Age Concern Hampshire has once again welcomed volunteers from B&Q as part of the retailer’s ongoing Community Volunteering Days initiative, helping to improve spaces used by older people across Hampshire.
The initiative, which has now been running for four years, forms part of B&Q’s wider commitment to giving back to communities across Hampshire and beyond. Through the programme, B&Q colleagues are encouraged to use their volunteering days to support local charities and community organisations, with many groups benefiting from practical help and improvements to their spaces.
This year, B&Q volunteers returned to support Age Concern Hampshire’s Lockswood Care & Wellbeing Centre in Locks Heath following the success of last year’s project, where the team transformed the charity’s Reflection Room — a peaceful, quiet space designed for people to rest, reflect and take time away from busy activities. The improvements helped create a warm and calming environment for older people, carers and visitors using the centre.
Colleagues took advantage of the sunny weather to refresh the centre’s garden by weeding plant beds, renewing the soil, planting new flowers and building a new garden bench. While part of the team worked outdoors, others refreshed the main communal hall with a fresh coat of paint. All tools, garden items and paint were kindly donated by B&Q as part of their initiative.
B&Q colleagues are given volunteering days throughout the year, allowing them the opportunity to dedicate time to causes that matter to them locally. For many employees, the programme offers personal benefits too. Hollie Langford, Accountant at B&Q, said: “I really enjoy time outside. I’m a very keen gardener and it’s great for mental health too so it’s beneficial for all.”
The Community Volunteering Days programme supports hundreds of charities and community groups across the UK each year, with thousands of B&Q colleagues volunteering their time to make a positive difference in the areas where they live and work.
Hannah Park, Head of Operations at Age Concern Hampshire said “We’re so grateful to have the B&Q team here again. Having a large group of volunteers has meant so many improvements have been made to our Lockswood centre. The hall has a fresh coat of paint and the garden is blooming. Thank you to the B&Q team for getting stuck in and doing it all with a smile on their faces. It’s great to be able to collaborate with an organisation that is aligned with supporting the work we do across Hampshire.”
Partnerships with organisations such as B&Q play an important role in helping maintain welcoming, accessible spaces for the people who rely on their services every day.
This year’s volunteering activity continues a strong partnership between the two organisations, building on previous projects that have enhanced facilities and improved environments for older people attending our centres. We hope the partnership will encourage more local businesses and corporate teams to explore how they can support older people in their communities through volunteering, sponsorship or wider collaboration opportunities.
