It’s been a while since our last proper catch up—two years, to be exact! But that doesn’t mean we’ve been quiet. In fact, we’ve been busier than ever, growing as an organisation, strengthening our community, and celebrating some major milestones.
At Maples, we’re always evolving, celebrating milestones, and strengthening our community.
From fundraising and service user events to our 30th anniversary and the launch of our brand-new website, there’s plenty to catch up on. So, let’s take a look back at some of the incredible things we’ve achieved together over the past two years.
Fundraising for Good Causes
Supporting our community is at the heart of what we do. Recently, we’ve taken part in several fundraising initiatives, including:
BabyBank – Supporting families in need by raising money for essential baby supplies.
Macmillan Coffee Morning – Raising funds for cancer support with homemade treats and great conversations.
Movember – Spreading awareness and raising money for men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
Christmas Jumper Day Donations – Celebrating the festive season while contributing to a great cause.
Bringing People Together: Service User Conferences & Events
Over the past year, we’ve hosted several fantastic events that brought our community together:
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- 2023 Conference – An opportunity for staff and service users to connect and share ideas.
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- 2024 Community Event – A celebration of connection and engagement, full of activities and inspiring talks.
Held at the Vassall Centre, this event welcomed 58 service users and eight local organisations. From creative workshops to informative sessions on health, well-being, and career support, it was a day of growth, networking, and celebration. A highlight was a fantastic performance from our talented service user—MAM—who had recently secured a local gig! Read more about the Community Event here. - 2024 Christmas Party – Ending the year with joy, laughter, and festive fun!
- 2024 Community Event – A celebration of connection and engagement, full of activities and inspiring talks.
Celebrating 30 Years of Maples
August 2023 marked a huge milestone—our 30th anniversary! We celebrated this incredible achievement with a special event, bringing together our staff, service users, and community. Highlights included:
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- A collaborative art activity led by Bristol artist Luke Palmer, creating a beautiful mural now displayed in our Verona office.
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- A nature-themed celebration at Grow Wilder, in partnership with Avon Wildlife Trust.
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- A delicious vegan menu from Two Trees Catering, keeping sustainability at the heart of our event.
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- Engaging talks on the importance of nature and wellbeing.
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- As part of our anniversary celebrations, we also officially launched our new brand, a fresh identity that reflects our values, growth, and future vision.
A Brand-New Website
To complement our rebrand, we’ve launched a new website! It’s designed to better showcase who we are, what we do, and how we support our community. Visit maplescare.co.uk to explore our new look and stay updated on everything Maples. Missed our blog about the re-brand? Catch up here!
Looking Ahead
From fundraising efforts to service user events and our 30th-year celebrations, the past year has been incredible. We’re excited to continue growing, supporting our community, and making a meaningful impact.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with us—here’s to the future!
