Staff from across NatWest’s relationship management banking team in Swansea and West Wales have been quite literally digging deep to help a local primary school.
Armed with their wellies and shovels, the green fingered bankers helped to dig an area of land clear at St Joseph’s Primary Cathedral School in Greenhill, Swansea which teachers hope to transform into a woodland exploration area for schoolchildren.
The NatWest staff volunteered their time as part of the bank’s work supporting local communities. All members of staff at the bank are entitled to a minimum of three days volunteering each year to help their local community and are encouraged to support a good cause to help others.
The team in Swansea, led by Annamaria Bridson, Director of Business Banking for Mid and West Wales, decided to help the school after learning about its plans to bring nature closer to the lives of children at the school.
She said:
“It’s important schoolchildren are encouraged to embrace the outdoors and learn about the different environments they live in. This is why St Joseph’s project to develop a woodland exploration area stood out so much to us and why we wanted to do our bit. Now the area they want to develop is clear they have a wonderful opportunity to develop the woodland project, which we are continuing to support.”
As part of NatWest’s Community Cashback scheme the bank has also donated £250, which the school plans to use as part of a fund to children access to waterproof clothing so they can enjoy the woodland even in the rain.
Angela Heald, head teacher at St Joseph’s Primary Cathedral School, said:
“We’re extremely grateful to NatWest for all of its support. Annamaria, Tim and the rest of the team worked so tirelessly and helped us take an important step towards realising our dream for the woodland. It’s wonderful that NatWest is so proactive in letting its staff support good causes like this.”
Last year NatWest staff throughout the UK completed 100,368 hours of volunteering during business time and Annamaria says they are looking forward to supporting more good causes in their region of West Wales in the coming months.
