IT’S that time of the year for The Albion Foundation as the charity headed into the local community for their annual Give Back Day.
The 2018 instalment saw staff hold a Christmas Party to four of the Foundation's community partners as a thank you for their work with the charity this year.
Staff were on hand at Tividale Primary School, The Orchard School, Portway Lifestyle Centre and the charity's dementia group, Albion Memories, to offer the services of their staff and provide a day of festivities for participants.
"It's great to get out and see each of the venues and the staff interacting with the young people and adults," said Rob Lake, the Foundation's Director.
"It's special to see the way they are with them," he continued.
"The empathy, the passion they've got for their work and their energy. It's a very humbling experience to see them working with the participants we've got today."
The Orchard School in Oldbury supports children with profound disabilities and learning difficulties, whilst the Portway Lifestyle Centre works with adults with disabilities and learning difficulties, two venues that Rob believes had a positive impact on his staff in attendance.
"Days like today are also a good teambuilding opportunity for my staff.
"They are working with people they might not regularly see, due to being in different departments of the charity.
"It's also taking them out of their comfort zone to see some of the participants we work with that have profound disabilities - I think it puts everything into perspective for them, particularly at this time of year."
Ryan Bosley was one of the participants at Portway and had a day to remember.
"We played dodgeball today and it was really fun.
"The Foundation is helpful and supportive and it's great that they're holding this today."
Merry Christmas from all at The Albion Foundation!