Story added: 11th December 2023

Realising Potential's Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Monday 4^th December saw the Foundation’s Realising Potential participants’ Christmas Shoebox Appeal come to fruition with 45 shoeboxes packed and wrapped for Ukrainian refugees in Norfolk.

Stepping Stones is a Norwich-based day centre establishing a safe and welcoming environment for adults with learning disabilities. As part of our Realising Potential outreach work, Stepping Stones’ students were tasked with creating, planning and delivering a social action project to demonstrate the skills they have learnt.

The group chose a Christmas Shoebox Appeal for the Ukrainian refugees supported by Norfolk County Council to showcase their developed teamwork, communication and leaderships skills. Friends and family kindly donated a variety of items, including toys, toiletries and stationery. Participants were gifted items from local businesses, too.

On the day, a grand total of 45 shoeboxes were wrapped. Each box included a toothbrush and toothpaste, glue, a Norwich City bag and Norwich City player-themed recipe, and a teddy, topped with a handwritten card.

The participants, along with the Disability team, channelled their festive spirit in an assortment of Santa hats, reindeer antlers and Christmas jumpers (we spotted a few canary-themed Christmas knits too!).

During the day, Norwich City veteran Wes Hoolahan visited the group and lent a hand wrapping and packing the presents… albeit without a pair of antlers!

Ellie Dickinson, the Foundation’s Realising Potential Officer, was keen to praise the hard work of the students, “The group worked so hard to organise their social action plan and had a fantastic day. It felt like a proper Santa’s grotto! We are so proud of our participants, and they should be so proud of what they’ve achieved.”

The efforts of our Realising Potential team will be fully appreciated when their shoeboxes are donated to the Ukrainian refugees working with Norfolk County Council at an event on 22^nd December.

To find out about our Realising Potential programme, click here.