A team of dedicated social workers from Oldham Council’s Safeguarding and Care Planning Service have raised nearly £3,000 for children and young people after completing the Great Manchester Run. The money will support the council’s Welcome Into Our Care boxes—personalised care packs designed to help children feel safe, valued, and supported when they enter the care system for the first time.

The team, made up of Nicola Gay, Francesca Horsfield, Beth Chay, Lisa Jenkins, Ashleigh Smith, Rhia Edwards, and Vimbai Nzidha, signed up for the 10k run in January 2024. Their initial fundraising target was £400, but thanks to generous donations from colleagues, friends, and family across Oldham, the total quickly climbed to nearly £3,000.

The Great Manchester Run is a major event in the local sporting calendar, and the team trained together over several months to prepare for the challenge. Their commitment mirrored the dedication they show every day in their work supporting children and young people involved in the care system.

Nicola Gay, who leads the Welcome Into Our Care initiative, said: ‘We all trained to be able to complete this and really kept each other going by being the strong and supportive team that we are. We were thrilled every time the total went up. Staff from across the whole service, along with family and friends, very generously donated to this, which has been incredible.’

Reflecting on crossing the finish line, Nicola added: ‘It was quite emotional, and we were all very proud of one another. This will have such a huge impact on the scope of the packs, the difference they make, and the experiences children and young people have in our care.’

The Welcome Into Our Care initiative was launched earlier this year after Nicola was deeply moved by the experience of a young girl entering care with no personal belongings of her own. The boxes are intended to provide comfort and reassurance during what can be a difficult and unsettling time for children and young people.

Every Thursday morning, Nicola personally hand-packs each welcome box. The packs are tailored to each child’s age and individual needs. Every child receives a book. For older children, packs include toiletries, sanitary products, and information on mental health and sexual health. Younger children receive items such as snuggle blankets, cuddly toys, colouring books, and fidget toys. Each box also contains useful contact numbers, information about the professionals supporting them—including their social worker and guardian—as well as practical items such as notebooks and pens.

The initiative ensures that no child enters care without essential items and a welcoming pack, providing both practical help and emotional support.

Many of the items in the packs have been generously donated by local Oldham businesses, helping the initiative continue to grow and support more children across the borough.

The funds raised from the Great Manchester Run will allow the team to enhance the scope of the welcome boxes, ensuring that more children and young people entering care in Oldham receive the comfort and dignity they deserve from the very beginning.