Our responsibility to our local communities
Edenred encourages our employees to take part in events and initiatives that support and encourage bonds with local communities.
Volunteers from Edenred have taken part in a number of local environmental initiatives, with the aim of reclaiming neglected public areas and restoring them to improve conditions for wildlife and for the enjoyment of local communities. We have worked with Thames 21, an environmental charity that aims to transform neglected and littered waterways into areas that everyone can use, on a number of occasions.
Earth Guest Day, April 2010
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On a bright sunny morning under clear blue skies, a team of twelve volunteers met up with the charity Trees for Cities to work on a project at Rothersfield Primary School in Islington. The aim was to transform an area of the grounds into a multi-purpose edible playground and provide an outdoor classroom for the children to learn about growing their own food. It also gave the school the opportunity to build on its commitment to sustainability. |
The team split into smaller groups to perform a variety of tasks. Four volunteers were kitted out in protective suits and masks to prepare and paint the brick wall around the vegetable garden. The aim was to brighten and provide an attractive backdrop to the area. The rest of the team set to work digging and carting wheel barrow loads of compost to fill the raised vegetable beds. Once full, the soil was raked over and flattened ready for the children to plant carrots, peas and courgettes in the next few days.
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A smaller corner of the playground was set aside to make a sensory garden. Into this were planted Lavender, Rosemary and other scented shrubs which will provide an array of smells, textures and colours for the children to discover.
The school had already planted apple trees, raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries and rhubarb round the edge of the play area and the team covered these borders with a thick layer of mulch to help retain moisture and prevent weeds growing. |
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The final tasks were to water all the plants and rake over the playground to remove larger stones and debris to make it a safe area for the children once again.
Stanlaw Abbey/Action for Children
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This was the team's second visit to Stanlaw Abbey following the Management Day there last year. Stanlaw Abbey is a Sure Start Centre based in Ellesmere Port which supports families with children aged 0-5 in the area. The centre offers services such as pre-natal, family counselling, a Sensory Room and an allotment, and relies on many volunteers for support. The task was to sand and re-paint extensive railings and gates at the entrance to the centre, in bright primary colours, making it welcoming to the children. |
Despite most of the team ending up covered in paint, which took days to get off skin and hair, everyone agreed it was an enjoyable day for a worthwhile cause.
