Buckets of Christmas goodwill to help children with vision impairments

Padiham-based homeware business What More UK is brimming with buckets full of goodwill this Christmas, with unusual gifts to help children with vision impairment.

The manufacturer – known as the most dynamic plastics company in the UK - has paired up with Positive Eye, a consultancy dedicated to providing training and resources for teachers of vision impaired children and young people, to bring some seasonal joy in the form of a generous giveaway.

Established in 1999, What More UK has grown rapidly to become the UK’s largest manufacturer and brand leader of plastic homeware, gardening and storage products, under the brand name WHAM. The business operates out of a state of the art 500,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution centre in Altham.

By contrast, Positive Eye is a small consultancy operating out of a home office in Billinge, near Wigan – but nevertheless is a leading and hugely respected training provider in its sector, and its courses and resources are widely used across the UK, Europe and worldwide. One of the unique aspects of Positive Eye’s approach is the down to earth and accessible approach – making resources which use everyday items such as buckets, baskets and boxes to help children access learning.

While most people see buckets as home and garden accessories and wooden spoons as cooking implements, in the hands of Positive Eye they become versatile learning tools, which anyone from parents to professionals can access on the high street.

The two businesses were introduced by a mutual acquaintance, and What More UK Director Tony Grimshaw, who was recently awarded an OBE for his work in export trade and supporting local projects, was happy to invite Positive Eye Director Gwyneth McCormack to look around his factory and choose some resources to share with her clients.

With over 880 WHAM products on the market, and an imagination which sees creative learning possibilities in the most everyday objects, Gwyneth was spoilt for choice.

She says, “I was absolutely thrilled to be invited to WHAM to look around and to choose some products for my clients, who are some of the most hard-working and dedicated professionals you will ever meet. At Positive Eye we are passionate about making learning fun for young people and always use the phrase ‘training joy’ so it is wonderful to be able to bring some joy to our clients and the children they work with in the run up to Christmas thanks to Tony’s generosity.

“Our approach is all about accessibility. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, teaching assistant or head of services in a local authority, you want the best for the children you are working with. The best training methods should be clear and easy to understand and should use objects that anyone can relate to rather than always requiring expensive specialist equipment.

“The variety and quality of the products I have seen at What More UK has been incredible and has given me lots of new ideas. And I want to thank Tony and the staff at WHAM for their incredible kindness in making this donation. What More employs over 250 people and Positive Eye is a tiny business with me as the only full time member of staff, but working together we have been able to help out children with vision impairment all over the North West.”

Tony Grimshaw OBE, Director of What More UK, says, “We have been in business for 18 years and our products sell all over the world in 68 countries from China and India to Australasia and North America, but I don’t think they have ever been used as an educational resource for children with vision impairment before.

“It was inspiring to meet Gwyneth and to see how her imagination can transform a household item into a learning tool. In her hands a plastic bucket can become a storytelling aid based on Frozen or Fireman Sam, and a set of storage drawers becomes a treasure trove of interesting objects for a child to find. “I have been absolutely delighted to welcome her to our premises and am enjoying knowing that our products will be transformed into creative materials to help children learn.”