Author: Rahel Abegas

Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming the team from Yorkshire Building Society to our charity headquarters for a special visit centred around community support and financial wellbeing.

The team spent time speaking with our staff and community members, answering questions, offering practical money‑management tips, and sharing information about the helpful services they provide.

Many of the people we support may feel overwhelmed by financial decisions, so having a friendly team take the time to explain things clearly made a real difference. It wasn’t about formal financial advice — it was about guidance, reassurance, and empowering people with knowledge.

Their visit is a reminder of what’s possible when organisations come together with a shared purpose. By combining the YBS team’s financial insight with our mission to support the community, we’re helping build stronger, more informed, and more confident futures for the people we serve.

We’re incredibly grateful for their time, their energy, and their genuine commitment to making a positive impact, and we look forward to seeing what our collaboration will look like in the future. 💚🌱

Last week, we gathered a small group of our Out of School Club members and asked them a simple question:

“What’s the best part of Holiday Club?”

We expected a mix of fun answers — and we got them.
Football. Basketball. Dodgeball. Arts and crafts.
The classic favourites.

But then, something lovely happened.

As each child took their turn, their words reminded us of something far bigger than activities. They talked about meeting new friends, feeling safe, being creative, and having a place where they can just be themselves.

In their own natural, honest way, they captured exactly why our team shows up every day.

These moments — the laughter, the friendships forming, the shy confidence growing, the creativity spilling out of them — are the heartbeat of what we do. They’re the reason we put so much care into creating an environment that feels welcoming, inspiring and secure.

This short video is more than a fun holiday project.
It’s a reminder that for many children, the holidays are about belonging — and we’re incredibly proud to provide a space where that belonging thrives.

This is why we do what we do.
This is what drives us.

🎥 Fun fact: every child nailed their part in one take — the kids were absolute stars! The authenticity and excitement carried it all⭐😄

It was lovely to see Carolyn representing Mindful Maker CIC at last week’s SEND event. She welcomed around 18 participants — parents included, for a fun painting activity.

The activity itself went really well, with some many brilliant masterpieces made! While some children found the sensory aspect of paint a little challenging, many others fully embraced it and seemed to really enjoy the process. Seeing such a range of experiences is always a reminder of the importance of creating accessible, flexible creative spaces.

a 10‑year‑old girl who adores painting and crafting spent a long time working at the table. She created four painted stones and even sketched a character. She told Carolyn that crafting helped her feel relaxed and happy — exactly the kind of positive impact we hope for.

The girl also helped translate for her mother, who painted a stone depicting a traditional Ukrainian hut. At the end of the session, both of them kindly stayed behind to help with tidying up, which meant a lot. ❣️

Thank you to Carolyn for hosting such a great interactive session, we look forward to running more activities like these in the future.