Colleagues across EPNE volunteer across communities and organisations

More than 500 staff from across leading college group Education Partnership North East (EPNE) recently donated their time and expertise to local communities as part of a Volunteering Day.

Colleagues from curriculum and corporate support including senior leaders, teaching staff from varied subject areas, and support departments such as finance, IT and marketing, took part in a wide range of activities, with local charities, initiatives, and community organisations supported during the day.

In total, more than 3000 hours were donated, through initiatives such as environmental beach cleans as part of town council initiatives and the Marine Conservation Society. -raising awareness for charities on national rail services such as LUMO, painting community spaces, supporting charities such as Love Amelia, food banks, care homes, hospitals and shops, as well as litter picking, leading 100+ primary children through a nature trail, play sessions, and renovating a prayer garden.

Combining teamwork, community spirit, and care for the environment, colleagues found the day an extremely positive and rewarding experience, seeing how their actions and efforts were making considerable difference to people’s everyday lives.

Naomi Robson, Vice Principal Corporate Services at Education Partnership North East said: “Spending the day giving back to the community was incredibly rewarding, and it provided a valuable opportunity for colleagues to collaborate with people they might not usually work alongside.

“The initiative was a resounding success, and it was inspiring to see so many staff come together and get involved in such a meaningful and positive experience.”

Many other staff across the college group were thrilled to volunteer their time and only had positive things to say about the opportunity and experience.

Lindsay Park, Director of Sixth Form at Hartlepool Sixth Form College said: “I was very lucky to spend the day in the sunshine with great work colleagues, in collaboration with Pool Together and Hartlepool Big Town Tidy Up, as part of our group wide volunteering day. It was a very happy and uplifting start to the weekend!”

Jane Reed, Associate Principal Northumberland College said “We all had a brilliant day volunteering on Newbiggin Beach alongside great staff. Blue skies and sunshine were a bonus, but the real highlight was the shared purpose throughout and a reminder of what can be achieved through teamwork and a collective effort.

“A huge thank you to all who contributed. I loved our day and hope you all did too!”

Bill Milestone, Curriculum Manager for Automotive Engineering at Sunderland College said: “A fantastic day out for the Automotive Engineering Department taking part in our CPD Volunteering Day!

“We were proud to support Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean at Seaburn Beach. The sunshine soon came out and kept spirits high as we worked together to make a positive impact on the local environment.

A great team effort, plenty of fresh sea air, and a reminder of how small actions can make a big difference.”

Helen Willan, People Business Partner at Sunderland College said: “An amazing team effort for Volunteering Day at Justice Prince Community Garden, Longbenton with some real graft digging up and flattening a huge mound of earth and clearing a lot of wood. We filled two skips!

“It was a great way to spend the day giving something back to the community and a great opportunity to work with other members of the college who we don’t work closely with.”

The group wide volunteering experience comes directly from the framework EPNE has in place, which fully supports and actively encourages employees to participate in volunteering activities.

Volunteering provides valuable experiences, enhances skills, and delivers personal satisfaction, while directly supporting commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.

EPNE recognises volunteering as a strategic way to contribute meaningfully to the community, develop both personal and professional skills and uphold shared values of social responsibility. Volunteering is considered a vital activity that enriches the learning environment and delivers tangible benefits to students, staff, and local communities.

In line with the college group framework, all volunteering activities that colleagues undertake align with the college’s core values and strategic themes – Community & Social Impact, Education & Youth Support, Employability and Environment & Sustainability.