A charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable families living in North Staffordshire has received a huge boost from tyre giants, Michelin
Workers at the Stoke-on-Trent Michelin plant and offices have voted to adopt the Alice Charity as their charity of the year.
It’s a major coup for Alice which was started just five years ago by a North Staffordshire mother and daughter to offer “little acts of kindness” for families who struggle to make ends meet.
“We have come a long way in a short space of time and now have a range of projects offering support to families in need,” said founder and Chief Executive Stephanie Talbot who runs Alice alongside her daughter, Emily Petts, Family Support Director.
“Recognition from Michelin is fantastic for us. It is a world leading brand and to be voted for by the 900-strong workforce is both amazing and humbling.”
“We’re looking forward to getting involved with their staff as they organise fundraising events and inviting Michelin to get involved with our events such as the annual It’s A Knockout and Santa Dash fundraisers.
Corinne Li, community involvement co-ordinator at Michelin, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with the Alice Charity this year. North Staffordshire is not a wealthy area, and times are still pretty tough for a lot of people.”
“The Alice Charity helps families who just need that bit of extra help to get through a sticky patch, and we will do all we can to help as many people as possible access that support. We’re extremely proud of the time and effort Michelin employees put into supporting local communities, and we couldn’t wish for a more deserving cause than the Alice Charity.”
Alice Charity’s programmes are designed to complement state support for low income families and help with practical and emotional support.
This includes providing furniture, white goods and baby equipment to a support group for grandparents who are suddenly thrust into the role of main carers for young children.
Emily explained: “It can be easy for vulnerable families on low incomes to fall through the cracks in the state system and we founded Alice with the belief that small acts of support can make a real difference.”
“For example, providing a cooker and encouraging families to sit and eat together can make a hugely positive impact on the family and their relationships with each other. We provide practical support such as budgeting and parenting skills as well as helping parents to find the right support from organisations who are best equipped to help them.”
“When the time is right, we encourage the families that we support to ‘give something back’ by becoming one of our volunteers, increasing their self-esteem and employability skills, as they are the best people to support other families, demonstrating that there is hope and a way out of their current, often overwhelming, situation.”
ENDS
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