An anniversary to remember: 2024 was more than just a reason to celebrate. 25 years of ITV Studios Germany – a milestone we celebrated not only with a big party, but above all with active involvement. Throughout the year, our Social Days took place every month at different social institutions. We wanted to help where our support was really needed – and this has resulted in something very special: a lasting commitment.

Whether it was the gardening project at the Dr. Dormagen-Guffanti facility, the flea market at OT Ostheim, the children’s party at 'Die Arche' Berlin or painting at the 'Schöne Kita' kindergarten, each of these twelve projects was an opportunity to make a difference together with passion, team spirit and joy. As the year draws to a close, we take a look back at some of the most moving moments of this extraordinary anniversary year!

Our 12 Social Days – a brief review

We kicked off our Social Days in January by giving a fresh coat of paint to some of the rooms in a day-care centre in Cologne. Equipped with paintbrushes, paint and humour, we put our backs into it and painted walls, ceilings, wardrobes and more, giving the day care centre a new shine. In February we also lent a hand to the Emmaus community, sorting donated goods, moving furniture and repairing bicycles. With a few small gestures, we made a big difference. Thomas from the legal department explains: "As a newcomer to ITV Studios, it was great to meet colleagues from other departments. After a social day like this, you interact differently in your day-to-day work – almost like after a team-building.“

In March we had a wonderful day at the Norbert-Burger-Seniorenzentrum: We went for a walk with them, took them to the shopping centre, did handcrafts with them, laughed with and listened to them. The joy was great on both sides and friendships were made, so that some of the seniors stayed in touch after the social day. In April, spring cleaning and an afternoon of games at the Arche were on the agenda. In the spirit of 'work before play', the children’s and youth centre was thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed before the more relaxed part of the afternoon was spent playing board games and making jewellery. Neil from our post production team said: "It was great to do something outside of work with colleagues – especially when you’re new to the job. Also, it was just nice to do something for other people for a change, other than entertaining them."

In May, our team got out their shovels and team spirit to spruce up the school garden at the Erich Ohser Primary School. The highlight was the creative design of a wall. Nina from the Office Management team saw the day as 'a great opportunity to do good. The children were visibly pleased with our work and it was nice to get to know our colleagues better outside the office. Our two managing directors, Christiane Ruff and Martin Borowski, also lent a hand on the day. In June, a garden project at the Wirbelwind/Heureka daycare centre in Berlin also made our Berlin colleagues' happy. From the raised bed to the fence, the outdoor area was beautified and a new place for the children to feel good was created. Digital Manager Dennis found the Social Day in Berlin 'really exhausting', but in the end he said: "Working together to beautify the kindergarten garden was not only fun, but also a great change from everyday life. It felt really good to do something good together."

At Arche Berlin’s summer festival in July, we manned various play stations and made the children’s eyes light up – whether it was bobby car parkour, football darts or arts and crafts. Sarah helped out as a volunteer and concludes: "It was a great experience to help out at the Arche’s courtyard party. It was good to get away from the desk and support those who desperately need help. Seeing so many children’s eyes light up was the absolute highlight!" In September, after a short summer break in August, we returned to work at the Dr Dormagen-Guffanti facility in Cologne. At the home for the disabled, we redesigned the garden, pulled weeds and rebuilt the chicken coop. Our facility manager, Harald, also lent a hand: 'My scepticism as to whether such a bunch of outsiders could really help was dispelled. We shook the henhouse and cleared the jungle. A real ray of hope!"

OT Ostheim, a children’s and youth centre, was delighted to receive our support in October. We helped set up and dismantle the stalls at their 'Jumble with Charm' flea market and supervised activities such as face painting, a photo studio, sports and fun in the gym and a smoothie station. It was a day full of inspiring encounters and beaming faces. Production Manager Anne reports: "At first I was worried that I wouldn’t have time as I had a lot on my plate, but then I was so happy that I made it. Apart from the little help we were able to give, the best thing for me was spending time away from the daily grind with colleagues from other departments". In November, our Social Days took us to a very special place – the Vingst Community Centre. At the Vingster Treff intercultural meeting and support centre, we not only painted and spruced up the meeting room and hallway, but also prepared an international lunch with other volunteers from the Vingster Treff. After lunch we played, laughed and chatted with the seniors. In the end we would have all liked to stay much longer. Victoria from our press department also felt that way: "Places like the Vingster Treff have made a deep impression on me. Places where people from different backgrounds come together, support each other and share hope are so valuable and inspiring. The Social Days made me realise once again how enriching such encounters are and the power of compassion, openness and diversity in action."

In December, there was not only a great Wish Tree campaign in Berlin, but also a heart-warming reunion at the Norbert Burger Seniorenzentrum in Cologne. While our colleagues in Berlin made the eyes of the children at the Berlin Children’s Hospice light up with their Wish Tree, the team in Cologne organised a great Christmas craft session and, most importantly, spent some valuable time with the senior citizens. One of the residents had this to say: "Thank you so much for the day off that your staff were able to spend with us on the 3rd of December. We experienced so much joy as a result!" A fitting end to a moving anniversary year. And our colleague Nestan in Berlin also reflects on the campaign, saying: 'The Social Days were a great campaign, because it’s in situations like these that you realise how privileged you are – whether it’s because you can afford things, have enough food and clothes, and are healthy!"

A strong team – and stronger together!

Twelve months, twelve Social Days and countless special moments: we look back with pride and gratitude on a year full of moving experiences and inspiring encounters. "What drives us is not only the joy of helping, but also the deep conviction that we can actually make a difference together – for others and for ourselves," says our managing director Christiane Ruff, summarising: “These twelve Social Days have brought us closer together as a team and shown us how valuable compassion, solidarity and the willingness to take responsibility as a company are.”

We were supported in implementing the Social Days by the Cologne Volunteer Agency, without whom the project would probably not have been possible. Krista Meurer, who is responsible for corporate volunteering there, also looks back on the year with us and summarises: ‘We thank the team from ITV Studios Germany for their work in the senior citizens’ and children’s facilities and for the homeless. You brought great joy to the recipients and gave them a break from their normal daily lives. Through our collaboration, we were able to help many institutions and carry out work for them that would not have been done without your help. Thank you for the trusting cooperation and the arrangements and planning for the Social Days, which could not have gone better. We hope that we have also been able to inspire the employees of ITV Studios to help those in need in the years to come."

A big thank you to everyone who took part, supported and shared this journey with us!