Tag Archive for: christmas

Claire Christmas

2024 Christmas Shutdown

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2024 has been a great year for Dogsbody Technology and we are taking some well earned time off by closing our office for the festive period…

Our Christmas 2024 hours are:

  • Tues 24 Dec 2024 – Office closed after 13:00.
  • Wed 25 Dec 2024 – Public Holiday.
  • Thurs 26 Dec 2024 – Public Holiday.
  • Fri 27 Dec 2024 – Office Closed.
  • Mon 30 Dec 2024 – Office Closed.
  • Tues 31 Dec 2024 – Office Closed.
  • Wed 01 Jan 2025 – Public Holiday.

Person on phone via headset

Support

During this time, response to emails maybe slower than usual and any issues will be dealt with on an emergency out of hours basis. We will only be supporting customers who are experiencing a situation where business cannot function without a resolution such as Website / Server down and inability to trade online.

Life saver ring

Emergency issue

Contact us as normal. All calls and support emails will be routed to our on call engineer who will prioritise work as required.

Women with headset and thumbs up

Maintenance customers

Customers on our maintenance plans will not notice any difference. Systems and infrastructure will continue to be patched, maintained and monitored.

Hosting issues

Our status page will advise of any known internal and hosting server issues. Please do check this page before raising any tickets as the chances are we are already aware.

Normal service will resume on Thursday 02 January 2025.

We hope you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025

Claire Christmas

Dogsbody Technology Charity Donations 2024

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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

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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

Dan Benton

Staff Charity Giving 2022

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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

 

Claire Christmas

2022 December Holiday Cover

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Dogsbody Technology will be closed for a few days in December as the UK celebrates Christmas. We hope you will join us in giving our staff a well earned break.

This year we will be open on the working days between Christmas and New year but with reduced staff numbers. Responses to emails and phone calls maybe delayed as our staff prioritise work as required.

  • Thu 15 Dec 2022 – Office closed from 14.00 (for our December party)
    …
  • Fri 23 Dec 2022 – Office closed from 13:00
  • Mon 26 Dec 2022 – Office closed for UK Public Holiday
  • Tues 27 Dec 2022 – Office closed for UK Public Holiday
  • Wed 28 Dec 2022 – Normal office hours with reduced staff
  • Thur 29 Dec 2022 – Normal office hours with reduced staff
  • Fri 30 Dec 2022 – Normal office hours with reduced staff
  • Mon 02 Jan 2023 – Office closed for UK Public Holiday

Person on phone via headset

Support

During this time, response to emails maybe slower than usual and any issues will be dealt with on an emergency out of hours basis. We will be supporting customers who are experiencing a situation where business cannot function without a resolution such as Website / Server down and inability to trade online.

Life saver ring

Emergency issue

Contact us as normal. All calls and support emails will be routed to our on call engineer who will prioritise work as required.

Women with headset and thumbs up

Maintenance customers

Customers on our maintenance plans will not notice any difference. Systems and infrastructure will continue to be patched, maintained and monitored.

Hosting issues

Our status page will advise of any known internal and hosting server issues. Please do check this page before raising any tickets as the chances are we are already aware.

Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday 03 January 2023.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy Christmas and a Happy 2023

Feature image by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Claire Christmas

Staff pick our charity giving 2021

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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

Dogsbody Technology 2021 Christmas Holiday

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2021 went in a blink of an eye and its that time again for Dogsbody Technology 2021 Christmas holiday.

Our Christmas 2021 holiday covers:

  • Fri 24 Dec 2021 – Office closed after 13:00
  • Mon 27 Dec 2021 – Public Holiday
  • Tues 28 Dec 2021 – Public Holiday
  • Wed 29 Dec 2021 – Office Closed
  • Thur 30 Dec 2021 – Office Closed
  • Fri 31 Dec 2021 – Office Closed
  • Mon 03 Jan 2022 – Public Holiday
  • Tues 04 Jan 2022- Normal office hours resume

During this time, response to emails maybe slower than usual and any issues will be dealt with on an emergency out of hours basis. We will only be supporting customers who are experiencing a situation where business cannot function without a resolution such as site / server down and inability to trade online.

Emergency issue

Contact us as normal. All calls and support emails will be routed to our on call engineer who will prioritise work as required.

Maintenance customers

Customers on our maintenance plans will not notice any difference. Systems and infrastructure will continue to be patched, maintained and monitored.

Hosting issues

Our status page will advise of any known internal and hosting server issues. Please do check this page before raising any tickets as the chances are we are already aware.

 

Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday 04 January 2022.

We hope you have a safe and healthy Christmas and a Happy 2022

 

Merry Christmas
Claire Christmas

2020 Christmas hours

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As 2020 draws to a close (a year we are all happy to see the back of), we are taking our usual Christmas break as, quite frankly, everyone deserve it more than ever this year.

Our Christmas 2020 hours are:

  • Thurs 24 Dec 2020 – Office closed after 13:00.
  • Fri 25 Dec 2020 – Public Holiday.
  • Mon 28 Dec 2020 – Public Holiday.
  • Tues 29 Dec 2020 – Office Closed.
  • Wed 30 Dec 2020 – Office Closed.
  • Thur 31 Dec 2020 – Office Closed.
  • Fri 01 Jan 2021 – Public Holiday.

Person on phone via headset

Support

During this time, response to emails maybe slower than usual and any issues will be dealt with on an emergency out of hours basis. We will only be supporting customers who are experiencing a situation where business cannot function without a resolution such as Website / Server down and inability to trade online.

Life saver ring

Emergency issue

Contact us as normal. All calls and support emails will be routed to our on call engineer who will prioritise work as required.

Women with headset and thumbs up

Maintenance customers

Customers on our maintenance plans will not notice any difference. Systems and infrastructure will continue to be patched, maintained and monitored.

Hosting issues

Our status page will advise of any known internal and hosting server issues. Please do check this page before raising any tickets as the chances are we are already aware.

Normal service will resume on Monday 04 January 2021.

We hope you have a safe and healthy Christmas and a Happy 2021

Claire Christmas

Giving back in 2020

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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

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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.