NI Water volunteers help at Southern Area Hospice

16 August 2024 9:26

An enthusiastic team of NI Water volunteers have helped at Newry’s Southern Area Hospice for over ten consecutive years, in which time they have helped develop and maintain the hospices beautiful gardens. A fantastic day was had by all helping this local community group.

The volunteering day is part of NI Water’s ‘Cares Challenge’ project which has been operating successfully for over ten years and is one of the largest corporate volunteering schemes in the province.

To date over 1,500 staff have volunteered in 100 challenges, equating to more than 10,000 hours of volunteering to help support communities across Northern Ireland.

NI Water Cares Challenge Volunteer Anthony Toner said: “Volunteering at the Hospice over the last 15 years, helping them maintain and develop their beautiful gardens, has been extremely rewarding and something I look forward to every year.”

As part of the programme, activities are planned for various groups throughout Northern Ireland each year and are set up in partnership with Business in the Community’s NI Cares Programme. The programme identifies organisations and charities within the local community who need a helping hand with physical tasks such as gardening and painting.

Rose Kelly, Director of People and Learning explained: “Our handy helpers have undertaken everything from gardening, painting and maintenance to environmental and fundraising days.  It is often the extra support that these groups require to enhance their facilities, improve the lives of their members and operate their centres successfully.

“Volunteering has also proved to be a key part of our health and wellbeing toolkit.  Our teams gain so much from the experience, not only by helping the community, but also having the chance to spend time with colleagues from around the business that they might not otherwise have a chance to meet.”

In the latest project, volunteers from across the organisation made a valuable contribution to helping develop and maintain the Hospices beautiful gardens.

 

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