Volunteering Voices: Lendlease, 1 Triton Square Team
In October of last year Camden Giving hosted a lunch and learn at Lendlease 1 Triton Square, presenting on who Camden Giving are, how we are trying to reduce inequality and poverty in the borough and how we have partnered with Urban Partners businesses to do this together, with corporate volunteering one piece of the puzzle. Campbell Rowe, Construction Director, made it clear to the team that he would support them with volunteering during working hours and was keen for as many people on the site to get involved. Scott Reid, Assistant Construction Manager, then became the lead representative, liaising between his colleagues and Camden Giving on how they could best volunteer their time going forward!
Impressively, through a wider team effort, over 1,000 items of food were collected for Euston Foodbank and delivered to them in time for the Christmas rush, supporting local families at a time of enhanced need. The team then didn’t stop here, instead setting up a crowd-funding page raising £1,950.00 from employees and the wider supply chain to support both Euston Foodbank and Little Village, a local charity committed to alleviating material poverty by getting clothes, toys and equipment to babies and children up to the age of 5. Once more the spirit of helping others stayed with the team, with 8 members volunteering their time to set up a Christmas party hosted by Dragon Hall for the elderly and homeless, ensuring they gained from a Christmas meal and celebration at a time when many people feel the enhanced effects of isolation. Project Director, Chris Carragher thanked the team, stating: “The engagement levels with the community have been extremely well received - well done to Scott Reid and Tomos Griffiths for their dogged approach and effort!”
Scott has ensured that the support pre-Christmas continues into the New Year, with plans for the team to volunteer time supporting Euston Foodbank sorting and preparing parcels for families set to take place shortly. The team have noted that they want to ensure people they supported during Christmas festivities continue to feel the benefit, especially in months when support can be found less readily. Zenab Mumtaz, Community Liaison Manager, is working with the wider team to schedule a series of workshops for local residents and charities to attend in 2020, on topics such as CV writing, social media & marketing, careers in the industry & bid-writing. This will ensure that brilliant grass-roots charities in Camden will benefit greatly from these free workshops, as formal training is something that budgets often aren’t able to stretch to.
The team at 1 Triton Square are best demonstrating how volunteering and engaging with the local community can be varied and include different members of a workforce. From practical hands-on tasks to logistical and strategic support, at Camden Giving we endeavour to ensure everybody can volunteer in a way that suits them and the 1 Triton Square team are putting that into effective practice. Our greatest thanks to the entire 1 Triton Square team and in particular, Scott, Zenab & Campbell for ensuring our brilliant conversations have turned into impactful social action.