Creating good vibrations

At the end of October, we officially kicked off our ‘Good Vibes Culture and Community Programme’ which is made up of monthly activities that we’re doing as a team to promote and generate positivity.

We started a work day with a breakfast together with a delivery from Greggs – after all we are based in the North!

Brandi, our office dog and overall feel-good pooch, also enjoyed her plate of sausages.

If you go down to the woods today…

In November we all took a lunchtime winter walk through Plessey Woods – a local country park situated on the north bank of the River Blyth, in Northumberland. Despite the wet intervals we all enjoyed wrapping up, wearing something green in support of National Tree Week, and having a walk and a natter. We even saw a beautiful rainbow at the end of the route (sadly we weren’t quick enough with the camera).

In recognition of it being the 50^th anniversary of the famous ‘Plant a Tree in 73’ organised by The Tree Council, we also sponsored the World Land Trust to plant 16 trees. You can find out more and make your own contribution here > https://woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Food for thought

December’s activity involved the team filling up an extra basket at the shop in aid of St Vincent’s in Newcastle.

The community centre, which is a project of St Vincent de Paul Society, has a café where it offers a free weekly lunch service on a Tuesday, has a community dance space, offers a number of classes and support to individuals and families in the North East. It’s a safe space that offers a place to get support and even just the opportunity to talk to someone.

As a team, we donated a number of food and toiletry items for St Vincent’s to use in its Christmas hampers for families.

The day we took along our contributions they were busy setting up for their Thursday market, which was Christmas themed. So, we were also lucky enough to purchase a few gifts, with all proceeds going back into the centre.

If you’re able to, you can make your own donation of tinned and long-life food, clothing, toys, and sleeping bags to St Vincent’s on Newbridge Street in Newcastle. Or if you’re unable to donate physical items you can donate through its JustGiving page that is fundraising to provide Christmas meals > https://lnkd.in/gN_7pZh7

Keeping it festive

December’s activities will also include mince pie tasting, our Christmas meal, as well as hosting a Christmas jumper day in aid of Save the Children and exchanging Secret Santa gifts and playing a few Christmas games and a quiz!

This year, the office will close from Friday 22 December and will reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2024. And we have a packed calendar of activities to look forward to – to create and share Good Vibes.

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you well this Christmas and into the new year.