Championing Community Support During Volunteers Week 2024

This week marks Volunteers Week, a time to recognise and celebrate the individual contributions of volunteers to communities and local projects.

We're committed to making a positive impact to transform spaces, places and lives. In 2022 we created a network of regional social impact committees (RSICs) across five regions including Scotland, North, Midlands, London & Southeast England, and Southwest England & Wales, reflecting the values and passions of both the company and its teammates.

We're committed to looking for and forming strong strategic partnerships and working closely with various volunteer programmes. This not only showcases our commitment to community engagement, but it also aligns with our sustainability strategy, Our Planet.

Here are some examples of some of the amazing projects and programmes that our teammates have delivered;

West SILC School, Leeds

Over the past 12 months, Jennifer Hayes, Business Development Manager - Bids & Tenders, has led this project, with support from Peter Robinson, Regional Director – Traffic, and Molly Bermingham, Tender and Bid Co-ordinator. They collaborated with West SILC School in Leeds to provide road safety education for students aged four to 18 with additional learning needs.

They conducted interactive sessions during road safety week, donating traffic management equipment for workshops and emphasising speed awareness and road rules. Additionally, the school was supported by removing redundant equipment, resurfacing roads, clearing waste and installing new planters, highlighting our commitment to community engagement and social impact.

?HMP Sudbury Trakway Workshop

Sunbelt Rentals worked with HMP Sudbury, to create a workshop programme that addresses both a business challenge and a societal need. This initiative, led by our Trakway team, led by Lindsey Baily, Academy Manager, aims to meet the rising product demand from customers and tackle recruitment challenges. Additionally, it provides prisoners with upskilling and training opportunities, leading to meaningful employment within the workshop.

With support from the New Futures Network, a trial was initiated in October 2022 with a focus on repairing Trakway products. The trial had positive results, ultimately leading to the permanent establishment within the prison. The partnership, driven by the team at Sunbelt Rentals and HMP Sudbury, aims to positively impact individuals by providing training and employment opportunities within the prison system, reducing reoffending and supporting successful reintegration into society.

Skills for Life Programme

This programme, a core component of our Beacon Schools and Colleges programme, equips learners aged 17 and above with essential life skills. Designed by Georgia Satchwell, Learning and Development Trainer and supported by Molly Bermingham, Tender and Bid Coordinator, the programme is designed and tailored to be adaptable to the needs of different learners, ensuring widespread applicability. Delivered across the country, it highlights Sunbelt Rentals’ commitment to providing educational support and youth empowerment.

Carntyne & Riddrie Foodbank

The Sunbelt Rentals' regional Social Impact Committee in Scotland, led by Lisa Kennedy, Field Sales Executive supported closely by Douglas Smith, Regional Sales Director, have spent over 18 months supporting the Carntyne & Riddrie Foodbank. Their efforts have been focused on improving the foodbank's visibility online, increasing their storage capacity and organising donations to increase the support they can provide to the local community. Through hosting a fundraising event supported by Sunbelt Rentals customers, they were able to raise ￡19,984.86 for the foodbank, showcasing the profound impact of their support for community engagement.

Community Spirit

The Sunbelt Rentals team are committed to helping the local community in all ways possible to transform places, spaces and lives. Mick Hogg, a fitter from the Sunbelt Rentals team at the Newcastle depot, has emerged as a local hero through his commitment to restoring his community site in the face of vandalism. His selfless action of spending his weekend cleaning and restoring the appearance of the area demonstrates the impact that individuals can have on their surroundings.