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Monday 9 Jul 2018

More than 20 green fingered railway volunteers support Wolverhampton community project

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

A team from Network Rail has taken time out from managing and surveying lineside vegetation to support a local community project in Wolverhampton.

Network Rail employees can use ‘volunteer days’ to allow them to switch from their normal roles in offices or work sites and use their skills and experience to deliver work that benefits the community.

The Albrighton Trust, Moat and Gardens rely solely on volunteers and donations. They offer educational and recreational activities for people with disabilities, special needs or illness, giving them skills and independence.

The team of 21 used their specialist skills at the end of June, surveying trees and removing branches identified as a risk to people using the gardens. They also cleaned out and desilted the trust’s sensory garden pond, weeded the sensory garden and replanted the filtration beds for the moat.

Kevin Melvin, works delivery manager for Network Rail, said: “Supporting community projects allows us to meet local people and to do something practical to improve facilities– it’s great to build relationships and to give something back.“

Sandie Jackson, operations manager for The Albrighton Trust said: “Our staff and volunteers were delighted to welcome the team from Network Rail; everyone worked exceptionally hard and we were blown away by the amount of work they carried out, especially during this hot spell we are currently having. Not only did they carry out a large amount of manual work they also provided expert advice to our staff and volunteers on how to manage our tree stock and environmental impact.”

Network Rail employees are entitled to five days’ volunteer leave every year to help UK registered charities or community projects.