18 Dec 2006 - Cadbury Schweppes see Sea Scouts ship-shape
A team building event for employees of Cadbury Schweppes in Maple Cross not only strengthened relations within the company but proved remarkably successful for the people they helped.The Sea Scout Headquarters in Riverside Drive, Rickmansworth, badly needed renovating and the tatty state of the decor was also a particular worry with an impending Royal Navy inspection.
With the high ceilings and the prohibitive cost of professional decorators the Scouts were only too glad when the team from Cadburys contacted Three Rivers Volunteer Centre asking for a suitable project.
Robert Bradshaw, of Three Rivers Volunteer Centre co-ordinated the event.
"The Sea Scout hall is inspected by the Royal Navy periodically. The Scout leaders were very worried that the poor standard of general decor of the main hall would count against them. Given the size and height of the hall a lot of equipment was needed. We needed three towers, as well as paints, rollers/brushes, floor covering. All materials and costs were contributed by Cadbury Schweppes."
On the day 23 employees from Cadbury Schweppes came along.
"Many of the team also contributed to the event in August at the allotment site in Mill End. But we saw some new faces also," said Robert.
"They are predominantly younger executives who spend a great deal of their time in Europe or SE Asia and enjoy the opportunity to get together for a team building event whilst also contributing to the community. The latter is a strong ethic in Cadbury Schweppes worldwide, originating as the company does from a Quaker family.
"The team exceeded our expectations with their fantastic response.
"Scout Leader Charles Hirst and I reckoned that the team would be able to paint the ceiling, roof supports and far enough down the walls so that the job could be completed from the ground at a later date.
"In fact, not only was the whole hall completed but two classrooms, the stairwell and the entrance lobby were also completed.
"The team worked flat out and achieved an amazing result.
The hall now looks really smart which is good, not only for the inspection but also for the scouts who use it."
Robert, who is spearheading the CVS and Volunteer Centre's Corporate Social Responsibility project called for more companies to come forward.
"We have three additional projects in the pipeline. One would be suitable for a small team working in-doors and needs to be completed by the end of March. The other two are summer projects and would be suitable for teams of 20 or more."
If any other companies are interested in a cost-effective, fulfilling team building exercise for their employees then please contact Robert on 01923 711174 or by e-mail at threerivers.vb@virgin.net.
On the day 23 employees from Cadbury Schweppes came along.
"Many of the team also contributed to the event in August at the allotment site in Mill End. But we saw some new faces also," said Robert.
"They are predominantly younger executives who spend a great deal of their time in Europe or SE Asia and enjoy the opportunity to get together for a team building event whilst also contributing to the community. The latter is a strong ethic in Cadbury Schweppes worldwide, originating as the company does from a Quaker family.
"The team exceeded our expectations with their fantastic response.
"Scout Leader Charles Hirst and I reckoned that the team would be able to paint the ceiling, roof supports and far enough down the walls so that the job could be completed from the ground at a later date.
"In fact, not only was the whole hall completed but two classrooms, the stairwell and the entrance lobby were also completed.
"The team worked flat out and achieved an amazing result.
The hall now looks really smart which is good, not only for the inspection but also for the scouts who use it."
Robert, who is spearheading the CVS and Volunteer Centre's Corporate Social Responsibility project called for more companies to come forward.
"We have three additional projects in the pipeline. One would be suitable for a small team working in-doors and needs to be completed by the end of March. The other two are summer projects and would be suitable for teams of 20 or more."
If any other companies are interested in a cost-effective, fulfilling team building exercise for their employees then please contact Robert on 01923 711174 or by e-mail at threerivers.vb@virgin.net.