Team Employee Volunteering in Nottingham

The team wanted to contribute to their local community's environment whilst working together, relating to their community social goals.

Company Type: Retail
Venue Type: Park
Task Type: Environmental - Outdoor Clearance
Team Size: 16
Location: Nottingham
Optional Employer Donation: None

• Outcomes: The team had a great day together, they are normally based separately and some had only spoken on the phone so it was a great opportunity for team building. The team completed the task in good time as they really got stuck in and were motivated to make a difference.
• Venue Profile: Coppice Park is located in the St Ann’s area of Nottingham – an area of high social deprivation and so this are of parkland
  provides a very welcome green space for people who may not have access to gardens of their own.
• What Happened: CSV was asked to find projects in the local area to the company who are based nationally but have regional stores in Nottingham. The team chose the park based on its close proximity to them and the scope to make a significant difference.
  On the day the team arrived at 8am and after an introduction from the park rangers which included a Health & Safety briefing the team worked together to diversify an area of woodland by clearing a basketball court size piece of land. They cut down and removed small trees, brambles and weeds. They stacked timber in habitat piles and made dead hedging borders for animals to nest in as well as laying some new mulch on the steps up to the clearing. With all of their hard work the team were able to take an hour lunch and were finished by 4pm.
• Team Feedback:
  “Enjoyed all tasks. It made a nice change as I got to know a manager who I had only talked to briefly before”
  “I enjoyed the day and feel that everyone worked well together, we achieved a lot – very tiring”
• Venue Feedback:
  “We have had positive comments from a number of regular park users including a local councilor. The impact to the community is in taking another step towards a safe, diverse park with much potential for recreation and education.”