Accu, an engineering company whose headquarters are based in Huddersfield, announced Hollybank Trust as their Charity of the Year back in spring 2024. The term ‘Charity of the Year’ refers to a designation of support from companies given to individual charities that are supported for a specific period.
This time last year, team members from both Accu and Hollybank were getting together to discuss ways in which the partnership could be mutually beneficial to both teams. Now, as the official Charity of Year partnership draws to close, Accu and Hollybank Trust have celebrated their wins together, such as creating traditions that strive for better confidence-building opportunities for people with disabilities, and establishing creative approaches to cross-team collaboration.
Team members from Accu and Hollybank attended an end of year presentation recently held in the Hollybank Trust social hub, where as a token of our appreciation for all the support they have provided to us this year, they were presented with a thank you card made by some of our young people and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
A small group of young people who attend Hollybank School have been helping out around the Accu warehouse, getting a taste of working life as part of an accessible work experience programme. One young person who we support has been coordinating the stockroom, enjoying her role as stockroom assistant! From delivering stock to the shelves of the warehouse, to labelling up small parcels, these tasks have improved her focus and instilled within her a newfound confidence.
Another member of the group acts as the group photographer during these work experience days, using her assistive technology button to take photos and videos of another resident. The introduction of new jobs to try out during their visits to Accu allow both of them to build confidence with learning new skills. Supported by support workers from Hollybank, both of our young people attend Accu for these work experience days on a frequent basis and will continue to do so as part of the ongoing connection between the two organisations.
These sessions have been a tremendous success, offering enriching experiences that make a lasting impact.
Demi-Leigh Searle, Employee Experience Manager at Accu, expressed: “We are thrilled to host students from Hollybank Trust for work experience. We are committed to providing them with meaningful experiences that enrich their lives.”
As well as our young people getting to spend some time at Accu, Accu volunteers have had the opportunity to spend some time at Hollybank Trust. Over the summer last year, a group of volunteers from the engineering company attended a Bollywood-themed celebration and learnt about the vibrant culture and customs of Hollybank staff, adults, children, and young people. The event featured breathtaking Bollywood dance performances, including traditional styles like Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Our volunteers joined in the fun, participating in dance and wheelchair dancing, ensuring everyone felt included and celebrated.
Team members from the engineering company have also learned more about the true spirit of volunteering through being involved in Volunteers’ Week, a national charitable initiative. From pulling on their gardening gloves to readying their paintbrushes, members of the Accu team from across all areas of the organisation have been joining forces with a common goal in mind: to offer their support Hollybank Trust in as many ways as possible!
Hollybank also welcomed guests from the engineering company to their annual Celebration Day, Scarecrow Festival, and Carols around the Tree event for Christmas, three major events in the calendar at the charity. The team members from Accu who attended the Celebration Day brought with them an interactive and accessible challenge in the form of a remote-control car circuit, which provided plenty of entertainment and struck up some healthy competition between staff members throughout the day. During the Scarecrow Festival event and Carols around the Tree event, the celebratory and positive atmosphere let the teams from the Mirfield based charity and Huddersfield based engineering company get to know one another better, building strong working relationships.
Hollybank team members were also on the guest list for a prestigious awards ceremony at Accu, where Accu received the King’s Award for Enterprise in National Trade.
Donations have been exchanged, with the Huddersfield based engineering company organising a heartfelt donation campaign which saw the company donate sensory toys to the charity based on a wish list set up by Hollybank Trust and passed on to the Accu team at their request. Hollybank have donated various art pieces created by their residents to Accu, which are on display in their wellbeing room and within their office space, serving as a reminder of the invaluable partnership which continues to go from strength to strength.
As well as having a presence at Hollybank events, Accu have also hosted their own fundraising events, such as a team pub quiz for staff from both organisations, and members of the local community. All funds raised went to Hollybank.
Over at Hollybank Trust, a presentation delivered by Anna O’Mahony, Chief Executive of the charity, marked the official end of the partnership, but we look forward to continuing our journey together, celebrating milestones and creating opportunities for all.
Anna said: “I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Accu for selecting us as their Charity of the Year. The generous support and commitment to our cause have made a significant impact. We are very thankful for the donations and fundraising over the last 12 months and also for the incredible opportunity for some young people to take up work experience at Accu. A true partnership!”
The partnership between Accu and Hollybank Trust is a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion. Together, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future – one dance step, donation, and act of kindness at a time.
Hollybank Trust is a registered Charity: 1043129
VAT Registration Number: 479 750144
