Tag Archive for: charity

Claire Christmas

Dogsbody Technology Charity Donations 2024

/0 Comments/in /by

Every year Dogsbody Technology donate a percentage of our profits to good causes.

For the last four years we have let our staff pick the charities that are important to them. We are honoured to support their chosen causes…

Mark

Starburst helps local children with special needs, disabilities and life limiting conditions by funding equipment (often specialist or bespoke) to help them achieve their full potential day-to-day.

Josh

Dads House is doing the absolutely vital but often unseen work of ensuring that what’s best for the children of divorced parents are kept front and centre in any parental arrangements. As the primary care giver to my two girls and a ‘stay at home dad’ of 10 years, I have lived the reality of sacrifice and joy that such a role brings. I know full well the importance of the fathers role in the upbringing of the children and fully support the amazing offering Dads House brings to this underserved area of need.

Claire

Phyllis Tuckwell has always held a special place in my heart. I know so many local people who have been supported by them over the years.

Phyllis Tuckwell is the only Hospice Care service for adult patients, and their families, living with cancer or another terminal illness (such as heart, lung or neurological disease) across the whole of West Surrey and part of North East Hampshire. They are currently raising funds for a new hospice to caters for the ever growing need for their services.

Dan

It surprises me that even in this new age we still see a stigma regarding mental health. This is borne out in the suicide rates continuing to increase year on year. Males aged 45-49 years have now overtaken the Males under 40 as having the the highest suicide rate. Males are still 5 times more likely to take their life than Females.

Andys Man Club want to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health to create a judgment-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives. They achieve this through weekly, free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18.

Get with the Program logo

Company Choice

This year we wanted to add another charity that is close to our hearts; we are also proud to support Get with the Program and sponsor another coding adventure in a local schools. They do such an amazing job at introducing children to coding and logic. We’d also encourage you to contact your local school to see if they would be interested in this for their students!

We hope you agree it is a great mix of charities and wonderful charities to support.

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY WINTER, CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, KWANZAA AND A GREAT 2025

Claire Christmas

Dogsbody Technology Charity Donations 2023

/0 Comments/in /by

Dogsbody Technology every year donate a percentage of our profits to good causes.

For the last three years we have let our staff pick the charities that are important to them. We are honoured to support their chosen causes…

Mark

The Vine Centre are a small charity located in Aldershot that seeks to support the most vulnerable members of the community. Their work covers many aspects including socially isolated adults and families, mental health support, homelessness, addiction, and learning difficulties. They do great work.

Daniel

Supporting this charity is important to me having had a grandparent suffered from dementia and seeing their decline was heartbreaking. Any research or knowledge gained to help improve or prevent the onset of dementia is a great thing to support.

Josh

It’s such an obvious, beautiful idea. Simple and completely clear of purpose – feed those who are hungry. I’m not sure if there is anything more human or more humane than breaking your bread and sharing it with another person. I’ve seen their work first hand during various disasters around the world and the incredible restorative effect of receiving a freshly cooked meal when you might not have eaten for days. If you want to support a charity that eschews politics or partisanship and focuses solely on the simple dignity of giving help to all in need, then this is the one.

Ashley

Someone very close to me was diagnosed with PoTs. It took years to find the cause of their health issues and they are finally ‘on the mend.’ Since then a few people I know have experienced symptoms of PoTs and without more awareness other could go misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.

Claire

This charity pulled on my heartstrings in a lot of different ways. I can’t imagine spending Christmas alone (not through choice) or being alone at anytime of the year. The Royal Voluntary Service provide social activities, transport services, help for the NHS, dementia support services and much more!

Providing a lifeline to the most vulnerable in our communities and the NHS they give life-changing support when it matters most.

Dan

We all need support and sometimes those that support us need support. Being a carer is hard enough but trying to be a carer while working and supporting yourself as well is a huge task.  Action for Carers supports unpaid carers of all ages with information, support and advice. They work hard with the NHS and other carer charities to ensure the right people get the support they need.

Custom support is available for young carers (aged under 18), young adult carers (for 18-24s) and carers connected to the Armed Forces.

We hope you agree it is a great mix of charities and wonderful charities to support.

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY WINTER, CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, KWANZAA AND A GREAT 2024

Claire Christmas

Supporting Coding Adventures in Schools

/1 Comment/in /by

Back in December 2022 a chance introduction lead to Dogsbody Technology partnering with  Get with the Program and sponsoring Coding Adventures in Schools.

Their values and mission very much aligned with Dogsbody’s own and we love to give back to our community.

Get With The Program Logo

But what does that mean?

Get with the Program run tech learning events or “Coding Adventures” for children aged 5 – 9. These adventures teach coding concepts through fun interactive theatre, they are designed to be accessible to all, encouraging students to have fun and embrace digital technology studies. Schools benefit from a fun activity that aligns with the school curriculum and ensure key terms in the computing curriculum are demonstrated. Everyone’s a winner!

Coding adventures are being added regularly and at Christmas there are even coding pantos! oh no there isn’t… oh yes there is…

Jeni Trice aka Professor Trice

Jeni Trice aka ‘Professor’ Trice, CEO, Founder and Chief Coding Adventurer started Get with the Program to offer the opportunity of coding to children who may not have had the resources available and “reach kids who may not naturally choose computing or thought computers were not for them”.  Her model of connecting schools and business together to deliver exciting tech learning events for students means businesses get to invest in the students future and students benefit from learning in an area that is only going to grow as they get older.

Sponsoring a local Farnborough School

After an introduction we decided to sponsor a local Farnborough school for a coding adventure as we had a staff member with kids there. They chose the Eco Coding Adventure as it coincided with their topic for the term.

The feedback was very positive, 75 children watched the show and took part in the follow up activities which is 75 children who may not have otherwise had access to the resource.

We asked our 8 year old spy on the ground how it went…

“I really enjoyed programming the robot to pick items that used less packaging. It was so fun and everyone got to have a go at writing the code and putting the code in order. I was very happy that my robot picked the right fruit”.

Get with the Program need more businesses to partner with to provide these coding adventure to schools! You, your organisation or your workplace can be involved through financial sponsorship, volunteering or content development. Get in contact with them to discuss how you can help.

Want your school to be involved? Get with the Program are offering free Healthy Lunch-Bot coding days in partnership with Bupa. Anyone can sign up or nominate a school or you can register your interest as a volunteer. Once a term (on a specified day), nominated schools will get free access to a fun 30-minute online show and a 45-minute follow-up activity per class (plus some great additional resources).

Get Involved Today Supporting Coding Adventures in Schools.

Dan Benton

Staff Charity Giving 2022

/0 Comments/in /by

The winter season can be a challenging time for many people which is why every year, at around Christmas time, we donate a percentage of our profits to good causes.

For the last two years we have let our staff pick the charities close to their hearts. We are honoured to support their chosen causes…

Awab

Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan have seen the country suffer devastating life loss and millions of people have been cut off. This donation will help provide aid to families who are suffering.

Josh

Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team personally assisted me back in December 2021 when I discovered two walkers, one with a leg injury, around 900 meters high up on the flanks of Scafell Pike. There work is life saving and therefore I have chosen it as my 2022 charity.

Ashley

The Hygiene Bank do great work, providing essentials to organisations within the local area. No one should be held back from participating in society because of hygiene poverty. The Hygiene Bank will ensure our donation of items go directly to the people who need them.

Claire

Sadly, the soaring cost of living means more people are being forced to use food banks. It is so sad this is needed in the 21st century and I hope our donation of most needed items and christmas food will help someone this christmas.

Rob

Clean, safe drinking water is a basic human need and yet there are millions of communities around the world without it.
I nominated WaterAid because donating will ensure WaterAid can continue to provide clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to those communities and save lives.

Dan

The Cowshed is a local crisis charity that supports a variety of individuals of all ages in very different but difficult situations. I hope this donation helps them continue their good work of providing clothing and other items for individuals and families experiencing hardship.

We hope you agree these are all wonderful charities to support.

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY WINTER, CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, KWANZAA AND A GREAT 2023

 

Dan Benton

Proud sponsors of Pride in Surrey 2022

/0 Comments/in /by

We are proud to officially sponsor Pride in Surrey and would like to invite you to join us in supporting this great cause.

The main event happens on 27th August 2022 in Camberley. A festival and parade will make Camberley the host of the largest Pride in Surrey event yet boasting performances from Sonia, Savior, Eden Hunter, Eva I Guess, Apple Sourz, Connor, Dylan Holloway, Kiki, Johnny Mack, V?K, Cielle Joelle, Carmel Fleur, Jacquii Cann & Seann Miley Moore.

Get your tickets now

Pride is a time for us to reflect on the progress made towards LGBTQ+ equality and to acknowledge the fact that we stand on the shoulders of all those who have fought so hard over the years to achieve this. It is also a time for us to acknowledge that we still have so much more to do.

We are sponsoring Pride in Surrey because the charity behind the event supports individuals all year round. The Pride Hub in Woking has done some amazing outreach and genuinely makes a difference to people. That is what this is all about, helping, encouraging and supporting each other to be what and who we want to be.

– Dan Benton, Director of Dogsbody Technology

The awesome work that Pride in Surrey (Surrey LGBTQ Pride CIC) does never stops. They are a non-profit community interest group with a mission to celebrate, educate and connect the LGBTQ+ community (and allies) across Surrey. Pride in Surrey is run entirely by volunteers, a small team who work all year round on every day projects and campaigns. We are very happy to support them.

Join us to help us ensure that no one is left behind.

Each year Dogsbody Technology donates at least 1% of our profits to good causes, we are very proud that we’re able to make a difference with our charity work.

Claire Christmas

Staff pick our charity giving 2021

/0 Comments/in /by

Every year, around Christmas time, Dogsbody Technology gives back. This year we let each member of staff pick a charity for Dogsbody to donate too. Each one has received a percentage of our profits. Here is what they selected…

Dan

Younger people are more susceptible to mental health as they haven’t yet gained the tools they need to deal with these issues as they come along. YoungMinds want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.

Rob

The naked truth project helping improve sex education resources, talking about porn addition and having those awkward difficult discussions with school kids.

Claire Hope Hub Logo

As the really cold weather kicks in I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to not have a safe and warm space to call your own. The Hope Hub provides practical support (cooking and IT courses) as well as helping with emergency accommodation.

Ashley

I’ve known many people who have been helped by Home start Hampshire who have needed supplies after leaving home in an emergency with children.

Josh

I chose Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team as they came to the rescue when on an early December mountain hike I discovered two walkers, one with a leg injury, around 900 meters high up on the flanks of Scafell Pike (between Broad Crag and Ill Crag to be precise). I sheltered the walkers and ensured they stayed warm, dry and safe but there was no way I was going to get them off the mountain by myself. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team got up to us within 5 hours, which is a very quick response time given the location, severe weather conditions and darkness. They then took the casualty back down the mountain for a safe and happy outcome. Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team also attended the rescue and I’ll be donating personally to that team to ensure their efforts are also recognised.

Cenira Cancer Research Logo

Cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot conquer the spirit. Thank you, Cancer Research UK.

Awab Uyghur human rights project Logo

Unfortunately, due to the most of the worlds reliance on China, nothing much is really being done to help the Uyghurs in China right now. This project has been helping to give relief to the refugees who left the country and raise awareness about the genocide that’s happening there. I have donated to them before and know they do good work.

We hope you agree these are all wonderful charities to support.

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAY AND 2022

 

Claire Christmas

Giving back in 2020

/0 Comments/in /by

Whilst, I am sure, a lot of us would like to return (give back) 2020 for a full refund, this is about us giving back to others in 2020, working to look after our local community and beyond. This year is no exception.

We are very happy to report that our local foodbank is not accepting donations at this time due to the generosity of other locals; we have therefore looked at other core requirements of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to see where we can make the most impact.

So, as usual, rather than buying corporate gifts, we are contributing that budget to supporting three wonderful charities that help with shelter, clothing and a warm bed…

Step By StepStep By Step Logo

Step by Step passionately believe in supporting local young people who are going through hard times.

Taking a unique step by step approach, providing accommodation, personal development opportunities, and specialist support services, helping young people to realise their aspirations and reach their full potential.

Find out more at: https://www.stepbystep.org.uk/

RE:ACTRE:ACT Logo

RE:ACT is a humanitarian charity that provides direct action in emergencies and crisis, serving the most vulnerable people in need by deploying highly trained RE:ACT Response Teams.

Most are military veterans, many come from blue light services; others are simply people with a burning desire to make a real difference.

In March 2020, with the world gripped by the Covid-19 health pandemic, they mobilised their resources and deployed their largest operation to date, this time on home soil.

Find out more at: https://www.re-act.org.uk/

The Hope HubHope Hub Logo

Working to prevent and end homelessness in Surrey Heath Borough and surrounding areas.

The Hope Hub supports the vulnerable, those affected by homelessness issues and poverty in there community.

During Covid 19 they helped source and negotiate temporary (and at best, permanent) accommodation for all homeless folk within Surrey Heath Borough.  In the period April -September 2020, there services were accessed 4,704 times.

Find out more at: https://thehopehub.org.uk/

There are many worthwhile charities and this year, more than ever, charities are struggling as fund-raisers were cancelled and people started to struggle themselves due to job lose or reduced hours. We hope you agree these are great charities to support at Christmas.

We wish all our customers, suppliers and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2021.

 

Claire Christmas

Christmas Charity Giving 2019

/0 Comments/in /by

Once again this Christmas, rather than buying corporate gifts, we are contributing that budget to two local charities.

This year we are once again donating to our local food bank and also adding a local homeless charity. Sadly, demand for both of their services are rising year on year.

Trussell Trust – Farnborough Foodbank

Update – We donated 69kg of food to our local Trussell Trust Farnborough Foodbank. Helping towards the Christmas Hampers and School Lunches they were packing.

For the third year running, Dogsbody Technology took part in the Reverse Advent Calendar #FoodbankAdvent. Donating essential items to our local Farnborough Trussell Trust Foodbank ,where demand still increases.

Food Bank Use
Food Bank Use

 

This year, to help end the need for food banks, the Trussell Trust commissioned a 3 year research project State of Hunger, the most authoritative piece of independent research into hunger in the UK to date.

We are proud to support this great local charity again although the increase for the service is sad to see year on year.

The Society of St James

Previous years we have donated to local charities. This year we decided to include The Society of St James an organisation that has been running for 45 years.

A homeslessness charity providing supported living services, drugs and alcohol recovery, specialist support accommodation and sports therapy.

Helping vulnerable people and the local community through social enterprises, such as cafe’s and a computer recycling and refurbishment service. These also provide valuable volunteering opportunities and work placements.

 

I hope you agree these are great charities to support at Christmas. Its never too late to make a donation yourself 🙂

We wish all our customers, suppliers and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020.

 

Claire Christmas

#FoodbankAdvent 2018 – Reverse Advent Calendar

/0 Comments/in /by

Dogsbody Technology have once again taken part in #FoodbankAdvent 2018 – The Reverse Advent Calendar, and this year we went bigger and better!

On the 5th December 2018 Dogsbody Technology donated over 150 items (over double of last year!) weighing over 76 kg of food and non food to our local Farnborough Trussell Trust Foodbank #FoodbankAdvent.

 

#FoodbankAdvent 2018

Director Dan Benton and the volunteers at Farnborough Foodbank #FoodbankAdvent 2018

Unfortunately demand over the last year has risen.

“December was the busiest month for foodbanks last year. During December 2017, The Trussell Trust’s network provided 159,388 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis; 65,622 of these went to children. This is a 49% increase on the monthly average for the 2017-18 financial year.

The figures reveal the year on year need for foodbanks in December is increasing steeply – the number of food supplies given to people mark a 10% rise from December 2016 when 144,677 were given out.”

Inspired to take part too? Its not to late to start!

  • Read Trussell’s Trust’s What goes in a food bank parcel and non food items to see the items they like to be donated.
  • Find your local Trussell Trust food bank or donate to others in your area. There are even collection points in supermarkets across the country so you can add an extra something to your weekly shop and pop it in the collection point as you leave.
  • Look at your local food bank’s website for the list of items they urgently need.
  • Donate long life items (tinned or dried) so as not to waste fresh food (which goes off quickly).
  • If you want to collect an item a day as per the advent calendar, then your donations will be just as welcome in January as winter sets in!.

 

#FoodbankAdvent 2018

#FoodbankAdvent 2018

 

Dogsbody Technology want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2019.

 

 

Claire Christmas

#FoodbankAdvent 2017 – The Reverse Advent Calendar

/1 Comment/in /by

As Foodbank demand soars in the UK Dogsbody Technology are proud to announce that this year instead of further charity giving or sending corporate gifts we will be taking part in the Reverse Advent Calendar #FoodbankAdvent by donating essential items to our local Farnborough Trussell Trust Foodbank.

December is the busiest month of the year for foodbanks, with 45% more referrals during the two weeks before Christmas. More than 90% of the food donations comes from the public.

The Trussell Trust runs the largest network of foodbanks in the UK, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis. Thirteen million people live below the poverty line and in the last year they gave 1,182,954 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis – up over 6% from the previous year. Of this number 436,938 went to children.

What is a Reverse Advent Calendar?

Traditionally advent calendars are something you open each day from the 1st to the 25th December and get a reward. It used to be a tiny picture or a chocolate, now adults can indulge themselves with everything from make up to alcohol!.

Instead with the Reverse Advent Calendar you start with nothing (empty box) and put one item for your local food bank into it every day. You could do this for 25 days to mirror the advent calendar – or perhaps for a whole month.

Follow us on social media to see our Advent grow!

Throughout December we will be posting updates on how our calendar is growing and our aim is to donate over 60+ items in total.

Want to take part too? Its not to late to start!

  • Read Trussell’s Trust’s What goes in a food bank parcel and non food items to see the items they like to be donated
  • Find your local Trussell Trust food bank or donate to others in your area.
  • Look at your local food bank’s website for the list of items they urgently need.
  • Donate long life items (tinned or dried) so as not to waste fresh food (which goes off quickly)
  • Get your donation to the food bank by early December for them to be useful for Christmas
  • If you want to collect an item a day as per the advent calendar, then your donations will be just as welcome in January as winter sets in!

In one of the richest countries in the world, no one should be hungry at any time of year but especially not at Christmas. Dogsbody Technology hope to make a small difference to someone this Christmas.

Update: Dogsbody Technology donated 74 items to Farnborough Trussell Trust Foodbank #FoodbankAdvent weighing in at 37.1 Kg!

It was great to give something back to our community and the Trussell Trust Foodbank were very pleased with our donation – it is definitely something we will repeat!

A big thank you to all our customers and suppliers who have sent us season greetings, cards and presents – Dogsbody Technology are pleased to have such awesome allies 🙂

 

We wish all our customers, suppliers and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2018.