Asda’s Post

The Joy Bringers 🤶🏼 What’s the secret to a magical Christmas season? The people who light it up! This year, QIC’s The Joy Bringers campaign celebrated those who make the holidays truly magical. From decorating homes with dazzling lights and cars with festive tinsel to spreading cheer through small, heartfelt gestures, these festive champions brought joy to their communities. Their inspiring stories were shared across QIC centres and digital platforms, turning everyday acts into moments of celebration and encouraging others to join in the magic. The campaign also fostered meaningful connections by partnering with over 40 community groups, charities, hospitals, and schools. Together, they delivered joy where it was needed most—organising Santa visits to hospitals, coordinating toy and food drives, and supporting local fundraising efforts. Customers could contribute too, with every purchase of a special Joy Bringers item matched by QIC to amplify the impact. 👉🏻 Food for Thought: Benefits of celebrating The Joy Bringers: • Deepens Community Bonds: Recognises everyday heroes who inspire connection & goodwill. • Boosts Engagement: Turns traditional shopping trips into joyful, memorable experiences. • Drives Participation: Encourages customers to join in, fostering inclusivity & shared joy. • Elevates Brand Loyalty: Strengthens ties with the community by spotlighting shared values. ✨ MARKETING 📍 Australia #TheRetailLife #Retail #RetailAroundTheWorld #RetailCommunity #RetailInspiration #CreativeRetail

"If not you, who?" A simple yet major question that has been stuck in my head for the last couple of months. Four words that can challenge how we approach life, work, and responsibility. And it's not just about taking ownership. It's about realising the impact we can make if we step up, take action, and lead with purpose. This mindset has been central to the Christmas Day event we have coming up at Chorley Football Club. For many, Christmas is a day of happiness, family, and togetherness, but for others, it can feel isolating. That’s why we decided to open the doors of Victory Park on Christmas Day to create a welcoming space where no one feels alone. There’ll be good food, great company, and the chance to connect with others in our community. However, this wouldn't have been remotely possible without the incredible team we have at the club. A group of people who all asked themselves, “If not me, who?” and stepped up to make it happen. A special mention must go to Craig Dootson, our COO, whose leadership has been instrumental in not just driving this initiative forward, but instilling a mentality at the club that when we put the needs of others first, good things will happen, and Sue Gauntry, our Head of Hospitality, who goes above and beyond to ensure every detail is taken care of to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who come to the club. This idea is also a testament to the incredible power that "community" holds. Through this one act of kindness, we’ve brought together partners and generous donations which will help make the day truly special. I'll write a post on the day to thank all those individuals and sponsors who have helped make this happen, but this post was more a reflection on how this happened. From 7 people round a table who all raised their hand and said "count me in". A feel good initiative which has gained national coverage has been created. And will likely be something we see others adopt when they see the impact it can have. “If not you, who?” What can you do today to make an impact, no matter how small? Merry Christmas #Leadership #Community #ChristmasDay #ChorleyFC #IfNotYouWho

Transforming Complexity into Simplicity with Slow Shopping At Slow Shopping, we act as a bridge between businesses and the community, turning fragmented/disaggregated support into a more coherent and accessible service. Our mission is simple: to take the diverse forms of support that already exist—whether from businesses, charities, or local initiatives—and create an organized, practical structure that’s easy for people to engage with. We also empower organizations to develop new services and solutions. Through our training, we offer a methodology to audit current services and create fresh, tailored solutions that meet the needs of their community. Slow Shopping allows businesses to offer personalized support, particularly for individuals with specific needs such as the elderly or those with disabilities. By "joining the dots" between various services, we create a smoother, more accessible shopping experience for all. Our goal: to transform complexity into simplicity, making shopping and community engagement more inclusive and empowering for everyone. #InclusiveBusiness #CommunitySupport #Accessibility #SlowShopping #CorporateResponsibility #dementia # carers #longevity #cityoflongevity #longevitysociety #slowshopping

I don't often say much about my volunteering work with Short Back & Sidewalks on LinkedIn, much less do I speak of my partner Craig Hollywood and our life together. Craig started Short Back & Sidewalks -- a not-for-profit giving haircuts free of charge and free of judgement to people experiencing homelessness and poverty -- a few years before we met. In late 2017 when we started dating, Short Back & Sidewalks was still in its early phases, and not the main topic of conversation in our initial days together. Watching Craig's passion for helping others and making positive change, I couldn't help but join him on his quest to scale up Short Back & Sidewalks and deliver more services to more people in need. (And anyone in his Short Back & Sidewalks orbit will know what I mean. 😊 ) With Short Back & Sidewalks, I've volunteered my skills in communications and marketing, I've filled countless t-shirt orders and I've even chucked in a few braids at services. I've also contributed less visibly as a sounding board for Craig through the tough growth phases over the course of our relationship. (At one point we even joked that Short Back & Sidewalks was the third wheel in our relationship or the child that we're struggling to have.) And while that may sound like a lot, I can genuinely say I've never seen anyone work as hard as Craig: it's been akin to him working two full-time jobs for the better part of our relationship, but only one of them was paid, and it wasn't Short Back & Sidewalks. Added to this he's shown up for me and for us countless times and in ways that we never imagined we'd need. Alongside this, he has taken every opportunity at his disposal (and I mean EVERY) to help Short Back & Sidewalks grow, and for one fundamental reason -- to help connect with more people in need, and give them an opportunity to receive essential services that may help them on their path home. All this is to say that I'm incredibly proud of Craig and of Short Back & Sidewalks. And if you've ever thought about volunteering your skills, whatever they are, I'd encourage you to turn those thoughts into action -- you never know who you'll be helping or what you'll learn.

📢 ATTENTION CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS! 📢 ✨ Exciting News! ✨ We have just opened up our 2025 calendar for Community BBQ bookings 📅 Our Friday BBQs have been massively popular among corporate groups, and the remainder of 2024 is now fully booked. Our Friday BBQs offer more than just a chance to grill and chill—they are a powerful team-bonding experience and a profound way to engage with the realities of homelessness. These events not only strengthen team dynamics but also provide a meaningful social experience that encourages reflection and empathy. 5 fast facts about our Community BBQs: ✅ Suitable for teams of 8 people. ✅From induction to clean-up and debrief, the duration is around 4 hours. ✅No food prep skills are required! Our kitchen staff will supervise your team to prepare, cook and serve a delicious spread of salads and BBQ treats. ✅We are located in the heart of Fitzroy - easily accessible by public transport. ✅Surrounded by some of Melbourne's finest cafes, pubs and restaurants, we are ideally located if your team wants to enjoy a meal together afterwards and celebrate their impact. To ensure your team doesn't miss out, reach out today to book your spot and make 2025 one to remember! Email fundraising@smhow.org.au #corporatevolunteer #volunteering #csr #corporatevolunteering #teambuilding #notforprofit #charity #homelessness #givingback #corporatesocialresponsibility #communityimpact #makeadifference

Here's a little bit of a different #SafetyTopic -- Water Safety. It's pool, lake, and beach season, and taking a swim is a great way to cool off. But water needs to be respected! This summer, take steps to make sure your loved ones -- especially kids -- are safe in and around the water. In my years with the Y, some of the key things we talked about when it comes to water safety are: 🙋♂️Make sure kids know they need to ask permission before getting in the water. Make it a habit. The child gets permission, and an adult is aware! 👀 While all adults should be paying attention, consider creating shifts with designated "Water Watchers." His or her job is to watch the summer fun like a hawk with no distractions. 📵 Put your phone down! Especially the Water Watcher. 💦 Don't just watch: Get in! Model safe behavior in and around water! 🏊♀️ And finally, the best way to keep kids safe around water is to enroll in swim lessons. The Y (YMCA) invented swim lessons, and there are Ys in communities across the country. Many (Most? All?) provide support for families to participate in programs like swim lessons, even if they are struggling financially. And if you're an adult who can't swim, The Y offers adult swim lessons as well! Will you commit to being a Water Watcher this summer? #watersafety #summertime

Picture your favorite coffee shop. You walk in and order at the counter. You make conversation with the barista you know by name. It’s a typical dialog exchange until it comes time to pay. 🎬Scene change to *my* favorite coffee shop. A Place at the Table coffee shop in Raleigh, NC is a “pay what you can cafe”. Hmmm. That’s different. Well, when you pay for your coffee and meal, you can add a tip of any amount that directly “pays it forward” for someone who cannot afford a meal. Coffee with a purpose.☕️ "A Place at the Table" is a non-profit café with a clear mission: 🍴To provide community and good food to all, regardless of means. This coffee shop is helping fight food insecurity while building community through their unique business model. Patrons can pay a suggested price, pay a little extra to pay it forward, or work for a meal. The cafe operates with a small staff and relies on volunteers from local businesses, church groups and colleges, to serve food, clear tables and greet guests. Inspired yet? 👉Next time you’re in Raleigh, swing by 300 W Hargett St and meet some Raleigh neighbors. Maggie Kane runs the cafe with a strong sense of purpose and guiding values. The cafe is simply an extension of Maggie -welcoming, filled with energy, and surrounded by friends. The impact is that the cafe is reinventing how they feed our downtown community. One meal at a time. Gather 'round the table. #community #values #volunteering #gathering Allison Connors Danny Rosin Richard Averitte J Nick OTTO Luke Brown Anthony Carlson David J.P. Fisher Katie Reetz DeGraff PHOTO: Repping Table on the beach.

Creating a Grassroots Community Initiative: Learn How to Build a Coalition Discover how to create a grassroots community initiative using available resources. Join our masterclass to learn how to build a coalition and make a positive impact, regardless of your background or knowledge. Find out how to utilize commercial kitchens and collaborate with restaurants to redistribute food in need. Let's solve this problem together! #GrassrootsCommunity #CoalitionBuilding #CommunityInitiative #Masterclass #FoodDistribution #Volunteering #NonprofitOrganization #PositiveImpact #ResourceUtilization #RestaurantCollaboration

***WHY IS THIS SO NECESSARY?*** As well as the awesome activation at the Outernet London promoting the new partnership between Change Please and Nespresso UK, there are a over 50 locations across London and Dublin where there are posters presenting this innovative partnership. All were launched this week. It's obviously fantastic however - when I've gone to find these posters this week - I've been reminded in quite a startling way WHY it's so important to have this partnership and other ones like them. This video shows me at one of the posters at London Bridge (in the tunnel under the station on Bermondsey St if you want to know 😉) ... by simply going to view some of the activation for this campaign it has only gone to hammer home its importance. HERE IS A FACT: >>> You are more than likely going to see people struggling as a result of homelessness right around any of these posters. Wherever you may find them I've gone to 2 locations since the launch and both have had highly visible examples of people who are experiencing homelessness - right in front of them ... one guy at London Bridge was at his wits end and shouting at passers by, proclaiming to be 'invisible' and 'ignored' by society*. It's pretty harrowing but it's real. Whether you support Change Please, or any other charity in this space and we would encourage you to support EVERYONE in this space ... recognise this is a problem that is getting significantly worse and we need to come together to make a difference on it. *For reference, I spoke to him, gave him what I could and contacted StreetLink about him as he clearly needed help 😟 Cemal Ezel Anna Lundstrom Michael Melmoe Emmanuelle Davidson-Merritt #ChangePlease #Homelessness #HomelessEpidemic #Nespresso #Partnership #London #StreetLink

We’re delighted to see the feature on BBC’s #TheOneShow about the incredible work of The Whitefield Charity SK Corporation’s Soup Kitchen and their new #HomeKitchenDiner in London's Primrose Hill. This world-first fine-dining restaurant, led by two-Michelin-starred chef Adam Simmonds, is providing life-changing opportunities for individuals who’ve experienced homelessness and helping them build meaningful careers in hospitality.