Professional services staff within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences recently enjoyed a day volunteering at local charities.

Following the success of previous years, staff were grouped into teams and spent the day supporting the community by helping out at Dorothy House Hospice, Dorothy House charity shops, Root Connections, and National Trust locations Prior Park and Dyrham Park. A group also undertook a sponsored walk in aid of Children's Hospice South West, raising a fantastic £228.

The volunteering day has become a popular date in the calendar, giving staff the opportunity to be involved with the fantastic work being done by these local charities, as well as getting the chance to bond and build relationships outside of the office.

To give a flavour of the day, hear from staff members Helen and Rebecca about their experiences at Dyrham Park and Root Connections.

Helen - Dyrham Park

Helen enjoyed her day among the wildlife:

Our day was spent at Dyrham Park with the aim to help maintain some of the woodland. We had a warm welcome from the employees and were very lucky to have our own tour of the grounds from one of the volunteers. We then started work, clearing overgrown trees and hedges in order to keep the fences clear. No deer were spotted unfortunately despite 25 being recently introduced and some recent fawns being born. We were on constant look out, mistaking some bushes for deer several times, but they were definitely hiding from us.

We all said it was so lovely to be outside for the day in the fresh air and doing some physical work. And I think they may have a couple of new National Trust members coming their way!

Rebecca - Root Connections

Rebecca also had an enjoyable day working outside:

We spent an amazing day at Root Connections, a rural homelessness charity who partly fund their work by running a veg box and flower delivery scheme using their own home grown produce. Seven of us were put to work on a very hot and sunny Friday in a variety of jobs from making overgrown beds ready to replant by clearing old pea plants, to weeding, planting new seeds and stripping and pleating garlic ready for drying.

The team at Root Connections could not have been more welcoming and it was a real pleasure to be welcomed into such a lovely and peaceful space. We even got to enjoy some of their home grown veg!

How to support these charities

If you’d like to like to support any of the charities, you can find more information online: