RWE npower and Zurich dig in for Volunteers' Week

Two CommunityMark companies, npower and Zurich, mucked in during Volunteers' Week 2009 and created a 'field of knowledge' for Rodbourne Cheney Primary School in Swindon.  

The companies are two of the largest employers in Swindon - an area that has been identified as having a critical impact from the recession. As young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) increases, community investment from business in education, employability and learning initiatives is crucial.

Employee volunteers from npower and Zurich worked collaboratively to develop a variety of creative learning zones using natural and recycled materials for the school. The npower team focused on an outdoor seating area, with a barbeque and log seating for children to observe the surrounding wildlife. Zurich employees created a wildflower garden, with the aim of attracting butterflies and other wildlife to the area.

"Working together has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved," Tony Martin, volunteer development manager at Zurich Community Trust said. "By joining forces we have been able to take on a big challenge for the school and local community."

"There was some healthy rivalry on the day which only spurred the volunteers on," Jacqui Gavin, community investment executive at npower said. "It was fantastic to look back at the end of the session and see what we had been able to achieve by working together."

Liz Matthews, community tutor at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School, said: "We are dedicated to developing outdoor learning spaces where the children can learn about the importance of the environment and protecting wildlife in an inspirational multi-sensory environment. 

"The volunteer teams have helped to take us one step closer to achieving our vision, which we plan to open up to the surrounding community so that everyone can enjoy this wonderful space."

The teams plan to transform a dilapidated school shed into an outdoor classroom when they return for their last session in the summer.  

RWE npower and Zurich were awarded Business in the Community's national standard of excellence for community investment - the CommunityMark - in 2008.