DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS have clocked up more than 26,000 hours helping out charities and community groups.
Employees from Perth energy giant SSE have backed an inspirational initiative to help people in need by taking a day off work each year to participate in a range of activities, including dog-walking, litter-picking and bulb-planting.
This has helped the firm’s Community at Heart project reach this impressive figure its highest since the scheme began in 2009.
Over the last 12 months, more than 400 projects have benefited from 3,510 volunteering days, with 3,200 employees taking part, and SSE plans to top this next year.
Staff from its Perth headquarters have helped make a massive difference to Corbenic Camphill, a residential campus in Dunkeld for adults with learning difficulties.
Around 60 volunteers have visited the facility three times over the last year, clearing trees and creating a new path to form a poetry trail.
Their efforts were praised by estate team leader Jon Plunkett.
“I can’t stress enough the difference the SSE staff have made to the grounds of our estate,” he said.
“The newly-created path has enabled more residents and visitors to access and enjoy the vast grounds and river.
“We’d like to thank them for their dedication to helping transform our poetry path and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
The initiative is part of SSE’s pledge to support its local communities and involves a wide range of activities, including restoring a barge and cleaning up zoos.
Community volunteering manager, Cindy Cummings said: “We are delighted with the success our Community at Heart scheme has had to date and it’s fantastic news that we’ve also managed to complete even more projects this year than last.
“All our employees really enjoy getting out and about, providing support for all kinds of charities and organisations.”
She urged any local charities or community groups to get in touch with their suggestions for 2013.
“Applications are welcome for any type of activity,” she said.
“It can be anything from tidying an overgrown garden and cleaning rubbish from a local beach, to crushing boxes or crunching numbers on a club’s behalf,” Cindy added.
To find out more, visit
sse.com/aboutus/employee/volunteering
.
sgray@thecourier.co.uk