Graduates Get Digging for Local Charity!

Graduates from Smiths News spent the day helping a local charity with a spot of gardening as part of the company’s Community Link -Up Programme.

Smiths News Graduates Get Digging for Local Charity!

A group of eight current and ex-participants of the company's Graduate Scheme (Ken Ingham, Anya Perry, Emma Allan, Fern Sandercock, Emma Wilkinson, Matt Watson, Chloe Richards and Sam Lucas) were happy to lend a helping hand to The Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, digging flower beds and planting shrubs to provide an attractive space and relaxation areas for the users of the Centre.

The Centre has been set up to provide alternative therapies to patients with chronic neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Cerebral Palsy, and is wholly funded by fundraising and donations.

Emma Wilkinson, Procurement Manager said: “We initially thought about doing this project as it would be a great way for all eight ex-graduates to get to get together and incorporate the day into the company's Community Programme event, Link-Up Fortnight and we are so glad we did.

Not only did it give us the chance to practise working together cross functionally on a project which will serve us well in the work place, but it also gave us the opportunity to help out an amazing charity.”

The Centre also offers oxygen therapy treatments and physiotherapy, as well as counselling services and seated exercise classes for those with restricted movement. Many of the visitors to the Swindon Therapy Centre are not able to get out of their house unaided and as such they rely on a community transport service to bring them to the Centre.

Louise Walker, Deputy Manager from Swindon MS Therapy Centre said: “Thank you so much for doing our front garden, it looks absolutely great. I have had lots of lovely comments from people this week so will you please pass on my thanks to your team for doing such a fantastic job.”