Spring delivered a burst of volunteering energy and generosity. 43 colleagues from Marble Arch companies volunteered 150 hours of their time in May 2023 to support local projects as part of the Community Programme.
On 15 May 2023, colleagues from British Land headed to one of LDN London’s residential sites to volunteer their skills and time to help maintain their garden. LDN London provides support for children, young people and adults with complex needs and profound and multiple disabilities. The charity runs a number of day centres and residential properties across Westminster and the surrounding boroughs to support individuals and their families. 17 volunteers worked together to transform the garden into a riot of colour, painting a raised bed, garden furniture, shed doors and fencing in bold, bright shades, and planting colourful herbs, plants and flowers throughout the space. Volunteers worked throughout the day sanding, painting, mowing and planting in order to create a welcoming space where residents and staff can safely enjoy the outdoors. The bright paints and colourful, scented flowers add a strong sensory element to the garden. British Land and The Nurture Landscapes Group generously donated all of the equipment and plants used on the day.
British Land colleagues add a pop of colour to the garden shed.
Volunteers plant and paint at LDN London.
Later that week, Hilton London Metropole welcomed 28 Open Age members for an afternoon of board games in their Tyburn Bar. Open Age works across London with people aged over 50, supporting them to sustain their physical and mental fitness, make friends and develop new interests. Participants were treated to a broad array of decadent cakes alongside tea and coffee to fuel games of dominoes, Articulate, cards and more. This was a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to really engage with local older people and to provide a few hours of companionship and fun.
Hilton volunteers join a serious game of Scrabble.
Open Age members enjoy a round of Articulate.
As part of their Associate Appreciation Week, 16 volunteers from Marriott Marble Arch took to the water on 19 May 2023 to clean up the Grand Union and Little Venice Canal. Colleagues set sail in electric GoBoats from Paddington Basin and spent two hours on the water removing litter and plastic pollution from the canal. Marriott volunteers returned to dry land with an impressive collection of items removed from the water, including a tyre, wheel, cone and a wellington boot! This activity was a wonderful way for volunteers to enjoy time outdoors with colleagues, whilst highlighting the severity of pollution in London’s waterways. The Marriott team helped to ensure the local community can enjoy the canal as a clean, safe place to appreciate the natural environment.
We have plenty more planned for the weeks ahead. Volunteers from The Cumberland Hotel are set to plant fruits and vegetables with local primary school children on 6 June 2023, and later that month we will be supporting Hammerson PLC with 4 volunteering projects across the local community. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our community team if you’d like to get your Marble Arch colleagues involved in volunteering initiatives close to your office.
