Throughout the month of June our teams have been making of the most of the sunny weather supporting local charities and communities, and celebrating Volunteers Week (3 – 9 June).
On 2 June we celebrated a year-long social value project with Hollycombe Steam, hosting a family fun day.
Members of our Rail E&P team, together with our supply chain colleagues, have carried out multiple improvements such as enhancing training facilities and installing a test track to support future railway talent. Restoration of the 100-year old Liphook signal box was also part of the the project, as well as the renewal of track and sleepers along the narrow gauge quarry railway. Read more on our website.
Our Wales and Western Framework team, alongside our Network Rail colleagues, spent a day with 1st Stratton St Margaret Scout Group in Swindon, a charity supporting young people aged 4-18.
They transformed an unused space into a new transverse climbing wall, complete with a surrounding fence, and brightened the scout hall with a fresh coat of paint and new fixtures.
The Barnes Access for All project rail team and Network Rail colleagues completed a volunteering day at Barnes Common helping to brighten the area for local walkers. The team repaired existing footpaths, cleared vegetation and excavated two areas of grassland with high acidic level not part of the natural ecology, to help maintain a protected and rare eco system.
Penrith Canoe Club, in Cumbria are now able to continue with their summer sessions, all thanks to Craig Bailie, Senior Quantity Surveyor and Ben Lamb, Project Manager for our Scheme Delivery Framework in the North West. Alongside Metcalfe contractors we assisted in getting their canoe trailer roadworthy again and covered the costs associated with the repairs. The team’s work has helped to prevent the need to transport the equipment to each session up and down the motorway, on the roof of cars.
The Hertfordshire Framework team welcomed a student from Sherrardswood School, Welwyn, for a two-day placement. The student learnt about our projects, met our Highways Framework Manager and Delivery Director and created Disability Pride Month posters for our Hatfield office, in support of July’s national campaign. The team were delighted to support this important campaign and the student’s learning.
Four colleagues in our ORCE BCP team spent two days enacting mock interviews and CV support with year 10 and year 12 children at Bitterne Park Secondary School. The interviews were aimed at developing career skills for children who will soon be leaving school and help them thrive in their future careers.
Together with our customer, National Highways, and our supply chain partner the, A46 Walsgrave team supported Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire, a charity supporting people who are homeless and support with work opportunities.
The team spent a day clearing overgrown vegetation in their garden, painting rooms and supporting their foodbank. Brightening these areas has made a huge difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people living in the shelter. The team also spent another day gardening at the Zen Community Garden, an initiative run by Project Springboard providing a place of mental wellbeing to volunteers, work experience opportunities and freshly-grown food donations to local food banks.
Members of the ORCE SDF South West team, along with a representative from Crown Plus, supported the James Hopkins Trust Golf Day! Every year the SDF South West team take part in the annual James Hopkins Trust Golf day at Cheltenham. This year the team donated gold balls and tee buddies and carried out a litter pick day before the event. hey also donated over £300 to the James Hopkins Trust, which provides nursing respite care for Gloucestershire’s life-limited and life-threatened young children.
The Miners Arms project team also spent a day clearing litter near the site.
Did you know that.. Every Octavius employee is entitled to one Community Day every year to carry out worthwhile work within the community or develop a new skill. Speak with your Line Manager or visit Atlas SharePoint site to complete yours.
