Eleven EDF Energy workers from the Hove offices spent a day helping the Brownbread Horse Rescue Charity as volunteers.
Organiser, Jenny had paid a previous visit to do a 'Risk Assessment' and discuss the jobs that needed doing. This was about the fourth group that have come from EDF in the last 6 months. Apparently there is a list of many charities that are offering voluntary work for EDF to come and help. However, perhaps it is the idillic rural setting of Brownbread that most of the EDF groups opt to go to Brownbread for their voluntary work. The company encourages and pays their employees to the highest level to form teams, "Helping Hands" to offer their services free to the charity although they are still paid by the EDF company for the two charity days work each year. The comp[any, like many other large companies, see the venture as a form of team and leadership building and they are probably right.
This particular group came in July '07 and alternated in teams that were involved in painting wood preservative on the stable weatherboards, landscaping a pond area and clearing scrub from places inaccessible to the tractor. Meridian Television also appeared and filmed some of the workers and the horses; all good publicity , not only for EDF but for Brownbread. The news item appeared on the telly a day or two later.
This last group were also able to spend the last hour after work to enjoy the pool and a good time was had by all; this is just one little perk that we are able to provide to those that volunteer their efforts.
The Trustees are grateful for EDF's innovative strategy to help the Charity. We hope for a long and successful relationship with the company and thank all the workers from past and future groups that help out in this way.
Tony
