Volunteering is part of Cemex’s commitment to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of its communities. All Cemex employees are encouraged to actively engage in activities that contribute to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of people in the places and communities where we live and work.
All employees are encouraged to spend a day a year, taking part in a volunteering activity and here in the UK we refer to this as our Lend a Hand day. Connecting and giving back to local communities, delivering social value, team building, discovering new skills and adding variety and fun to a working day at Cemex are among some of benefits we see in employee volunteering.
During the summer period, many of our Cemex UK teams got ready their power tools, sun protection and PPE and were out and about volunteering in their local communities. Here is a round up of some of their activities:
Peak Dale War Memorial
Earlier this month, a team from Dove Holes quarry nightshift spent the day supporting their local community by carrying out improvements at the nearby village Peak Dale’s beautiful War Memorial. The project began on a glorious summer morning with the careful felling of a few overhanging trees, helping to bring more natural light into the memorial gardens. The team then strimmed the grass verges and cleared the paths using brushes and leaf blowers, giving the area a refreshed and cared-for look.
In total, five flatbed van loads of branches and shrubbery were removed, with kind support from Balfe Building Construction Ltd, and all materials were recycled within the quarry grounds. This was a real team effort, and they were proud to give something back to their local community. A huge thank you goes to Cemex team members Rick Hughes, Sam Crosby, Mike Simmons, Kyle Murray, Jane Harrison and Steven Mellor. A special thanks also to Jack Gould and Ed from Balfe Building Construction Ltd for their invaluable help and support.
St Johns Ambulance Community Hall
Also supporting their local community, Dove Holes Assistant Quarry Manager, Jamie Shaw, and his team spent time volunteering at their local St John’s Ambulance Community Hal, carrying out activities to improve access for the elderly and disabled. From installing a new hand rail to installing a container for safe storage of power tools and garden equipment, the team also did some general tidying of over grown shrubs and bushes.
Tools, equipment and manpower were supplied by Cemex, and a massive well done goes to the Cemex team Gareth Ratcliffe, Brent Coupe, Kevin Stableford, Jamie Shaw and Darren Ward. Jamie also shared his thanks for Phil Heathcote, a farmer who allowed the team to use a bit of his land and supplied the storage container. Thanks also went to Town and Country Aggregates for supplying the stone base and thank you to Balfe Building Contractors for supplying the mini excavator to make the job so much easier.
Barby Woodland Trust
On a particularly warm day, the Materials Management team spent time volunteering at Barby Woodland Trust near Rugby. This is a long-term project where Cemex UK is supporting the local community in restoring 27 acres of native woodland.
The team worked hard together building outdoor furniture and a seating area for future visitors, while staying well hydrated in the sunshine.
Well done to everyone involved in these fantastic team activities, supporting our local community.
If your team is planning to organise a Lend a Hand day in your local community, please remember to share your photos with us. Send them along to [email protected], along with who took part and some details of your activities.