Haven Power supports community garden project

Workes at Ipswich-based Haven Power are being praised for their support of a local community conservation charity, following a ground-breaking year of fundraising.

Haven Power has chosen the Eden-Rose Coppice Trust as its Charity of the Year for a second consecutive year, after staff voted overwhelmingly to support them again.

In September 2017, the electricity supplier reached its yearly fundraising target of £8,500 for the charity, three months ahead of schedule. By the end of the year, it had helped raise £9,700, making a ‘huge difference’ that goes beyond fundraising.

Eden-Rose is a community conservation charity that restores neglected woodlands into safe retreats for children and adults with life limiting illnesses, disabilities or other additional needs.

Last year, Haven Power employees volunteered over 640 hours to help restore Brickmakers’ Wood – situated in the heart of Ipswich – into one of those safe spaces.

Working in teams, 112 of Haven Power’s employees helped the charity to build fences, gates and a wooden log store. Offsite, engagement continued through a variety of fundraising activities, including dress down days, marathons, bake sales and quiz nights.

Rob Brooks, Eden-Rose founder, said of the work: “With Haven Power’s help, a five year project has become a 3 year project. Not only has this work had a positive impact on 190 people living with cancer in the Ipswich area, but has also provided a practical work experience opportunity for long-term unemployed and those with special needs or behavioural problems. It cannot be underestimated how much experiences like this can boost confidence and improve communication skills.

“Haven Power’s support is making a huge difference - and it goes way beyond fundraising. We’ve never seen this much commitment from a company, their continual dedication has transformed the project.”

Paul Sheffield, chief operating officer at Haven Power, said: “There’s a real sense that the charity gives our people a purpose away from their daily roles at work. This project has shown that we truly live and breathe our mission of transforming the environment, by investing in our local community. The charity matches our own sustainability drive, as it strives to be self-sufficient, helping to instil this message within our employees.”

Following a spate of break-ins at Brickmakers’ Wood, where thieves stole tools and vandalised the site, destroying many of the structures and improvements that Haven Power volunteers had helped to create, the charity was forced to suspend activities.

Mr Sheffield continued: “After hearing about the break-ins, we donated an additional £5,000 on top of the amount raised by staff to help the charity purchase extra security for the site and helped to restore much of the woodland to enable the charity to re-open. Our aim is to continue this positive work throughout 2018, helping to re-energise the project and ensure that people who will benefit from it the most, finally have access to a relaxing, natural environment.”

For more information on the work Eden-Rose Coppice Trust and Haven Power action in the community, visit: https://www.havenpower.com/through-the-eyes-of-a-haven-power-volunteer/