We’d like to thank the team at The Works and the Uckfield community for their extraordinary generosity during the Christmas season and leading up to it. The support demonstrated through the astounding number of donations, has made an overwhelming difference to our organisation and the families we serve.
The final collection of fantastic donations was done during our Christmas sessions by two of our All Stars accompanied by a support worker. They delighted in having a sneak peak at the items, discussing which toys they were interested in or who out of their peers would love it.
The donations included a diverse array of toys, teddies, sensory items, books, and games which have been instrumental in supporting us in various ways. From sensory items to fidget toys, all items have brought joy to lives of children with special educational needs. The fidget toys aid in re-regulating and focusing children that may find this challenging by themselves. Sensory toys, designed to engage a child’s senses, provide tactile experiences that encourage exploration, learning, and development. All of these new resources add excitement and encourage growth for the children and young people in our care.
Not only have the donations injected fun into our centre in Uckfield but they also played a pivotal role in making our annual ‘Winter Wonderland’ event a resounding success. This event allows families facing unique challenges to partake in the festive spirit, as many of the children cannot attend conventional public events like a Christmas grotto due to their complex needs. The donations enabled us to provide every family attending a prize of exciting treats to make their Christmas extra special.
Additionally, the donated items were utilised to create surprise Christmas goody bags for the children and their siblings who accessed our respite sessions over the holidays. Each bag contained items catered to their individual interests. This would make them feel understood and valued knowing someone had taken the time to pick things they like. This is particularly important for children and families who may struggle to experience a sense of safety and security in their everyday lives.
As we reflect on the positive impact these donations have had, we want to share our immense appreciation for the generous community we are based in. Once again, thank you to The Works, the Uckfield community, and all our supporters for being instrumental in spreading joy and creating meaningful experiences for local families.