Staff from London General Insurance (LGI) are transforming disused space to enhance a new outdoor play area for more than 30 disabled youngsters in the Forest of Dean.
Thirty staff from LGI, based in Mitcheldean, will transform a disused area of land at NCH The Collies – a centre run by NCH, the children’s charity which provides residential short breaks and outreach for disabled children and young people who live in the Forest of Dean.
The land earmarked for the new play area will need to be cleared of rubble and rubbish before work can begin. A shed on the site will also be refurbished as part of the project to store play equipment for the youngsters. NCH The Collies has benefited from a previous garden makeover which made a huge difference to the centre, but money and resources meant the second phase of the scheme could not be completed.
Without the support of LGI , children at NCH The Collies would not benefit from the extended play area, which will also incorporate a quiet area for reflection and reading. The work will be completed on three Fridays during April and May, starting on April 25. “We are thrilled that London General Insurance has chosen to work with NCH The Collies. Having an enhanced play area ready for the summer will be a real boost to our young people and will provide a fantastic new area for ball games and other activities. The young people who use NCH The Collies have a wide range of abilities and therefore the wide range of facilities in the garden offers the opportunity to develop their individual skills through play,” said NCH Collies’ Project Coordinator, Sheralyn Turner.
The play area project at The Collies forms part of London General’s overall community commitment in the Forest of Dean. The volunteering project has been organised by Robert Quiney from the Gloucestershire Employer Supported Volunteering Network, which encourages employers to see the team-building and personal development opportunities offered by volunteering. Many of the staff involved in The Collies project work in different departments, including administration, finance, motor claims and the customer service centre. The Collies project will support team building and give staff a real sense of achievement.
Tim Fretter, Forest of Dean Volunteer Centre Manager said: “The Collies initiative is a highly practical volunteering project which will have long-term value to disabled young people living in the Forest of Dean. Employer supported volunteering initiatives of this kind are an excellent way of introducing people to volunteering. Many people get the volunteering bug after getting involved in a work team building day and often contact us to help them find other volunteer opportunities.”
Celia Lawson-Pegg, Head of Learning and Development at London General Insurance said: “A volunteering challenge is an excellent way for our staff to get to know each other and work as part of a team, whilst giving something back to the community at the same time. We are delighted to support The Collies and to leave them with a new play facility for all the young people to enjoy in the months and years to come.”
To find out more about volunteering in the Forest of Dean contact Tim Fretter on 01594 822073.
For more information on recruitment opportunities available at London General Insurance go to www.londongeneralinsurance.co.uk
Ends
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Issued by CMPR, The Mews, Brook Street, Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire Gl17 0SL
LGI people help NCH build play area
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April 30 2008
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