Home Retail Group supported to access volunteering thanks to Community Action: MK
Volunteering and making a difference isn’t always about a big team making a big statement – just ask Abbegail Sawney and her team of 2! Originally the team were about 8-10 people in size but due to sickness and other commitments on the day the team shrunk. However, the group of 3 from Home Retail Group made a big impact on one of the gardens that St Mungos own. St Mungos support young people and provide a safe place to live for a period of time. They support people who are at risk and vulnerable and include isolated people with mental health or drug problems, current and ex offenders, former rough sleepers now in their own homes and people who are begging or street drinking. This is a vital service across the country and here in MK. St Mungos have various locations across MK and the small team from HRG dedicated their volunteering day at one location tidying up their garden and planting flowers.
Community Action: MK run a brokerage service between charities/local groups and cooperates who are looking for volunteering days across the city. We were able to support the group to find a great volunteering opportunity.
“This was the first time we were able to volunteer as a team at a local community organisation. We wanted to support a smaller charity as smaller groups are often over-looked. We had a site visit before hand and we really welcomed by the staff. None of our team lives in MK but we wanted to give something back to the community that we work in. We are all amateur gardeners but we have made a real impact today on the garden and it’s fantastic to see all the hard work we have put in has paid off!” – Abbegail, Home Retail Group
“It’s so important that we can provide a quiet, calm and inviting outdoor space for those who live here. The team have been great, they have worked really hard to transform the space and I know how grateful everyone will be. We need to organise a summer BBQ now, as the space is more accessible and I am sure it will be used a lot this summer!” – Eli, St Mungos
Volunteering provides an opportunity to give back and make a difference whether you are just one person or a team of 100 you can help make an impact in people’s lives.
If you are a business, charity or community group in Milton Keynes and would like to know more information about the programme please contact us at ev@communityactionmk.org or call 01908 661623.