During October lots of you have been out and about spending your Lend a Hand Volunteering days supporting your local communities – here is a roundup of some of them:

Cemex Team Lends a Hand at Peak Dale Primary School

As part of Cemex’s Lend a Hand volunteering initiative, a team from Dove Holes quarry recently supported their local community by helping Peak Dale Primary School in Buxton rejuvenate their outdoor spaces.

The school reached out for help to transform their garden and play area, which had become overgrown and inaccessible. In response, six dedicated team members: Tom Owen, Steve Mellor, Elliot Cash-Davis, Craig Duncan, Arron Cantrell and Jason Proctor volunteered their time and skills to make a real difference. The project included installing a new flower box for the children to plant and nurture flowers over the summer months, clearing and cleaning the back play area, and tidying the existing garden with the addition of small stepping stones for play and exploration.

Other local companies also kindly supported the effort by donating materials such as bark chippings and provided a power wash, while Cemex supplied both the workforce and the enthusiasm to bring the project to life. This initiative has been particularly meaningful, as many of the pupils’ parents are part of the Cemex family at Dove Holes quarry. It’s a great example of how teamwork, community spirit, and a willingness to get stuck in can help create brighter spaces for future generations to enjoy.

Team Stockton Lend a Hand at Norton Primary School

Up in Stockton Catherine Foster, Andrea Lloyd, Elaine Bowkett, Karen Hatfield and Izabella Munro, all based at our Stockton-on-Tess office, had a fantastic time Lending a Hand at local Norton Primary. On a lovely autumnal day the team got involved in various activities such as litter picking and moving woodchips to newly planted hedges. Later in the afternoon they rolled up their sleeves to cut coffee sacks and transform them into colourful bunting to be hung around the fence and the teepee, which is eagerly waiting to be erected. Their efforts, along with those of other local businesses and charities, were warmly welcomed by the school. It was truly a heartwarming experience for the team, to see how their contribution will help create a joyful and safe play area for the children.

James Lends a Hand at Stokenchurch Dog Rescue Centre

James Taylor, Sales Executive in Readymix Home Counties, spent his Lend a Hand day volunteering at his local Stokenchurch Dog Rescue, a charity caring for up to 40 dogs of all breeds and ages. James’s morning was spent cleaning kennels, washing bowls, and sorting donated towels and blankets. Then he took Amber, Scorpio, and Teddy out for their daily walk. Exercise and socialisation are vital for the dogs’ wellbeing, and the centre relies on volunteers to make this possible. In the afternoon James turned his hand to refreshing the annex building, cleaning and tidying to create a more comfortable space for staff and dogs needing extra care. It was a very rewarding day, and James has plans in place to return and help again soon.

Planning your Lend a Hand

Well done to everyone involved in all of the fantastic Lend a Hand activities. Each employee remains entitled to a day’s volunteering each year, and this can be organised by the employee/team themselves, giving employees the freedom to support whichever cause is most important to them.

Please do continue to keep the Communications team updated on any activity that is carried out, so we can share these stories in UK News / on social media.