npower and Zurich Volunteers Dig In For Community Ground
Released
on: June 24, 2009, 9:18 am
Author: npower
Industry: Energy
npower
and Zurich, two of Swindon's largest employers, have swapped their
shirts and boots for overalls and wellies, digging deep to support
the development of a community environmental facility at a local
primary school.
Volunteers
from both npower and Zurich
have been working with Rodbourne Cheney Primary School to form
a 'field of knowledge', developing a variety of creative learning
zones using natural and recycled materials.
The
primary school has developed various areas of the field over the
last year, involving members of the local community which suffers
from high levels of unemployment.
Rising
to the challenge, the teams set about using their working day
to revamp selected areas of the field. The npower team focused
on creating an outdoor seating area, with a barbeque and log seating
for children to observe the surrounding wildlife, whilst Zurich
created a wildflower garden, with the aim of attracting butterflies
and other wildlife to the area.
The
day's activities took place as part of Volunteers' Week (1 - 7
June), which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Tony
Martin, volunteer development manager at Zurich Community Trust,
said: "Working together has been a rewarding experience for
everyone involved. By joining forces we have been able to take
on a big challenge for the school and local community."
In
2008, both npower and Zurich were awarded the prestigious Community
Mark from Business in the Community (BitC), in recognition
of their commitment to investing in their local communities.
Jacqui
Gavin, community investment executive at npower
, said: "There was some healthy rivalry on the day which
only spurred the volunteers on. It was fantastic to look back
at the end of the session and see what we had been able to achieve
by working together."
Liz
Matthews, community tutor at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School,
said: "We are dedicated to developing outdoor learning spaces
where the children can learn about the importance of the environment
and protecting wildlife in an inspirational multi-sensory environment.
"The
volunteer teams have helped to take us one step closer to achieving
our vision, which we plan to open up to the surrounding community
so that everyone can enjoy this wonderful space."
The
teams plan to transform a dilapidated school shed into an outdoor
classroom when they return for their last session in the summer.
Ends
Notes
to Editor:
About
npower:
RWE
npower is the only utility business, amongst 13 other large
companies in the UK, to receive the prestigious BitC Community
Mark. The Community Mark is a new BitC standard, created to recognise
companies that are good investors in local communities and who
have brought about real and positive changes.
Rodbourne
Cheney Primary School has established a vision for outdoor learning
with the help of parents, local charities including TWIGGS and
the Great Western Community Forest, and the surrounding community.
Issued
by Freshwater UK on behalf of npower
For further information:
Vicci Mace
Freshwater UK
The Waters Edge
Birmingham
West Midlands
B1 2HL
0121 633 7775
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