This week is Volunteers Week, a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK’s incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our local communities.

SNAPS was founded by a small group of volunteers and, 20 years later, they remain very much at the heart of our charity. So, we couldn’t let this week pass us by without taking the opportunity to say a huge thank you to our wonderful team of volunteers. Volunteers are integral to SNAPS and support us in so many ways. We couldn’t do what we do without them!

Volunteering with SNAPS is hugely rewarding. Here are some thoughts from just some of our wonderful volunteers.

“Volunteering at SNAPS is a way to utilise and extend my skills and experience to support a cause I am passionate about. I particularly like that SNAPS not only supports children and young people and their parents, but also their grandparents and siblings and other relatives, and I love working with such a supportive team.

“If you’re able to volunteer, you should go for it! You will feel valued and you can make a difference!”

– Laura, Admin Support Volunteer

“I started volunteering at SNAPS last year and I’ve absolutely loved it! I really wanted to gain some hands-on experience with hydrotherapy to further my knowledge for my university degree of Physiotherapy – SNAPS is the perfect opportunity to do so! 

 “Working with the children and families is so rewarding, and my favourite thing is to see the children’s faces light up when they get into the pool. It’s amazing to see how they can develop over weekly sessions and how their confidence can change. Thank you SNAPS for this opportunity!” 

-Niamh, Volunteer at Penny Field 

“As a student nurse, I wanted to discover how care needs differ for people with learning difficulties. I can then apply what I learn at SNAPS and ensure I am able to provide the best care possible to people with learning difficulties or disabilities. 

“I enjoy working at SNAPS as I am able to work with lots of different children with a range of learning needs. I am glad I am able to give some of my time to support an organisation that is so important for the children and families that use this service.”

–William, volunteer at Penny Field

“I first started volunteering for SNAPS as a way to gain experience ahead of my physiotherapy degree. Five years later, I am still here! It is hard to describe the impact the children and families have had on me over the years, but I am so proud to have been a small part of their journeys.

“SNAPS is one of those places that is hard to let go of and I encourage anyone who is thinking of volunteering for them to give it a go!”

– Becki, volunteer at Penny Field

“I am excited in connecting with the children and their parents. It is fulfilling about working for the children and play with them. I am enjoying it!”

-Kelvin, volunteer at Penny Field

If you’re interested in volunteering, we have lots of opportunities available, such as helping to raise funds for our services, spread the word about what we do, working at our events, or assisting at our sites in Penny Field or Broomfield. 

Volunteering with us is a wonderful chance to help with children with additional needs and their families, whilst having lots of fun! Here at SNAPS, we are a supportive team and aim to help our volunteers reach their own personal and career goals.

If you are able to offer a few hours a week to help us, we would love to hear from you. Find out more about our volunteering opportunities here. 

We were joined by SNAPS families, founders, Business Heroes, corporate supporters and local heroes to help celebrate our 20^th birthday earlier this month.

There was a red carpet to welcome everyone, as well as party games, dancing, singing, crafting, a photo booth, magical drinks and of course, cake!

 

We didn’t only celebrate SNAPS and the work that we do, but also our amazing children with our annual Superstar Awards. Often, our families are told about all the things that their child won’t be able to do. At SNAPS, we celebrate all the things that they CAN do. We often find that with our support, children can achieve life changing milestones that other health professionals told them wouldn’t be possible, such as walking unaided. The SNAPS Super Stars Awards were all about recognising every child’s achievements.

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors who funded the morning and helped make it truly magical – Manning Stainton, Fletchers Group, Newton Waterproofing Systems, Ikon Design Ltd and Taylor Wimpey plc. And a big thank you to our incredible volunteers from Strata, Hippo and Fowler and Powell who worked hard throughout the morning to ensure decorations and balloons were ready, drinks were filled, cake was sliced and the craft table was full! You can find lots of photos of the event over at our Facebook page.

 

If you’re looking for the perfect way to wish us a happy birthday, we’re encouraging supporters to make a one off donation of £20 to celebrate our 20 years. By donating £20 today, you can help ensure SNAPS is still here tomorrow and for years to come. Click here to make a donation. 

 

SNAPS is delighted to have received a grant of £9,312 from the Awards for All National Lottery Community Fund, towards services at our Penny Field site.

The funding will be used to provide hydrotherapy, swimming, music lessons, dance sessions and stay and play activities.

SNAPS is very grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting our vital work.