Welsh Water is joining thousands of charities and organisations in recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK.
Throughout Volunteering Week – which runs until June 7 – Welsh Water colleagues will be taking part in volunteering events within communities in Wales and Herefordshire, focusing on making a positive impact in communities and the environment.
Over the last 12 months colleagues from Welsh Water dedicated more than 685 hours of volunteering to support 24 groups and organisations.
At Welsh Water, staff are encouraged to dedicate one working day a year to undertake volunteering activities in their communities. The initiative also allows staff to work with charities and organisations to encourage them to learn new skills and meet new people. The volunteering activities range from litter picking, supporting at animal rescue centres, working with children with disabilities, tree planting, and enhancing outdoor spaces.
Events hosted during Volunteering Week include:
- A 15km sponsored walk and litter pick along the coastal path that runs alongside the Menai Strait, in aid of Ty Gobaith / Hope House Hospice.
- In the South East the team will supporting Business in the Community with their volunteering at Llwynypia Boys and Girls club, carrying out gardening and maintenance activities.
- In the South West, Welsh Water volunteers will support Faith in Families, a Swansea-based charity dedicated to helping children and families facing hardship, with its Cwtch Mawr multibank providing essential items that bring comfort, dignity and practical help to those in need, as colleagues give their time during Volunteers' Week to pack and prepare supplies.
Volunteers' Week is led by the UK Volunteering Forum, a partnership between Volunteer Scotland, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland.
The UK Volunteering Forum said:
“Volunteers bring a richness to organisations across the country. There is no better time to recognise the diversity of our volunteers and celebrate the difference that volunteering makes than during Volunteers' Week. Without volunteers many charities just simply could not function, with so many people giving up their time and going above and beyond. The week is a chance for all of us to show just how vital they are to charities and communities everywhere.”
Danielle Thomas, Senior Community & Campaigns Manager for Welsh Water, said:
“We're proud to be supporting so many incredible causes during Volunteering Week, and over the last 12 months. As a not-for-profit organisation, customers are at the heart of everything we do. We already play a key role in our communities by providing the most essential of services – clean drinking water and treating wastewater before returning it back to the environment and we're delighted to support local charities and organisations in this way.
“We've also partnered with Keep Wales Tidy to set up official Keep Wales Tidy hubs and litter free zones at our offices in Kinmel Park. This location serves as central storage point for litter picking equipment, readily available for community groups and enthusiastic volunteers to embark on litter picks across North Wales and in their local community. This inspiring initiative not only enhances our local environment but also presents a tremendous opportunity for colleagues to come together and prioritise their well-being.”
