As the festive season approaches, Nottingham-based technology company ENSEK were eager to build upon its ongoing partnership with Notts County Foundation. With a shared vision of making a positive impact on the lives of families in Nottingham, the idea for a Christmas appeal was born.
It all began with a simple idea: to bring holiday cheer to local families needing a little extra support over winter. ENSEK’s Nottingham office was transformed into a Christmas hub, with a stunning tree standing proudly at its centre.
Gift tags hung from the branches; each one marked with an age group to guide people towards purchasing an appropriate Christmas present for children. The spirit of generosity was evident from the start, as ENSEK staff enthusiastically took tags off the tree, with many bringing in toys, books, and games for the children they were helping.
“The amount of support for our Giftmas initiative at ENSEK has been overwhelming, far exceeding our own expectations and bringing people together to help make Christmas special for children in the local community who may not have otherwise had much, if anything to look forward to on Christmas Day.
It’s really humbling to know we are helping and shows how ENSEK’s partnership with Notts County Foundation is making a difference to the local community.” – Andy Smith, Head of Billing and Industry Ops at ENSEK
As the gifts began to pile up under the tree, Notts County Foundation, which has a long-standing commitment to supporting local communities, began to consider how the initiative could have the greatest impact. After careful consideration, they reached out to Himmah, a charity known for its work tackling food poverty, racism, and educational inequalities in Nottingham.
Himmah operates the largest independent food bank in the city, serving hundreds of families each week. The Foundation had previously volunteered at Himmah’s warehouse and knew immediately that this collaboration could make a real difference.
Their team quickly recognised the importance of the gifts for their service users, many of whom are families struggling to make ends meet, particularly those with young children.
”At Himmah, we are incredibly grateful for the generosity and thoughtfulness demonstrated by ENSEK and Notts County Foundation through this wonderful initiative. These gifts will not only bring joy to the children and families we serve but also remind them that they are supported and valued by their community.
Partnerships like this are vital in helping us tackle the challenges faced by so many in Nottingham, particularly during the festive season.” – Uzair Hashmi, Fundraising & Volunteering Lead, Himmah
With just a week left before Christmas, Notts County Foundation staff visited ENSEK’s office to help pack and transport the gifts to Himmah’s warehouse in Radford, Nottingham. It was a seamless collaboration, with everyone working together to ensure the gifts would reach the families who needed them most.
Himmah’s team will now hand-pick the gifts for their service users, adding them to the food parcels already being prepared for delivery. The gifts will bring much-needed joy to families who may be facing any form of hardship, offering a sense of warmth during what can be a challenging time of year.
‘’We’re thrilled to have worked alongside ENSEK and Himmah to make a real difference for families in Nottingham who may be struggling this festive season.
It highlights the power of partnership and the incredible generosity that exists within our teams”. – Josh Wing, Marketing and Communications Officer at Notts County Foundation
The ‘Giftmas Tree’ project is another example of what can happen when local organisations and charities come together with a shared purpose. Thanks to the generosity of ENSEK’s staff, the coordination of Notts County Foundation, and the incredible work done by Himmah, many children in Nottingham will have a gift to unwrap.
Notts County Foundation is proud to have played a part in this collaborative effort.
