Employees from Newbury Building Society got stuck into a variety of gardening tasks at Good Hope Farm earlier this month on the first 165 Days of Volunteering session.
A group of eight employees from a variety of different teams across the Society got together to undertake a number of gardening and maintenance tasks at local CIC (Community Interest Company), Good Hope Farm.
Based just outside of Newbury in Hamstead Marshall, Good Hope Farm is an organic farm which will eventually play host to a therapeutic day centre for adults with learning disabilities, offering various workshops, work experience, and importantly, access to nature.
The group of green-fingered employees worked hard to complete a variety of tasks, including moving compost to create raised flowerbeds, planting sunflowers, laying out woodchip pathways, and painting. The day was greatly enjoyed by all, with the group feeling a real sense of achievement (and tiredness!) at the end of the day. Here's what some of them had to say:
Andy Ransom, Compliance Manager
"It was a pleasure spending a day helping to lay new flower beds and woodchip pathways at Good Hope Farm, a therapeutic day centre for adults with learning disabilities. It was clear to see just how dedicated and passionate they are about this wonderful cause and it is vital that they continue to receive support from the local community. I’m looking forward to going back to see how the farm has developed and moving some more soil!"
Luke Pummell, Direct Sales Manager
"It was great to work as part of a team with colleagues I may not usually deal with on a day to day basis and the work we completed in a short space of time was amazing! Coming away from the day I felt as though we really achieved something as a team for this charity which left me with a real sense of pride (my back didn’t feel the same way!)."
Jessica Tarpey, Facilities and Health & Safety Coordinator
"It was great to be able to do something really positive for a local charity and help them develop the farm at it early stage. It was also an opportunity to work with colleagues from different areas of the business."
Ella Bright, Area Manager
"It felt great being able to help Karinne with her project and I happy to say I have now utilised one of my two volunteering days for this year which I haven’t done before, but certainly will make sure I do from now on!"
The team worked really hard and achieved a lot. I was impressed! Thank you again for choosing Good Hope Farm for your volunteering day. It was very useful and helpful for us.
Organisations in and around Newbury Building Society's branch towns who need volunteers can get involved on the 165 Days of Volunteering webpage. The initiative will be running until November 2022.
