It’s Volunteers’ Week and SSE is celebrating five years of its popular employee volunteering scheme, Community at Heart.
Every SSE staff member is encouraged to take a day’s paid leave from their normal work duties and spend time working with a charity or group that matters to them in their local community.
Since it started we’ve given a helping hand to over 2,000 projects across the UK. Here is a snapshot of just some of the worthy causes we’ve worked with and what they think of SSE’s support:
Hilsea Lines
More than 150 employees helped restore miles of paths at the historic Hilsea Lines in Portsmouth by carrying out maintenance work, tree felling and clearing debris. The 80 hectare former military base was initially built in the 18th century to protect the area from invaders but has been developed many times over the years and is now a conservation area.
“The teams from SSE have carried out sterling work. I have received lots of positive comments from visitors which show the impact the company volunteers have made.” Peter Roberts, Countryside Ranger.
A storytelling retreat
A team from Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution’s (SHEPD) Inverness and Aviemore depots helped create an outdoor storytelling area for an Inverness Primary School. The 11 tree cutters used their expertise to create a wooden storytelling retreat featuring 29 wooden seats, a bench and a carved owl for the children (and teachers) to enjoy.
“We wanted to create something a little bit different and the team from SHEPD have done a marvellous job.” Emma Rennie, Teacher at Merkinch Primary School.
Dog walking
A team from marketing and transmission projects spent the day at a sanctuary helping look after over 40 retired greyhounds. The employees helped with the enormous daily task of walking, feeding and bathing the dogs at the rescue centre in Fife.
“We are really grateful for the volunteers’ hard work. Cleaning the spaces and spending some time with our dogs during the visit helps improve the facilities and lifestyles of the animals staying with us.” Celia Fernie, manager of Greyhound Rescue Fife.
A festive treat
Residential students and their carers from Craig y Parc School in Cardiff, were treated to a Christmas party organised by staff at SWALEC. As well as planning and organising the festive event, the employees were on hand to serve the students a Christmas lunch and ensure the party was a big success.
"We’re really grateful for all the planning and hard work that SWALEC put in to the party. The children really enjoyed the afternoon and it was lovely to see them having such a wonderful time." Joanne Parr, Learning Support Assistant at Craig y Parc School.
Dublin Folk Gig
Staff at SSE Renewables in Ireland helped organise the ‘Come Down from the Mountains’ folk concert which helped raise almost €2,000 for the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. More than 100 local hill walkers, musicians and folk music lovers attended the event
with a mix of traditional and contemporary folk melodies and songs.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to the folks at SSE Renewables for organising this event. We’re lucky and very thankful that during these tough financial times there are people who continually fundraise for us.” Brian O’ Doherty, a volunteer at Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue.