12 community projects in the Harrogate area were given a boost recently, thanks to the help and support of over 200 staff from ventilation manufacturer, EnviroVent.
EnviroVent staff based in Harrogate were given a day away from work as part of an ‘In it together’ initiative, where they volunteered to help out on a range of worthwhile community projects. This included assisting with the set-up of Urban Beach Party at Henshaw’s Society for Blind People in Knaresborough, which involved painting signs, decorating, and carrying out general maintenance to make sure that the centre was all set up for its party, raising much needed funds for the charity.
Other staff from EnviroVent took part in community singing with Dementia Forward, while some took on a charity car wash that pitted two teams against each other to wash shoppers’ cars to raise funds.
Another team took on the task of clearing grounds and the garden at St John’s Church in Bilton. The volunteers also helped to give local carers a break, supporting The Carer’s Resource in Harrogate, whilst another team of staff took part in helping Horticap, a unique garden for adults with learning disabilities nestled in the Harrogate countryside, with maintenance work.
EnviroVent HR manager, Lucinda Townsend, said: “I really enjoyed working with colleagues from across the company who I wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to work with. It is fantastic to be part of a company that is willing to give something back to the local community and it was a genuine pleasure to work alongside the students at Horticap.”
The volunteers also helped to transform the space behind the church building at Woodland’s Church into a community garden. IT support apprentice Finn Macadam commented: “It was a fantastic day. I really enjoyed helping to maintain the gardens at Woodlands Church and getting my hands dirty!”
Catherine Baxter from Woodlands Church Community Garden added: “The volunteers from EnviroVent helped us to do some essential jobs to encourage more wildlife into our community garden. The garden is so important as it provides a green space for everyone to enjoy, young and old, sighted and visually impaired, able and those with mobility difficulties.”
Other volunteers cut back hedges and carried out general grounds maintenance for Pannal Ash Junior Football Club and Fountains Abbey. The teams also helped with odd jobs, gardening and decorating for people who are losing their sight and being supported by Vision Support. The volunteers also helped to cook and serve breakfast at Harrogate Mind, as well as helping the charity to organise a pool tournament.
Andy Makin, managing director of EnviroVent, commented: “This is the second time that we have held our ‘In it Together’ community day and it has been a huge success once again. It is fantastically motivating for our team to get involved in something so far removed from everyday working life but that impacts on the community in such a positive way. We’ve had some great feedback from the charities and organisations we have helped and overall it has been a hugely rewarding experience.”