British Land Make Big Impact in Community Week 2023
Between 21 and 23 June 2023, The Paddington Partnership Community Programme delivered 12 volunteering events to mark British Land’s annual Community Week. 110 colleagues gave nearly 500 hours of volunteer time, reaching an incredible 800 beneficiaries between them.
Working closely with British Land, the Community Programme designed a programme of diverse volunteering opportunities; enabling colleagues to share a range of work-based skills, hobbies and passions with the Paddington community; in addition to transforming spaces and enhancing the physical environment.
Activities included colleagues creating paper floral bouquets with patients and relatives at St John’s Hospice, producing bright canvasses alongside residents of a local women’s shelter, hosting a summer picnic and afternoon of garden games for members of older people’s charity Open Age, removing plastic waste from the canal and tow paths in Paddington, leading a popular property careers workshop with sixth formers at Marylebone Boys’ School, building flat pack furniture alongside students with autism and removing more than 50 bags of vegetation and weeds from a residential property for adults with learning disabilities.
For every project the Community Programme delivered, we worked closely with the relevant charity partner and a dedicated team leader from British Land to ensure the smooth running of each volunteer day from planning to completion. We visited sites in advance to ensure tools and equipment required by teams were ordered on time, to thoroughly risk assess each activity and produced comprehensive briefing documents so that all involved knew what to expect.
It was a privilege during the week to see how much enthusiasm teams brought to each activity – each group determined to make the greatest impact in the time available. it is clear from the feedback received that for both volunteers and charity and school partners, the week was a huge success.
“I would just like to say on behalf of all the residents and staff, a huge thank you to you and all the volunteers who worked so hard here yesterday in the heat to transform the garden areas. It all looks amazing. Please pass on our thanks to everyone involved. It has made such a massive difference and is the realisation of a vision in my head for over a year.” Mandy Shipley-Stevens, Operations Manager LDN London
“The workshop was so engaging and so informative for the students. They really got a great understanding of the property development market, and it has definitely widened their career aspirations.” Sarah Wilkins, Careers Lead, Marylebone Boys’ School
“Thank you for organising a really enjoyable day. I definitely think we’ve got some recruits for next year already! The tours were really insightful and you and your team made us all feel very welcome.” Haylea Powell, British Land – volunteered to support COSMIC at St Mary’s Hospital
If your company is planning a dedicated volunteering day, week or month and would like our support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Community Team. We would be delighted to chat to you further.
04.07.23
