Member Article

Carillion staff swap officewear for outerwear

Staff from Carillion Energy Services in Gosforth were unusually suited and booted for their day job last week as they swapped the office for the outdoors as part of their annual Sustainability Week.

20 volunteers from the Gosforth based energy solutions company spent the day getting their hands dirty by creating drainage solutions and rewetting areas of Prestwick Carr, a 320 hectare site which forms part of Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Living Landscape project.

Local MP Guy Opperman visited the site to show his support for the project and find out more about the work being undertaken by Carillion volunteers. He said: “Investing in our local environment is something which should be on everyone’s agenda. The North East has a rich outdoor heritage and boasts woodland, parks and green spaces for our residents to enjoy.

“Companies like Carillion who support their staff in undertaking projects like this are setting an excellent example to ensure assets like Prestwick Carr can be enjoyed now and by future generations”.

The work being undertaken by Carillion volunteers will aid Prestwick Car by reducing the potential for flash flooding and improving its water storage facility. Rewetting the site will also create a valuable carbon store helping to reduce the level of CO2in the atmosphere as well as improving the site for wildlife.

Kevin O’Hara, Conservation Officer for Northumberland Wildlife Trust added: ““It’s great to have business and government here to see how important sites such as Prestwick Carr are and their worth to the wider environment. The support from Carillion has been invaluable in allowing us to carry on restoring the habitats on site not to mention protecting its precious carbon store and rare species. It is important both sectors continue to acknowledge these values to ensure they are there for the future, let alone as a benefit to the present”.

The volunteer day marks just one of the projects Carillion Energy Services has been undertaking as part of its annual Sustainability Week aimed at raising awareness of sustainability and engaging staff on sustainability issues.

Emma Gilbert, Sustainability Manager at Carillion comments: “Prestwick Carr is one of many projects supported by the Carillion Natural Habitat Fund, just one of the many initiatives we support as a business. “Sustainability Week gives our staff the opportunity to engage in our initiatives and experience first hand how we contribute to our community.”

Held to coincide with world environment day Sustainability Week ran from 11-15thJune and saw Carillion staff around the world take part in hundreds of activities and initiatives to raise awareness of sustainability issues.

Carillion Energy Services is working towards a 2020 Sustainability Strategy focussing community, environment, sustainability and carbon reduction. Its vision is to be recognised as a leading sustainable business and the leading sustainable support services company.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sujarda Herring .