The decision to organise the collections and make the donations was made following community and daily planning meetings. Adam Robinson, Occupational Therapist, explains: “Discussions took place around the current economic climate and the difficulties being faced by many people across the UK. Thinking about how we can help it was suggested we arrange some collections to donate to local people who may need a bit more support this year.
“After contacting local charities three collections were started, food, clothes and toys. Between everyone at Cygnet Aspen Clinic a full trolley of food was donated to Food Aware Community Interest Company in Mexborough, eight bags of toys to the Banana Box Toy Project in Doncaster and ten bags of clothes to the Clothing Bank near Pontefract.”
When they delivered the donations to Food Aware one of the service users, Clair, and Paige an activity coordinator, also got involved with making up food parcels which were then delivered later that afternoon. They were made to feel very welcome by the team at Food Aware.
The team at Cygnet Aspen Clinic have also been invited back early next year to get involved with other volunteer projects.