Record Currency Management turn school's overgrown garden into a Wildlife Haven

The school, located in Slough faces a number of challenges. The project was welcomed by the school to enhance the environment and learning experience for their pupils. On first inspection of the garden the team had not quite appreciated how large a project of this scale would be. Being a vast area with two thirds of the garden covered in brambles and other plants the challenge of the project was fully realised by all team members.

Priding themselves as being an employer that promotes a strong culture of ethical principles and beliefs such as helping others the team got fully stuck into the challenge.  Two hours into the project the site had been cleared with the team even surprising themselves with their progress. This allowed the volunteers to develop the garden into a full scientific study area with the creation of a bug hotel, sensory garden and a wood-chime for the pupils to interact with.

As a result of the project it was not only the pupils who would benefit from the project. During the challenge whilst trimming back the over growth the team uncovered a small stow-away in the form of a small hedgehog.  Being fast asleep the hedgehog was totally unaware to the hard work going on around it. It was soon decided however that the hedgehog would be moved into a new home in the form of an old compost bin at the bottom of the garden. The pupils of the school will therefore be able to see these creatures on site hopefully for years to come. 

Preeya Patel, Product Specialist and Counterparty Manager, of Record Currency Management Ltd summed up the day:

“A successful day all round with a happy hedgehog, a happy school, happy children and happy volunteers who should all be very proud of their achievements. We have found that volunteering presents Record with a new channel through which we can offer our support, experience and guidance that will enrich the future of the local community."

This project will have a lasting impact on the school and its pupils. After the challenge Kalsoom Shafi (Community Link Coordinator at Godolphin Junior School) commented:

“The volunteers did an absolutely brilliant job in our Wildlife Area. Thank you very much for organising that for our school.”

The employee volunteers plan to return to the site in March to finish the garden off with the planting of new flowers and to maintain the ground area.