Our staff raise over £200 for CLASP!

Optalis has raised £207 for local charity CLASP (Caring Listening and Supporting Partnership) with a company-wide fun Halloween dress up at work on October 31. Staff were invited to dress up for Halloween and home made pumpkin soup and cupcakes were sold to raise money as part of Optalis’ new community involvement initiative, where employees are able to donate time and effort into projects that help one of four local charities. CLASP is a Wokingham based self-advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities.

As well as spooky celebrations at the Old Forge in Peach Street, other Optalis sites took part in the fun. Residents at Suffolk Lodge care home indulged in some pumpkin carving and apple-bobbing, and Westmead Day Centre ran activities. The Learning Disability Day Service dressed up for the occasion, and all proceeds from the Acorn Centre’s Rainbow Café were donated towards the cause.

CLASP project co-ordinator Sarah Griffiths said “Everybody at CLASP was really pleased when we heard that Optalis staff would be fundraising for us during Halloween. CLASP aims to ensure people with learning disabilities across the borough are all given equal opportunities, choices and the means to support one another in leading independent lives.

“With the help of donations from supporters such as Optalis, we are able to continue with this valuable work and make sure our voices are heard. Thank you to everyone at Optalis for your generous support.”

Optalis managing director Andrew Pickup highlighted the positive impact of the community involvement initiative on Optalis, “I think it is important as an organisation to become more involved with the community and with charities. We’ve deliberately chosen small, local charities and we hope that our donations can make a difference to the people of Wokingham.”