10th November 2026
Sanctuary
Staff from our Worcester office put on their gardening gloves to help prepare Worcester Community Garden for winter.
The charity provides a welcoming green space near Pitchcroft Racecourse, just a short walk from our headquarters at Sanctuary House on Castle Street.
Making the most of a break in the autumn rain, the volunteers from our communications team helped out by weatherproofing decking, fitting anti-slip strips to steps, pruning vines and topping up compost in pots.
The work formed part of our employee volunteering programme, which gives colleagues up to two paid working days each year to support charities and community projects.
Sanctuary has offered volunteering opportunities to its employees since 2013, with more than 21,000 volunteering hours contributed through the scheme to date. Colleagues get involved in a wide variety of projects, from gardening and decorating to supporting food banks and helping deliver community activities.
Mizanur Rahman, Senior Community Investment Administrator, said: “Our colleagues have a wide range of professional and practical skills that can make a real difference to local organisations.
“Volunteering also gives employees an opportunity to meet new people, develop their skills and work with colleagues in a different setting. We’re always looking to hear from local charities and community groups that could benefit from our teams’ support.”
Jon Bodenham, Trustee at Worcester Community Garden, said: “The Community Garden is thriving thanks to its 200 plus volunteers this year.
"Sanctuary teams of volunteers have made a significant contribution to our work, unflinchingly happy to turn compost, do weeding, watering and helping with our construction tasks. They get stuck in with humour and enthusiasm and are a joy to have around.”
Any local charities and community organisations that need help with short-term projects, including improving indoor and outdoor spaces, raising awareness or accessing professional skills such as IT, marketing and communications can find out more about Sanctuary volunteering through the website.
