Anita Week 2011 – volunteering update from Jason Gibson
“I want to work for a company that contributes to and is part of the community. I want something not just to invest in. I want something to believe in.” Dame Anita Roddick
At the very heart of The Body Shop International AND The Body Shop Foundation is our unwavering commitment to the values held dear by our founder and patron, Dame Anita Roddick. Dubbed ‘Anita Week’, we encourage staff across the world to go out and have a positive effect on their local community, giving back to the local environment, people and groups in a way that Anita herself would have done and applauded.
This week, groups and departments from The Body Shop International have been assisting and volunteering at Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, near Chichester, West Sussex.
Here’s an account from Jason Gibson, Global IT Department on how his volunteering went:
It was Monday 17 Oct 11 and a bunch of Body Shop folk turned up to Brent Lodge, which is a bird and wildlife hospital near Chichester, West Sussex. We spent the day cleaning out the enclosures and cages of the various birds and mammals that were on site and generally tidying up the place in preparation for more patients. Current patients \ inhabitants include hedgehogs, squirrels, gulls, pigeons, a crow (who took a shine to one of the regular volunteer’s index finger), foxes, owls and deer.
Having spent some time chatting to regular staff at the centre, it became apparent that the centre is struggling financially, having recently reduced paid staff numbers from 9 down to 2, so it was clearly evident the impact that the efforts of individuals and groups, such as the Body Shop volunteers, make to a relatively small organisation like this.
Not only was spending time with the animals who were in need of care very rewarding, there was the chance to work alongside colleagues that I would not normally run into during the course of my day to day job. The latter reminded me of what a joy it is to work for a company that employs people who are passionate & enthusiastic, evident in their approach to the days volunteering! More visits will be arranged!
This week has seen staff from ALL over The Body Shop embark on these volunteering ventures and all with the same result – a sense of achievement in their results, gratitude towards the charity in question and a sense of community spirit and involvement.
More updates to come here but if you’ve been inspired by Jason and you’d like to help out at Brent Lodge, please visit their website at http://www.brentlodge.org/. In these tought economic times, these small but vital community groups need your support & donation more than ever before. Brent Lodge is an EXCELLENT example of this – please support in whatever way you can.
