A SANCTUARY Group apprentice stepped away from his day job to lend a hand to a Worcester-based disability charity.

Matthew Ash, a payroll apprentice at Sanctuary, which is based in Castle Street, spent a day volunteering at Worcester Snoezelen to mark National Apprenticeship Week (NAW).

Worcester Snoezelen is an independent charity offering multi-sensory leisure therapy to people of all ages who have learning disabilities and additional needs.

Its centre in St John’s comprises four multi-sensory rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, a soft play area and creative arts rooms.

Mr Ash's visit to Worcester Snoezelen saw him helping out with ‘Activity Wednesday’, a weekly day of inclusive activities such as art, cooking, music and games providing opportunities for people to gain life skills.

He said: “I was keen to volunteer during National Apprenticeship Week because I wanted to give something back to the community and learn new skills doing something different from my day-to-day job.

“Worcester Snoezelen is a fantastic charity providing such valuable support for people who have disabilities and their families.”

Each year Sanctuary offers employees the chance to donate their time to local causes through its employee volunteering programme.

Jane Roberts, chief executive officer at Worcester Snoezelen, said: “Enthusiastic volunteers play such an important role in helping deliver our services.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Matthew and to Sanctuary for their support and to encourage anyone else interested in volunteering with us to get in touch.”

NAW (5-9 March 2018) is an annual event, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service, which celebrates the talents and skills of apprentices and the value of apprenticeship programmes.

Sanctuary’s national apprenticeship programme has been running for 10 years, supporting over 1,600 young people into work during that time.

For more information visit sanctuary-group.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships

Anyone interested in volunteering at Worcester Snoezelen, email bookings@worcestersnoezelen.org.uk or call 01905 748229.