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Give and Gain Day aims to connect skilled professionals with community volunteering projects. This day is part of Business in the Community’s campaign to encourage employers to give back to the community by allowing their staff to volunteer in work time.
Santia is a proud supporter of Give and Gain Day and on Friday 17th May 2013, 24 employees volunteered to contribute to two local projects; the YMCA, Mountain Ash and Maerdy Community Park and Primary School.
This is the work that needed to be completed at the YMCA:
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Here are some photos of the Maerdy Community Park before the volunteers started:
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There was a lot of work to be completed on both projects, including painting, planting, litter collection and flooring. Our volunteers were up for the challenge and were joined by other local businesses willing to help out.
Here are the highlights from Maerdy Community Park and Primary School:
All our volunteers were eager and ready to get started.
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Pupils from the school were getting ready to help litter pick.
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“It was a great day up Maerdy, especially for the kids as they really enjoyed themselves.” Craig Farquhar
The fences desperately needed a fresh coat of paint and our volunteers didn’t mind getting stuck in.
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The before photos show that the play area needed brightening up. Our volunteers were keen to make it more welcoming.
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“Everyone was in good spirits all day, it was very infectious.” Ben Knowles
“It was a really enjoyable and worthwhile day, I was on the team that was painting the children’s playground and it was so satisfying to see that the task was completed and the playground looked bright and new, the teams doing the perimeter painting and planting must have been pleased with their handiwork. Would love to do it again.” Carol Thomas
A well earned lunch break.
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After lunch pupils from the school put on a concert to show their appreciation to the volunteers. This was very well received by all the volunteers in Maerdy who thought the singing was fantastic.
“Taking part in the Give & Gain Day event has not only been a lot of fun, but also inspiring for everyone who took part. There was a huge amount of team spirit on the day and knowing that we have a made a difference to local communities made all the hard work worthwhile.” Tammy James
The volunteers were joined by some pupils and their parents who were happy to help plant some flowers.
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“Wonderful day, really feel like we made a difference. Love to do it again.” Julie Lintern
Santia Chief Executive, Jane Hext came along to show her support for Give and Gain Day.
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“Everyone enjoyed the day working at Graigwen Primary school – what struck me was the way everybody got stuck in – total strangers (from all walks of life) working side by side and enjoying it. Look forward to the next give and gain day.” Mike Williams
View the full photo album here.
YMCA, Mountain Ash
Five young people live in the YMCA and our volunteers were more than happy to help them paint their rooms in their favourite colours. Prior to Give and Gain Day the YMCA had failed a health and safety inspection; the help from all the volunteers prevented the YMCA from closing.
Here are the highlights from the YMCA, Mountain Ash:
Doing the YMCA to get everyone in the mood.
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Sanding down the railings outside the YMCA.
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“I enjoyed it but I’m really tired now and feel like falling asleep.” Andrew Western
A well earned tea break after some hard work outside.
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“What struck me the most was how with so many people from so many different backgrounds so much could get done so quickly. We pretty much painted an entire building in 5 hours. Awesome.” Chris Rosser
One of the YMCA staff made a fabulous cake to say thank you to all the volunteers. Not only did it look fantastic but it tasted great too.
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Making the YMCA more welcoming.
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Jane Hext, Santia Chief Executive came along to show her support. Pictured on the right in red is Andrew Lycett, Chief Executive from RCT Homes helping out.
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Our volunteers were hard at work painting all the rooms of the YMCA.
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“I can’t believe that painting is such hard work, all that stretching and bending……” Rhys Williams
Our volunteers were pleased to see the kitchen was being painted Santia red.
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“An amazing day, really hard work but very fulfilling as well as being great fun. As I was painting I gave some serious thought to the residents of the building and what personal circumstances lead someone to need the help of organisations such as the YMCA, and how easy it would be for anyone of us to find ourselves in such circumstances during our lives. A very humbling and grounding experience.” Cherry Richards
All the volunteers after a busy day at the YMCA.
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“I was shocked to find five young people living at the YMCA in tiny rooms. It makes you appreciate what you have.” Lynn New
View the full photo album here.
Thanks to all our volunteers for their contributions to these deserving projects. Give and Gain Day 2013 was a great success.