Spruce and tidy of our gardens by corporate volunteers reflects rising national trend of company engagement with good causes Royal Trinity Hospice gardens benefitted from a two hour fly-by blitz thanks to a team of visiting tradespeople who came to snip, clip and trim areas. Staff from some of the UK’s largest building, construction and engineering companies took time out from working on site, to participate in a morning of gardening volunteering, switching high-vis for gardening gloves. Teams from Sir Robert McAlpine, Fujitec, HSS, Severfield and Trinity Local Business Hero Szerelmey, spent time lending their time and skills across the two-acre site. People from different companies got together to lend a hand The popularity of corporate volunteer days at Trinity reflects the national picture of their rise. A 500% increase in employers offering volunteer days in the last five years, has been reported according to figures from not-for-profit enterprise Works4u. Already in 2024, Trinity has hosted 29 corporate volunteer days across several sites, totalling over 1,100 hours of time given by the 200 people who visited us to help out. Celia Abbott is Trinity’s Volunteer Manager and isn’t surprised by the popularity of such schemes: “Doing a corporate volunteering day with Trinity is a great way for teams to make a difference whilst having a fun and uplifting day together as well. Time could be spent in one of our charity shops, in our award-winning hospice garden, in our retail distribution centre or at a fundraising event. Bringing colleagues together to have fun and feel inspired creates a fantastic day for everyone involved.” Head Gardener Graham Scott was also awarded £1000 worth of brand-new garden equipment, after Social Value Manager, Bobby-Jay Lorraine from Sir Robert McAlpine surprised him with the news that everything on his garden wish list had been bought. Graham said of the delivery: “I was overwhelmed when I was told the hospice was to receive everything on the list as well as a new Rattan sofa set and cushions too. The pond vacuum cleaner will be used to remove the silt and sludge from the pond, giving the fish a better living environment. When I looked at getting the pond cleaned professionally this would have cost us £5,000 but now, we have the cleaner. I have already used the new long-handled pruner to cut some of the Wisteria off the front of the Elms, giving us access to taller shrubs around the gardens without using a ladder. The birdbath will give our visiting birds somewhere to wash, and drink, and so on behalf of myself and the hospice, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for all your donations, helping us to look after the gardens and keep the fish and wildlife happy." Local Business wanting to do your bit? Companies wanting to support Trinity with volunteer days or fundraising can contact: Celia - Volunteer Manager email: [email protected] Charlotte - Fundraising team email: [email protected] Become a Royal Trinity Hospice Local Business Hero Volunteer for us Manage Cookie Preferences