Reed Business Systems lent a much needed helping hand to the Abbeyfield Nonsuch Society based in the London Borough of Sutton over the weekend. The Abbeyfield Nonsuch Society wanted to ensure that their usual volunteers, some of which have dedicated 30 years to volunteering for Abbeyfield, would be able to relax and mingle with the residents, their families and other guests whilst celebrating the Society’s 30th anniversary.
Nine Reed staff, headed by Angela Jones, Reed’s Events Manager, reported for duty on 3rd July, trading places for the day with the Abbeyfield volunteers to ensure the volunteers received a well deserved rest and a pat on the back! Reed, under its remarkable staff release scheme which supports groups working in the local community, despatched its staff to help with the organisation and delivery of the garden party and in doing so helped to reduce the impact of the extra workload a large event would have on Abbeyfield’s Nonsuch conscientious volunteers.
The Reed team rallied around making sure the 120 sit-down lunch ran smoothly and the regular volunteers had a whale of a time mingling with residents and family members whilst enjoying the glorious summer sunshine.
Samantha Alleyne, PR & Marketing Officer for Abbeyfield said: “Volunteers give their time regularly and willingly and are invaluable to Abbeyfield. This kind gesture from the Reed Business Systems staff meant that all Abbeyfield volunteers could relax and enjoy proceedings and for once be the ones that were being looked after.”
Chairman Graham Walker explained: “Thirty years ago our Cheam home opened its door to its first residents and some of our original volunteers are still actively helping us now.”
In keeping with the spirit of the day, Graham issued customised certificates to Jack Porter, Eveline Walker, June Smith and Nigel Macdonald for their remarkable feat of having dedicated themselves continuously to the work of Nonsuch society from its inception in 1980 to the present date.
The next batch of Reed volunteers are already signed up for another Abbeyfield volunteer pursuit, which is a garden escapade of an altogether different kind – garden clearing at the Epsom Abbeyfield sheltered house in a few weeks time!