Volunteers Pave The Way For Children’s Sensory Garden

Team members at a Surrey manufacturing firm have given back to the community through two volunteering days.

Staff from various departments at filter maker Amazon Filters were in Farnborough to revitalise a patch of ground at Guillemont Junior School which will become part of a sensory garden designed to support children living with autism.

Colleagues also carried out a day’s grounds maintenance at Reg’s Garden, a community space by the Farnborough North railway station. The days marked the latest volunteering opportunities co-ordinated through Amazon Filters’ HR team and volunteering partner CMPP, the Community Matters Partnership Project.

Two of Amazon Filters’ welders spoke of their satisfaction in helping at Guillemont Juniors. Dariusz Geron said:

“I really enjoyed the day and would love to do another one in future. It was great working as a team and seeing the change that we were making. It just made you want to work even harder.”

Dan Wenderlish said:

“It was a really great day, making a difference to the children by helping create their sensory garden. It was also great working with different people from the business who I had never met before.”

There were similar sentiments expressed by those at Reg’s Garden.

Dan O’Sullivan, Housing Production Manager, said:

“The garden relies on volunteers to maintain and carry out essential upkeep. It’s a sanctuary for many people, offering a chance for students and locals alike to enjoy outside space, socialise and be together."

“The volunteering was such a rewarding experience, all of us local and giving back to our community. Thank you to Amazon Filters for giving us this opportunity to contribute and put a smile on many people’s faces.”

Chris Lambert, Senior Welder/Fabricator, said: “It was a really good productive day with a great bunch of lads.”

Frimley-based Amazon Filters has been a business partner of CMPP for the past two years, providing 275 hours of hands-on voluntary work at different locations in 2023. They include the respite centre Frimhurst House, the Challengers play centre for disabled children in Guildford and the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnborough.

The firm aims to do even more this year, making 2024 a record year for company volunteering.

Ruth Pappadakis, Head of People and Culture, who leads on the engagement with CMPP, said the work at Guillemont Juniors had particular significance for her.

She said: “I absolutely love our volunteer days but this one felt a little more special as it was at my son’s school. Working with the team really made the day, and seeing the impact of what we achieved as well as the look on the children’s faces was amazing."

“Some of the children were brought out with a couple of the teachers and they commented on how nice the space was looking. I have also since heard from a couple of the parents who have said what a difference it makes.”

Founded in 1985, Amazon Filters is a manufacturer and supplier of filtration products that underpin essential processes around the world including municipal water treatment.