Teachers Reveal Surprising Truth:- 'Flowers and Chocolates No Longer Wanted as Thank You Gifts'

AT the end of the School year, many children and their parents will be thinking of what gifts they can give to say thank you to their teachers for all they've done for them in the last School year. A new survey from One4all Gift Cards however has revealed exactly what teachers won't want to find waiting for them at the end of their desks; and the answers might surprise you. Their survey found that 52% of teachers wouldn't want to receive chocolates or baked goods as a gift, preferring to receive something homemade as the top answer. In fact, 45% of respondents admitted to re-gifting a present they'd received in the past. Interestingly, 37% of respondents said they'd best prefer a collective gift from a class as opposed to lots of individual gifts. Meanwhile, 43% of the teachers surveyed agreed that gift cards or 59% said that it was something made by the student would be their favourite gift to receive. One4all also asked teachers what some of the strangest gifts were that they received. Responses included:- chocolate digestives wrapped in tissue, a personalised toilet roll and even a skirt that was 2 sizes too big.

Lou Hickey, Marketing Director at One4all Gift Cards, commented:- "Teachers no doubt receive many weird and wonderful gifts across their career, and there will be some standout gifts and moments which will stay with them forever. And whilst every teacher is unique in their own way, it's clear that teachers can all agree that it's the thought that counts when choosing a thank you present. If you're a student looking for some inspiration on what to gift your favourite teachers, our research reveals some thought-provoking insights around what you should - and shouldn't - be picking for them."

The One4all Gift Card can be spent with over 170 brands in-store or online with participating retailers. It can be loaded with anything from £10 to £120. It is easy to buy from your local Post Office, Tesco, selected Morrisons, Co-op, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Iceland supermarkets nationwide, as well as online at one4all.com.

For more info, please visit:- one4all.Com.

The best gifts to buy your teacher at the end of the School year:-

• Something homemade - 59%
   

• Chocolates - 47%
   

• Gift card - 43%
   

• Flowers - 33%
   

• Baked goods - 21%
  

Student inspired to support people with spinal injuries after life changing motorbike crash!

AN Edge Hill student was inspired to help others with spinal injuries after his own life changing motorbike crash. Andrew Sutcliffe broke his neck in a road traffic accident which put him in a coma for 3 months, but after a long road to recovery he has now graduated with a degree in health and social wellbeing.

The 48 year old has his sights set on working in the care sector, drawing on his lived experience to support other people with spinal injuries. Andrew said.- "The accident made me realise how quickly my life could've gone. I ended up in a wheelchair for a long time and the brain injury meant I couldn't talk, I had to blink in response to yes and no questions to communicate. But I obviously had someone looking after me, saying it wasn't my time yet. I understand why some people give up after an experience like that but I was just more encouraged than ever. It inspired me to make the most of what I've got rather than just sitting back. Life goes on."

Andrew, originally from Liverpool but now living in Southport, was unable to return to his old job or house after the accident because of his spinal injury. He had begun to regain independence when an ingrowing hair caused an infection which required surgery; he was again Forced to bedrest for 6 months while recovering, which set back his rehabilitation. But he was fortunate to have the support and love of his wife Grace, who helped get him back on his feet. She saw his potential and encouraged him to try University.

Andrew's grit and determination helped him manage full-time study during the Covid19 Pandemic, and his study in turn helped him channel his new-found ambition into a passion for helping others:- "I couldn't believe how some people had spoken to me when I was recovering and in a wheelchair, even some carers. People would talk to my mum instead of me, or they would talk to me like a child, treating me like I didn't understand anything. I've got lived experience so I can really help other people coming to terms with spinal injury and disabilities; I really understand what they're going through and can offer real emotional support. Often when you go to daycare Centres or support sessions there'll be someone sat by themselves and you can see they don't know what to do, you can see they're really struggling. I know how that feels, it's horrible. I want my experience to be encouraging to others so I'll just go over. Because no-one should ever feel that way."

Andrew thanked staff and fellow students at Edge Hill University for supporting him throughout his degree, particularly his personal tutor and programme leader Alison Holbourn:- "They couldn't do enough for me - from organising my classes so they were on the ground floor whenever possible to regularly checking in to see how I was doing; I always knew there was support there if I needed it."

Find out more about studying BA (Hons) Health and Social Wellbeing at Edge Hill, please go to the University website.