Thame and District Rotary’s Business in the Community Scheme involves volunteers from local businesses joining employees from other businesses, to undertake community projects, during company time. Rotary identifies projects through its links with local authorities, local charities and other similar organisations. The projects are generally of a practical nature requiring a different skill set to those used during the volunteer’s normal work.
The scheme was started this year when Kubota Ltd, Lightfoots Solicitors, Lucy Electric Ltd, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, Richardsons Chartered Accountants and Waitrose all agreed to participate. John Singer, President of Thame and District Rotary said,
“The response from local businesses and their employees has been fantastic. The first project undertaken was at Lewknor’s Blue Cross where the staff and vets room were redecorated. This was followed by the preparation of an allotment for the children at Chilworth House School. The third project was completed on 14th May when a team of seven volunteers carried out a project at Thomley.
Thomley is a centre for people of all abilities and disabilities. It brings disabled people, their families, carers and friends together with experienced and nurturing staff that support their additional needs and requirements. Thomley provides services for people with a wide range of learning, physical or medical impairments from birth to pension age Learning starts early in life mainly through play, leisure and recreational activities. For all of us, this is an initial start where we build social skills, physical capacity and confidence as well as learning to manage risks. Disabled people don’t have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers to engage in recreational, play, leisure and life skills development due to the nature and breadth of their impairments. This means they miss essential experiences their non-disabled peers take for granted. Thomley has developed the skills, experience and expertise in providing a wide range of active and creative recreational activities that support the development of social skills, confidence and physical/emotional well-being.
The team of volunteers from Richardsons Chartered Accountants, Lightfoots Solicitors and The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa constructed four very large planters from wood which had been donated to the Centre. Other members of the team repainted a large section of balustrading with wood preservative. The redecorating of the balustrading and the provision of the planters were both aimed at providing an improved environment for the people using the Centre and prevent deterioration of its decking area.
Warren Koehler, Thomley’s CEO, said “On behalf of Thomley, I would like to say a big thanks to all the volunteers. They were a pleasure to have around and did an excellent job! They would be welcomed back at any time. Also thanks to the Rotary for choosing Thomley to support with this scheme."
RyanBezuidenhout, General Manager of The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, said “We are pleased to support this initiative particularly working alongside other local companies to support the community. Our employees all feel that they have been able to help some really worthwhile local organisations.”
The monetary value of this first project is estimated at around £1,000 to Thomley however, the benefits have not been solely financial. Thomley has benefited by there being a resource of volunteers, businesses have been able to support their own community and volunteers have networked with colleagues and employees from other local companies as well as helping local charities. As Jemma Granger, volunteer from Lightfoots said: “I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to volunteer at Thomley, particularly as I have a personal connection to the centre. Thomley is a fantastic place and provides a safe and secure environment for people of all ages to develop and grow. It was a privilege to be able to carry out works for the centre to ensure it can continue to provide these superb facilities going forwards.”
Chris Biggs, Partner at Lightfoots and volunteer at Thomley said: ”The response from our staff to the Rotary Business in the Community Scheme has been incredible. Many of our employees live locally and have close ties with the charities and organisations involved, supporting them but also benefiting from the great work they carry out. When Rotary approached Lightfoots, we saw the initiative as the perfect way to support local charities and give our staff the opportunity to be further involved in the community. We’d like to thank all staff and firms involved for their commitment and enthusiasm and, of course, Rotary for the effort they have put in to planning and organising this exciting volunteer scheme.”
John Singer added: “Over the past three weeks, twenty-five employees from six local businesses have collaborated to complete three projects. The support from the companies has been immense. The response from the employees of these companies has been brilliant. In most cases there have more employees volunteering than we required. I’ve been asked to accept additional volunteers. Some companies have had to make a draw to help select the volunteers. The enthusiasm demonstrated by the volunteers during all three projects has been amazing. It’s been a great advert for the community spirit in and around Thame. The Rotary Club is proud to have been able to facilitate this initiative.”
John concluded: "Now that these first three projects have been successfully completed, we are planning to promote the scheme further to attract additional companies and would invite charities and similar organisations who have suitable projects to contact Rotary on www.thame.rotary1090.org or connect with us via: www.facebook.com/thamerotary
