The Turner & Townsend team visit West Hatch Animal Centre

Volunteers from Turner & Townsend recently spent the day volunteering at RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre, a Taunton based charity which treats and rehabilitates thousands of animals each year.

Micha Chandler, Corporate Responsibility Representative at Turner & Townsend, told us about the day: 

“We were tasked with revamping one of the dog compounds inside a shed, an area the rescue dogs use to chill out in when outside their kennel. We restained the outside of the shed, cleaned and painted the inside, laid new flooring, and put together some flat pack boxes.  

“We were also lucky enough to be shown some of the animals, including kittens, cats, bunnies, some seals and a chicken!

“At Turner & Townsend, we have lots of different projects going on at one time, and therefore rarely meet people from other departments within the organisation. On the volunteering day, we got to meet new people and work together as a team towards a great outcome. It was extremely rewarding seeing the end result of the shed and we all felt a sense of achievement." 

Benji Higgs, Apprentice Project Controller at Turner & Townsend, said: 

“I really enjoyed our team day at the RSPCA. The people there were so lovely and gave us a great task which I worked with my fellow colleagues to complete. The workers there also took us round and showed us some of the animals. It was a really wonderful day out of the office, and I would recommend team days to others.” 

Micha added: “I would really recommend that other organisations volunteer as a team, it is a fantastic way to get out of the office and do something completely different from your day-to-day job.

“Spark Somerset were a big help in setting up the day. Laura from the volunteer team sent me multiple contacts for different opportunities in Somerset and then connected me with the RSPCA so we could make arrangements."

Tina Huntingdon, Secretary at West Hatch RSCPA, said:  

"Our corporate days are always very enjoyable for all and this event was no exception. The team were given the task of sprucing up one of our dog cabins. A dog cabin is used to socialise our dogs, get them used to home environments, with sofas and coverings etc. They are so important to the dog's wellbeing, especially if they are finding kennel life a little overwhelming and need some downtime in a quiet location. 

“The team at Turner & Townsend worked really hard and made a huge difference to this vital facility and the improvements will benefit many dogs in the future. 

“There are always many maintenance and gardening tasks to complete on our vast 22-acre site, so the corporate teams that come to site are truly magnificent and help to restore, revive and re-design areas, whether that is digging a pig wallow, planting a wildflower garden, or staining our extensive number of fences. We could not keep the site maintained without the help of our volunteers. Thank you!" 

To find out more about volunteering with RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre, click here.

For information about hosting a volunteering activity for your team, click the link below.