NI Water volunteers help at Drumnaph Nature Reserve
15 October 2024 14:57
An enthusiastic team of NI Water volunteers helped at Drumnaph Nature Reserve in Maghera. Drumnaph Nature Reserve is jointly owned and managed by Carntogher Community Association and The Woodland Trust. Both organisations work together to ensure the ongoing protection and maintenance of this special ancient landscape. A fantastic day was had by a group of NI Water volunteers helping clear trail pathways on their beautiful walking routes used by local school groups.
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 volunteer Pearse Bardley commented, “We had a great day working with this worthwhile community group and also meeting colleagues from other teams across our organisation”.
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.”
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Caption: In the latest project, volunteers from across the organisation made a valuable contribution to Drumnaph Nature Reserve.