Twelve community projects in the Harrogate area were given a boost recently, thanks to the help and support of over 200 members of staff from ventilation manufacturer EnviroVent.

EnviroVent staff, normally based at Hornbeam Business Park in Harrogate, were given a day away from work as part of an ‘In it together’ initiative where they volunteered to help out with a range of worthwhile community projects. This included assisting with the set-up of the Urban Beach Party at Henshaw’s Society for Blind People in Knaresborough which involved painting signs, decorating and carrying out general maintenance to make sure that the centre was all set up for its party, raising much-needed funds for the charity.

Other staff from EnviroVent took part in community singing with Dementia Forward, some took on a charity car wash that pitted two teams against each other to wash shoppers’ cars to raise funds, whilst another team took on the task of clearing grounds and the garden at St John’s Church in Bilton. The volunteers also helped to give local carers a break supporting The Carer’s Resource in Harrogate, whilst another team of staff took part in helping Horticap, a unique garden for adults with learning disabilities nestled in the Harrogate countryside, with maintenance work.

EnviroVent HR Manager, Lucinda Townsend, said: “I really enjoyed working with colleagues from across the company who I wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to work with. It is fantastic to be part of a company that is willing to give something back to the local community and it was a genuine pleasure to work alongside the students at Horticap.”

The volunteers also helped to transform the space behind the church building at Woodland’s Church into a community garden, IT Support Apprentice Finn Macadam commented: “It was a fantastic day. I really enjoyed helping to maintain the gardens at Woodlands Church and getting my hands dirty!

Catherine Baxter from Woodlands Church Community Garden added: “The volunteers from EnviroVent helped us to do some essential jobs to encourage more wildlife into our community garden. The garden is so important as it provides a green space for everyone to enjoy, young and old, sighted and visually impaired, able and those with mobility difficulties.”

Other volunteers cut back hedges and carried out general ground maintenance for Pannal Ash Junior Football Club and Fountains Abbey. The teams also helped with odd jobs, gardening and decorating for people who are losing their sight and being supported by Vision Support and for the Help at Home Service on behalf of Harrogate and Ripon Centres for Voluntary Service. The volunteers also helped to cook and serve breakfast at Harrogate Mind, as well as helping the charity to organise a pool tournament.

The activities were arranged soley by EnviroVent in order to provide a positive impact on society.

Andy Makin, Managing Director of EnviroVent, said: “This is the second time that we have held our ‘In it Together’ community day and it has been a huge success once again. It is fantastically motivating for our team to get involved in something so far removed from everyday working life but that impacts on the community in such a positive way. We’ve had some great feedback from the charities and organisations we have helped and overall it has been a hugely rewarding experience.”

EnviroVent plays its part in putting back into local charities and has helped to raise £35,000 for Saint Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate over the past few years.

For more information on improving the air quality in your home, find your local EnviroVent Specialist Ventilation Advisor, via the website www.envirovent.com or by calling 0345 27 27 810.

Lending A Hand In the Local Community