BOWMER + Kirkland is one of the largest privately owned construction and development groups in the UK. The Renewal Trust is a small local charity in Nottingham supporting communities in Sneinton and St Ann’s. With National Volunteering Week this week, it’s timely to explore how two very different organisations are benefiting each other through strategic volunteering.
Helen Bedford is Social Value Manager at Bowmer + Kirkland. She explained how it all started:
“After winning numerous construction jobs in Nottingham, I researched the area to find out more about local communities in the city. I came across The Renewal Trust’s New Roots – Branching Out project at St Ann’s Allotments online and thought it would be a great fit for Bomwer + Kirkland.
“Our engagement includes donating building materials and volunteering, including skilled volunteering. For example, we have provided policy and procedures guidance and have offered to help with bid writing. We also helped The Renewal Trust foster a relationship with University of Derby students to assist with GIS mapping the historic St Ann’s Allotments site.”
Volunteers from Bowmer + Kirkland are also happy to get their hands dirty, recently pitching in to help The Renewal Trust protect fragile hedgerows on one of the plots they manage at St Ann’s Allotments – the Perry Orchard. Adam Mckillop, New Roots – Branching Out Project Manager calls them his hedgerow heroes.
He said:
“The Bowmer + Kirkland team came along brimming with enthusiasm and worked tirelessly to coppice and replant the hedgerows. The existing hedge is already sprouting new shoots after being cut down to ground level, while the new young hedgerow plants are growing to provide lush, green cover.”
The New Roots – Branching Out project is run by The Renewal Trust in partnership with East Midlands Probation Service Community Payback team. It gives people on probation green skills, training and work experience, while also connecting them with nature and each other to support their mental health. Bowmer + Kirkland’s volunteers were joined by their children as the session was held in the school holidays, as well as people on probation and allotment holders.
Helen continued:
“The volunteering day at the allotments was great. It was hard work but a great team building activity. Once we had finished, we had a massive sense of achievement and pride knowing that we had helped preserve such an important habitat for wildlife. These kinds of activities are helping us reach more communities, in all the regions we work in.”
Adam was also pleased with how the day went:
“It was great to see so much natural interaction, teamwork and communication between all involved.”
Sharing knowledge, skills and experience is benefiting both organisations. For example, Bowmer + Kirkland were on-hand to offer invaluable advice and support when The Renewal Trust discovered an old brick structure on one of their plots at St Ann’s Allotments. From how it could be renovated and the best structural approach, to supplying the building materials needed.
In turn, engaging with The Renewal Trust’s communities and nature at St Ann’s Allotments is helping Bowmer + Kirkland achieve its ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) goals and support staff wellbeing. As part of the recent volunteering day, The Renewal Trust delivered a presentation on hedge coppicing, and also provided practical guidance throughout the day on habitat management and the charity’s vision for its New Roots – Branching Out project.
Bowmer + Kirkland is also planning to offer employability sessions with The Renewal Trust for people on probation, fostering relationships between the charity and local colleges and universities, and continuing to volunteer.
Helen would recommend supporting local charities to other businesses. She said:
“It is a mutually beneficial arrangement where we help The Renewal Trust and they help us, enabling our staff to leave the usual nine-to-five and get out into nature as well as teambuilding.”
Adam shares his advice for charities:
“it’s great to engage businesses in volunteering, however the ‘fit’ must be right. Working alongside others must be a two-way street to understand each other’s vision and what can be achieved together. It’s good to listen and learn from perspectives outside your own day-to-day working environment and as our relationship with Bowmer + Kirkland shows, this works both ways. It’s brilliant having them in our corner.”
