Giving back to our community: SMS HR team volunteer at local primary school

As part of SMS’s social responsibility efforts, which covers activities including charity support, volunteering days, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and employee development, last week members of our HR team volunteered at Wesley Primary school in Radcliffe, Bury (a few miles from the SMS Training Academy and Contact Centre sites in Bolton).

Wesley Primary boasts a fantastic team of talented and caring staff who have a strong commitment to ensure every child has the opportunity to experience a creative, immersive and inclusive curriculum, which results in a strong sense of community.

The SMS team had a great day together, working hard in the outdoor play area concreting posts, pruning trees, making a new wooden cooker, painting a small play bridge, and creating a large trail where bark and chippings were laid for the children.

It was made all the more worthwhile when one of the schooldchildren asked Chief People Officer, Judy Keir, and Senior HR Business Partner, Aimee McLaren, what they were doing at the school.

When Judy explained “We are making your play area pretty”, the small boy thought for a moment and, without prompt, simply replied “Thank you” before running off quickly to tell the other children about the excitement happening outside.

This truly worthwhile volunteering day was made possible through the support of Employee Volunteering , with a special thanks to Jo Oakland for helping to organise the day and for getting ‘stuck in’ too.

Living our values is central to our culture at SMS and last week both ‘Pride’ and ‘Sustainability’ were at the forefront of the team’s activities.

For more information on SMS’s social activity, take a look at the Group’s annual Sustainability Report.