On Monday 1 December and Tuesday 2 December, Northmoor in Longsight and The Primrose Centre in Oldham came to life with teamwork and community spirit as around 20 Great Places colleagues spread across the two days, gathered for our second round of TOinC Days (Time Out in Communities), supporting our annual Winter Warmer Campaign.
In addition to colleagues who supported the TOinC Days in Northmoor and Oldham, 15 Great Places colleagues volunteered last week to call nearly 200 customers who were due to receive their Winter Warmer pack.
This means that across the two weeks of activity, a total of 35 colleagues gave their time to support this year’s Winter Warmer Campaign – whether by making calls, delivering packs, or helping at community centres.
This campaign is part of our Financial Resilience initiative, providing essential winter-related products to customers who need them most. In total, 52 packs were given to customers across Northmoor and 51 to customers in Oldham.
How it went…
Colleagues split into pairs, with some based at the community centres (Northmoor Community Centre and The Primrose Centre) where customers could walk in to collect their items, while others ventured into the neighbourhoods to deliver packs directly to customers’ doors.
The deliveries went smoothly, and the appreciation from customers was clear – some even offered cups of tea and sweets as a thank you!
One customer, Roland Marcel, who collected his pack at the Primrose Centre, shared:
“I like coming here to help people and be a part of the community; it’s like home.”
Roland is a regular volunteer at the centre and supports activities such as litter-picking initiatives, so it was great to give something back to him.
Colleague reflections
Sarah Thornber, Colleague Experience and Inclusion Coordinator at Great Places –
“Volunteering for TOinC Days as part of our Winter Warmer Campaign is a chance to make a real difference when it matters most. By giving just, a little of our time, we can help provide comfort and essentials to those who need them most in our communities. It’s about coming together, showing we care, and making winter a little warmer for everyone.”
Abbie Clark, Assistant Accountant at Great Places –
“I had a brilliant time – it was a rewarding experience and the goods were well received.”
Katie Sheldrie, IT Trainer at Great Places –
“To give some time to our communities and bring support that will help them in these current times is what this time of year is all about for me.”
Alastair Cooper, Financial Resilience Manager at Great Places –
“The Winter Warmer Campaign has been running for the past couple of years, and for customers who struggle to heat their homes, it’s more than a gesture. Heated blankets and hot water bottles help vulnerable customers stay warm and protect their health. It was fantastic to see colleagues from different teams come together with shared purpose – it couldn’t have happened without you all!”
