Branch news: Pet pawtraits and a toy exchange!

Our 110 A-Plan branches across the country are very much part of their local community, each with its own community schemes. This month, we’re focusing on the success of A-Plan Hall Green’s fun ‘pet pawtrait’ campaign and their toy exchange scheme.

Branch Manager, Dan Cross, came up with an idea to host a toy exchange in branch after realising he had a surplus amount of toys his own children had grown out of.

Dan explains: “The idea of the exchange was to give children who had outgrown their toys the opportunity to upgrade their toys for more age-appropriate ones. Everyone knows how quickly children grow out of (or get bored of) toys. The cost of upgrading them isn’t cheap! So many children have some good quality toys they no longer use, and want to share, which not only reduces waste, but eases the financial burden on parents, particularly amid the current cost-of-living crisis.

“With our Toy Exchange initiative, children can swap something they no longer want for something new. It runs completely free of charge, and so has gained quite a bit of media attraction on online local groups – locals love the idea! In fact, a local nursery has already reached out wanting to be a part of the scheme, by advertising the Toy Exchange to the parents. It has been heartwarming to see so much community support.”

Hall Green’s Toy Exchange has been live for a few weeks now, and has seen several children and parents pop into the branch wanting to exchange their toys. The scheme will continue to run as long as it’s needed, so if you would like to be part of it, why not pop down to the branch with your unwanted toys – and pick up a new one!

The team didn’t stop at a Toy Exchange, and catered for our furry, four-legged family members too.

A pop-up ‘Pet Pawtraits’ shoot was a hit from the moment it was advertised on social media, with all twenty slots filled within days of being advertised.

“So many people expressed how much they love the idea,” confirms Dan. “The day of the photoshoot went smoothly (as smooth as dogs in an office can go) with only a couple of puppy accidents. Not only was it great having lots of happy dogs visit us in-branch, but we managed to raise an amazing £170 – which A-Plan Insurance then agreed to double to £340! Our furry models were an integral part of raising these funds for their friends at Birmingham Dogs Home.

“Everyone who was involved with the event thoroughly enjoyed it and we are already talking about running the event again! We would like to say a massive thank you to our amazing photographer Mili (Luksus Photography) who made everyone feel so welcome and for taking beautiful pictures of the pups.”

Dan couldn’t have done it without his team, and the community as a whole. “The team at Hall Green A-Plan want to say thank you to all who have been involved in this so far!”

If you would like to contact Dan and his team to find out more about the schemes, or to ask any insurance-related questions, pop into branch, or call the team directly on 0121 733 6999.