A team of 11 employees from Amey, who deliver highways and winter maintenance services on behalf of Hampshire County Council, spent a day helping out at The Sustainability Centre based at East Meon near Petersfield.
The Sustainability Centre is an independent learning and study centre, a beacon for sustainability and an award-winning social enterprise charity in the heart of the South Downs. It has a holistic, practical and creative approach to education.
The Amey team , led by Kevin Jones and Joel Leyland, spent the day cutting and bundling willow to be used by the Sustainability Centre for craft courses such as basket making ;community projects such as living willow sculptures and children’s activities as part of their schools programme.
Every Amey employee can spend a day volunteering with a charity or community group of their choice as part of its community engagement programme. Over 75% of Amey’s local workforce in Hampshire used their day during 2016 to make a difference to the local community.
Rachael Arden The Sustainability Centre’s Volunteer Co-ordinator said: “ We thoroughly enjoyed working with Amey! They are a great bunch and worked tirelessly. Our willow beds are vast , so we really appreciated their help with such a massive task. Their Community Engagement Programme works fantastically for charities such as ourselves.”
Kevin Jones commented “I spend much of my working day in an office so it was great to get outside and get my hands dirty for a change. I was very impressed by the Centre's hands on approach to sustainability”.
Paul Anderson , Account Director for Amey, said: “We are delighted to support this wonderful charity and help continue their important work. Our employees always enjoy taking part in community projects and this activity in particular has proved very rewarding for all those involved.”
For more information about the Sustainability Centre click on their website www.sustainability-centre.org