Power workers volunteer to make a difference

Power apprentices, trainers and managers demonstrated top teamwork when they worked together to help improve a Suffolk woodland enjoyed by people with life limiting illnesses.

The UK Power Networks apprentices and their training team from Risby and Bury St Edmunds, spent the day at the Eden Rose Coppice Trust, in Sudbury, using the company’s Donate a Day scheme which gives the 5,500 staff two paid days each year to volunteer in their local communities.

 The charity provides safe, easy to access, urban outdoor natural woodland environments for the support of people and their families living with cancer and other life limiting illness.

UK Power Networks runs the power cables across the East, South East and London delivering electricity to 8.5 million homes and businesses. Around 20 employees spent the day weeding, clearing wood, and repairing fencing as well as excavating the foundations for a well.

The team were pleased with what they achieved and have planned a second volunteering day at the end of the month at the charity’s Ipswich wood, creating pathways for wheelchairs.

Training centre manager Ryan Jukes said: “It was a fantastic day, we split the group up to tackle all that needed doing and the groups also swapped tasks. It is a fantastic place and everyone is keen to support it, which is why we are looking forward to tackling the task in Ipswich.”

The charity’s founder Rob Brooks said they were extremely grateful for the work carried out by the power volunteers.

“We are very grateful to them. They have made a huge difference to what we do because of the amount of people who turned up on the day.

“It was vital repair work and has made the woodlands secure. They also dug us a much needed well for watering the trees.

“When they help us out in Ipswich they will help to create wheelchair footpaths through the woods to our palliative care centre.”