Supporting the next generation at the local primary school summer fete
Last week our team spent a fantastic day volunteering at Gallions Primary School Summer Fete, helping to create a fun and educational experience for pupils and their families. Located close to our Barking depot, the school is part of our local community, and the day gave us a meaningful opportunity to get involved, support young people and make a positive difference. The initiative was supported through our Community Grant Scheme, which gives employees the opportunity to apply for funding for causes and organisations they are personally connected to. Danish Khan, our Head of SHEQ, became a school governor at Gallions Primary School in October 2025 and applied for the grant as part of his commitment to supporting the school and its wider community.
We hosted an interactive stall featuring a range of activities designed to engage young minds and introduce children to some of the work we do. One of the most popular attractions was our sunflower planting station, where children had the opportunity to plant their own sunflower seeds and take them home to nurture and watch grow. The activity also gave us the opportunity to speak to children about the importance of protecting the natural environment during construction projects, including how we often plant trees and always reinstate biodiverse habitats once projects are complete. Throughout the day, dozens of seeds were planted, sparking plenty of excitement among the budding gardeners.
Children also enjoyed trying on construction safety gear and posing for photos in our dedicated construction corner, giving them a hands-on glimpse into life within the industry. Alongside this, we ran land and sea wildlife quizzes that challenged participants’ knowledge while encouraging learning about the natural environment and the role construction teams play in protecting it.
Throughout the day, children who took part in the activities were entered into a raffle, with a variety of toys and prizes generously sponsored by the company up for grabs. The prize draw created plenty of excitement and was a fitting end to a fantastic day, which saw enthusiastic participation from young people across all the activities.
As a business, we are passionate about supporting STEM education and inspiring future generations. Together with our STEM Ambassadors, we actively seek opportunities to engage with young people, and the Summer Fair provided a fantastic opportunity to do just that. Through hands-on activities such as planting sunflower seeds, exploring construction equipment, and taking part in wildlife quizzes, children were encouraged to learn, ask questions, and discover more about the world around them.
Reflecting on the event, Danish Khan thanked the volunteers for their efforts:
“Thank you all for taking part and giving your time to the cause. You brought smiles to the young kids’ faces, and I’m sure we can build on that momentum as we help shape the next generation in the right way.”
The day was a wonderful opportunity to give back to the local community, engage with young people, and inspire curiosity about the environment and construction. A big thank you to all our volunteers who helped make the event such a success.
