Business in the Community's National Cares Day

National Cares Day was held by Business in the Community on 16 May, an intiative that mobilised over 4000 employee volunteers in 24 towns and cities all over the UK. The day presented the opportunity for employees to work together on projects that have a real impact on their local communities and, in doing so, helped hundreds of schools and community organisations in some of the most deprived areas of the UK. The volunteering initiative also enabled businesses to engage with their employees and support them in developing a wide range of skills.

As part of National Cares Day, London Better Together Day brought volunteers together in London. Over 2500 volunteers from more than 80 companies answered the call to improve their city by working in teams on large and small projects in schools and community organisations.
A group of top city lawyers from Eversheds teamed up with The Link Secondary School, a non maintained Special Needs school for 11 to 19 year olds. The volunteers worked with the pupils to complete a gardening project, enabling the school to grow their own plants and vegetables.

Joe Pearson, Headteacher of the school in Croydon Road, said "they constructed raised planter beds so the pupils can grow their own plants and food. I thought the idea of them coming and mucking in with our kids was wonderful."

The school uses speech and language therapy to teach children with expressive and repressive language problems. Some children also have communication problems such as autism, so this was a great opportunity for them to interact with adults.

Rae Gibbons-Fraser, who led the Eversheds team, said "my team and I really enjoyed working with the children and teachers at The Link Secondary school in Croydon. Enhancing their garden for use as part of the curriculum was a bonus but interacting with the children throughout the day and seeing their delight at the end result was our real reward.”
 

Posted 11th June 2008