Centre Manager at Clifton-based Business Environment has made great use of her company’s volunteer scheme by mucking in and cleaning out stables at her local horse recue centre.
Horse-lover Laura Raschka used her annual volunteer time with the serviced office operator to support Whitchurch’s HorseWorld, a charitable organisation that cares for abandoned horses, ponies and donkeys. Not only did Laura get stuck in grooming the horses and sweeping the yard, she also joined in with the Touch and Groom sessions, where visitors are encouraged to get up close to the animals.
Laura decided to help out at HorseWorld after learning about the huge increase in neglected horses across the UK over the winter. Due to the tough economic climate and a long, hard season, hundreds of horses have been abandoned, with many found straying on roads or cruelly dumped in fields.
A horse owner herself, Laura was desperate to do something to help: “With the support of my employer Business Environment, not only was I able to volunteer at HorseWorld, but I was also able to assign the company’s monthly charity donation to the rescue centre as well. It’s only a start, but it’s good to know that I’ve helped make a difference to the cause.”
Frances Mallender, Volunteer Co-ordinator at HorseWorld added: “Volunteers like Laura are invaluable in supporting HorseWorld with the day to day running of our activities. Horse handling skills aren’t always necessary to volunteer here, as we often have a number of visitor services or office roles available.’
Having recently made The Sunday Times’ Best Small Companies to Work For list for the fifth year running, Business Environment employees are granted three days paid leave to help a charity of their choice.
Laura Raschka is Centre Manager at Business Environment Bristol Clifton
