The Wishing Tree is Here!

It hardly seems like two minutes since the last summer rays glimmered beyond the horizon but, alas, we must now admit the autumn season is well and truly upon us.  Short days, dark nights, frosty mornings - it can be a bit of a drag… But at least there’s one big thing to look forward to - Christmas!

The holidays will be here before we know it, and it’s great to get excited about being with our families, opening our presents and overindulging on food and films. But Christmas isn’t just about our enjoyment, it’s also about what we can do for others. At Bruntwood, we know that the little things make a big difference - which is why we’re pleased to announce that our Wishing Tree campaign is back for another year. 

The Wishing Tree is an annual campaign which sees us partner with local charities in our city regions. The charities work mostly with young or vulnerable people in our communities, who are invited to make a wish for a gift that would brighten their Christmas. These wishes are hung on tags on the Christmas trees in our buildings, so our lovely customers and colleagues can pick one and donate the gift to spread some festive joy.

Over the years we’ve been running the campaign, we’ve donated over 3,000 presents - and this year we have 1,000 tags across the regions; that’s 1000 chances to brighten somebody’s Christmas.

So who are we partnering with?

Birmingham - Grand Union, our charity partner for Birmingham, is an artists’ studios in Digbeth which works to provide affordable studios and bring art to the people. Their ‘Growing Project’ does some great work to create green spaces in underused urban locations, all of which are tended and nurtured by people affected by homelessness, who will be receiving your gifts this year.

Cheshire - Over in Cheshire, we’re working with the Cheshire Community Foundation who will be helping us to provide gifts for Cre8 Macclesfield. Cre8 is a youth organisation based on the Moss Estate in Macclesfield; it was set up through the work of St Barnabas Church on Lyme Avenue and provides services and activities for young people, with a focus on those who are at risk or hard to reach. 

Leeds - We’ve linked up with Leeds Community Foundation, helping us to provide presents for Flourishing Families, who work to support family literacy, tackle food poverty in families and provide active assistance to primary school-aged children living in deprivation. Supporting the development of a fair and equal society is a central theme of our core purpose of Creating Thriving Cities, so we feel the work done by Flourishing Families is really aligned with our vision for a better future in our city regions.

Liverpool - We’ll again be getting together with An Hour For Others in Liverpool. The organisation is founded on the principle that we all have our dark times, and donating even the smallest amount of time and energy can change lives - making a real difference to people in their hour of need.

Manchester - We’re again teaming up with Manchester Youth Zone who we have partnered since 2011 and, this year, we’re also throwing our support around HideOut Youth Zone. Both organisations provide safe, inspiring spaces for young people along with access to a range of leisure and learning facilities.

Genta Haxhija, Social Impact Project Manager at Bruntwood, said: “Christmas is all about giving back and supporting those around you, and especially helping our local communities. The Wishing Tree demonstrates our commitment to communities, especially when they need it most. It’s an honour to be in a position where we can give something back and help generate some festive cheer.”

How can I donate?

It couldn’t be simpler… 1) grab a tag from the tree in your building; 2) let your host/receptionist know which tag you’ve taken (they’ll be able to tell you how to return your gift); 3) buy the present, wrap it and return it no later than midday on Monday 13th December (or Friday 10th December for Leeds). 

Should your building not have a Wishing Tree, or if you don’t work in one of our buildings at all but you’d still like to get involved, you can email socialimpact@bruntwood.co.uk and we’ll email a tag to you and provide details of how to return your gift.

(Please note that it may take a little longer for trees to go up in some of our spaces, but fear not - if you don’t see a tree, just ask at reception and we can give you a tag to take away).

In previous years, the Wishing Tree has helped put a smile on the faces of those who need it most so we’re thrilled to be running the campaign once more. Stay tuned for further updates throughout the festive season…