The little things that make a big difference definitely rings true on Valentine’s Day when Watton Recruitment hit Bedford with their token gifts to show their appreciation and love for their clients. There is always chocolates and love hearts in the office for all of the candidates that drop by too (if our own Alex hasn’t eaten them all first!).

Watton Recruitment would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make Christmas Epic for all the women and children who had fled domestic violence and were in safe houses over the Christmas period.

They had pledged to give every child a Christmas present, however ended up achieving the following

• Every child received an advent calendar in time for the 1^st Dec
• A Christmas party including buffet, games, a visit from Father Christmas, a hamper for all Mums, and a small gift for each child from Santa
• A selection box for all children
• A main present for each child for Christmas morning
• Each mum received a hamper including, dressing gown, camera, beauty products & candle

An amazing effort by all involved!

Philomena says “ I attended the party personally with my own children and left in tears… happy tears to see the smiles on the faces of the children and mums and sad tears of the stories I had heard on the evening. I most certainly am doing this every year. In all of the years we have been involved with charity work, I can honestly say I have never been so overwhelmed as I was with this project.”

What a year and WOW, what was achieved and overcome. Philomena Watton had the honour of running the Bedfordshire BusinessWomen networking group in 2017. Alongside organising the monthly events and committee meetings, being bold enough to revamp the annual awards by hosting an prestigious gala awards night, and adding an additional category of Apprentice of the Year, she overcame her fear of public speaking and learnt so much about herself in what has been an inspiring journey.

An amazing £5,000 plus was raised from the proceeds of the awards evening, plus donations at monthly meetings for Philomena’s chosen charity of the year – The Kings Arms Project.

We were a proud sponsor for the launch of SoupFest Bedford, held on 5^th December 2017, and organised by Emma Garrett. Philomena and Sue found time in the peak of their Christmas staffing rush to head down to the event and be runners for local businesses who couldn’t get out of the office to collect their lunch. They also drummed up people in the town to head to the heart of SoupFest to get involved. What a great event and well worthy cause. Roll on SoupFest 2018!

This Christmas, Watton Recruitment has partnered with YMCA Bedfordshire to help bring a fresh beginning to the lives of women and children escaping domestic violence.

Did you know that in one year alone 128 women accessed Central Bedfordshire’s Women’s Refuge services staying for an average of 12 months? Alongside these women, 123 children sought refuge too.

In Central Bedfordshire alone 3,200 domestic abuse incidents were reported to Bedfordshire Police. 50% of these reported children living at the home address. (2015/16 statistics)

Through their services YMCA Bedfordshire are able to not just provide a safe haven, a caring and listening ear but also all the solid support and help that women and their children need to move forward into a brighter and safer future.

Many arrive with nothing other than the fear of their lives being taken away and the fear that their children will get hurt emotionally or physically. The worries that they have to overcome are endless.

As a company, we want to make Christmas special for all of them because they deserve it. However, we can’t do this without your help.

There are two ways you can help…

1. Make a donation to help make Christmas EPIC!  Simply visit our Just Giving page.
2. Buy a gift from our Santa’s list for a specific women or child. If your purchase is for a child you will receive their gender and age so you can shop wisely.

For more information, read our Make Christmas 2017 Epic leaflet. Please consider joining us in spreading a little seasonal joy.