful items that make a house a home, including cleaning products, toiletries, cutlery, nappies and baby food. Our apprentices also suggest donating paint and paintbrushes, as they can be used during the refurbishment stage.
"The SGS apprentices are at an age where they’re in a great position to better understand their place in the community," says Andrew Smith, CEO at HHCP. "They're becoming more aware of others around them, feeding their hunger for learning about social issues, and discovering how they can make a difference on a daily basis."
We're very thankful to all of our colleagues who have already donated, and welcome everyone to get involved to some degree. Whether you add a single item or contribute on a regular basis, you can rest assured that the items you donate will go to someone who will greatly appreciate them. Whilst a toothbrush or a bottle of bleach may not seem like a big deal to you, to the recipients they signify the difference between being homeless and having their own private sanctuary. On top of this, they benefit from knowing that complete strangers value their wellbeing, which can provide a massive boost to their mental health and self-esteem.
"Each apprentice and their hundreds of colleagues in Hull are already taking huge steps towards improving local lives," adds Andrew. "This is incredibly heart-warming and massively appreciated by everyone at HHCP - please keep up the good work!"
There’s all kinds of activity taking place across SGS Packaging Europe’s offices, so keep up to date by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. And don't forget to donate to our apprentices' fundraiser in aid of the above charities, as every pound will make an enormous difference.
