QBE’s corporate volunteering at SPCA
On 15 July, a team from insurance company QBE came down to SPCA. Don't worry, this isn't another flood update! The team joined us at the centre for their third year of volunteering.
Nine volunteers wearing 'white t-shirts with the letters QBE and a blue logo stand smiling in front of green bin bags
The volunteers work in multinational insurance, with team members ranging in age from their mid-20s to their mid-50s. Simon described their day jobs as office-based work filled with "meetings, phone calls, spreadsheets and IT systems". A day at the centre offers a welcome break from screen-based work, giving them the opportunity to get on their feet and do something hands-on.
QBE provides employees with an annual Foundation Day, allowing them to take a day away from work to volunteer in their local community.
Nine volunteers sit in metal chairs inside of a hall
QBE first volunteered at SPCA in 2024 after Volunteering Matters put us in touch. Although the visit was arranged at relatively short notice, Simon said the centre was well prepared, with plenty of tasks and equipment ready for the team. The volunteers helped the team to prepare for our Christmas Fayre by putting up decorations, decorating trees and setting up Santa's Grotto for photos.
The team returned the following year to support Community Kitchen, helping to prepare the kitchen and chop vegetables. A few members also helped tidy the boutique and organise our project cupboard.
This year, the volunteers split into groups to tackle a range of jobs across the centre. They helped clear the garden, prepared crafts for the Camley Street Festival, and finally brought the project cupboard organisation task to completion.
As always, we were impressed by the team's enthusiasm and willingness to take on whatever was needed. Across the 11 volunteers, they:
Filled 15 green bags with litter, overgrown branches and weeds from the garden
Cut more than 100 squares of fabric for a crafts project
Packed gift baskets for graduating nursery children
Created a balloon arch for the nursery graduation
Compiled a complete inventory of the project cupboard
One team member even brought in a donation of clothing for the boutique.
A woman smiles and holds up a square with a colourful drawing of umbrellas in Camden Market, with Camden written in cursive on the bottom
Three people stand outside smiling wearing white QBE t-shirts
Two women stand leaning over a table preparing goodie bags with sticker sheets and bubbles
We're happy to say the appreciation is mutual. Simon shared that the team has always had a "fantastic experience" and felt extremely welcome at the centre. He particularly appreciates how well prepared the activities are, allowing everyone to get started straight away.
He also spoke about how much the team values the opportunity to make a tangible difference in their community and contribute to people's lives in a way that's very different from their day-to-day work. Because SPCA supports such a diverse range of people, from nursery children to Golden Years members, everyone can find an activity that resonates with them personally.
Simon said his favourite activity has been gardening, as it gives him the chance to get outdoors and be active. He also appreciates being able to see the immediate, tangible impact the team has made by the end of the day.
Three people work in the garden, one standing on a ladder clipping back branches
As a manager, Simon values the opportunity for his colleagues to connect in a different environment. With some team members working remotely, it's rare for everyone to spend time together away from work.
It's always a pleasure to welcome this fantastic group of volunteers to SPCA. We're excited to continue building our relationship with Simon and his team, and we're incredibly grateful for everything they've done to help make the centre an even warmer and more welcoming place for our service users.
The volunteers stand in front of the green bin bags at the side of the building, along with a person in a dark green top and beige shorts, and a woman in a blue dress.
A wooden archway leading to a concreate plot surrounded by another arch, benches, planters, and freshly trimmed trees
