We were delighted to welcome twelve colleagues from NatWest Commercial Banking’s team in Birmingham to St. Columban’s for a morning of volunteering recently. They dedicated their time, energy and practical skills to supporting our charity and caring for our much-loved grounds.
The volunteering day brought together colleagues from across NatWest’s Birmingham Commercial Banking team, including senior leaders, Relationship Directors and Managers, a Business Development Manager, Assistant Relationship Managers and a graduate colleague.
Working in small groups, the volunteers tackled a wide range of practical jobs around the grounds. The team worked together efficiently to remove old fencing and fence posts and clear away debris. Some of the volunteers weeded and tidied outdoor spaces, as well as carrying out general maintenance.
The volunteers’ hard work made an immediate difference to our grounds and has helped to ensure they remain safe, welcoming and sustainable for everyone who uses them, including local school students and parish groups who visit for workshops and retreats.
Stuart Welch, Director of Commercial Banking at NatWest, said, “At NatWest, we’re passionate about supporting the communities where we live and work. Volunteering at St. Columban’s gave our team a chance to make a tangible difference while working together outside of our day-to-day roles with people from different teams. It was rewarding to see the immediate impact of our efforts and to learn more about the fantastic work the charity does. I would encourage other businesses to get involved, as it’s a great opportunity to support a local cause, develop stronger team relationships and give something back to the community.”
The visit also gave the NatWest colleagues an opportunity to learn more about Columban mission and values. Many were surprised by the breadth of the society’s activities, from our local work in and around Birmingham to projects and partnerships overseas, including our interfaith work in Pakistan, education initiatives in Myanmar and our passion for environmental justice in Fiji.
The NatWest volunteering day took place during the Season of Creation, an annual period of prayer, reflection and action for our common home, which runs from 1st September to 4th October. For Columbans, the Season of Creation is a reminder that caring for the environment is not simply something that happens through large-scale campaigns or international initiatives. It is also expressed through the practical choices we make and the places we care for every day.
James Trewby, Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Coordinator, said: “The Season of Creation reminds us that caring for our common home is something we are all called to take part in. It was wonderful to welcome the NatWest team into our grounds. It was great to see the enthusiasm with which the team approached the day and the difference they were able to make in just a few hours!”
We are grateful to the NatWest team for giving their time and energy to support our work. Days like this remind us of the important contribution that volunteers and community partnerships make to our mission, both here in Birmingham and through our wider international work.
We welcome opportunities to work with local businesses and organisations that want to make a positive contribution through corporate volunteering, social responsibility, environmental action and community engagement.
If your business or team is interested in organising a volunteering day or supporting practical projects at our Headquarters in Solihull, we would love to hear from you. Please contact James Trewby at education@columbans.co.uk.
