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What can nine volunteers achieve in a single day? At our recent corporate volunteering day at Peldon Campus, the answer is simple: quite a lot!

Recently, we welcomed a team of nine engineers from Sky UK Ltd to our Peldon Campus near Colchester for another fantastic day of corporate volunteering. Armed with tools, enthusiasm, and a willingness to get stuck in, the team spent the day carrying out a range of improvement projects that will benefit the people we support for years to come.

From replacing an old shed to installing a brand-new summer house, the impact of their work was immediate, helping to create safer, more welcoming outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed by residents, staff, and visitors alike.

But perhaps most impressive of all is that this wasn’t a one-off act of generosity. This year marked the fifth consecutive year that Sky has supported Autism Anglia through volunteering, building a partnership that continues to deliver meaningful change.

A Team Effort with a Lasting Impact

Corporate volunteering days can make a huge difference to charities, and the Sky team proved exactly why.

During their visit, volunteers:

✅ Removed and replaced an old shed

✅ Installed a new metal storage shed

✅ Built a new summer house

✅ Painted fencing around the site

✅ Tidied cabling and completed general maintenance work

While these projects may seem straightforward, the impact they have on the people we support is significant. Maintaining large sites requires ongoing investment, and volunteer support allows us to complete improvements that might otherwise take much longer or place additional pressure on charity resources.

By donating both their time and skills, the Sky engineers helped deliver improvements that enhance the campus environment while saving the charity thousands of pounds in maintenance costs.

Supporting People to Enjoy Their Environment

Located just outside Colchester, Peldon Campus provides residential care and supported living services for the adults we support.

The campus offers people the opportunity to live in a supportive environment while developing independence, building confidence, and enjoying meaningful experiences in a safe and welcoming setting.

Outdoor spaces play an important role in daily life at Peldon. Whether it’s spending time with friends, enjoying fresh air, gardening, relaxing, or participating in activities, well-maintained grounds help create an environment where people can feel comfortable and at home.

The improvements carried out by the Sky team will help ensure those outdoor spaces remain attractive, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone who uses them.

Five Years of Continued Support

One of the most remarkable aspects of this story is the longevity of the partnership.

For five years running, teams from Sky have volunteered their time to support Autism Anglia, returning year after year to help with projects that genuinely make a difference.

Long-term partnerships like this are incredibly valuable. They allow organisations to build stronger relationships, develop a deeper understanding of each other’s work, and create a greater collective impact.

For Sky employees, these volunteering days also provide an opportunity to learn more about autism, visit our services, and better understand the lives of the people we support.

By spending time on site and meeting members of the Autism Anglia community, volunteers gain first-hand insight into why their contribution matters so much.

Why Corporate Volunteering Matters

Corporate volunteering is about much more than completing tasks.

For charities, it brings additional skills, capacity, and resources that can significantly increase impact. For businesses, it offers employees a chance to give back, strengthen team relationships, and support causes that make a real difference in their local communities.

At Autism Anglia, corporate volunteering helps us:

• Improve environments and facilities
• Deliver projects that might otherwise be delayed
• Build stronger community connections
• Raise awareness of autism and our services
• Create meaningful partnerships with local businesses

Most importantly, it helps us continue enhancing the lives of autistic people and their families across the region.

A Huge Thank You

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Emma and the team at Sky UK Ltd for their continued dedication and support.

Their commitment over the past five years has made a real and lasting difference, not only to our facilities but to the people who use them every day.

Partnerships like this remind us of the incredible impact that can be achieved when businesses and charities work together towards a common goal.

Could Your Organisation Make a Difference Too?

If you’re looking for a meaningful corporate volunteering day that delivers genuine impact while bringing your team together, we’d love to hear from you.

Whether it’s painting and decorating, gardening projects, maintenance tasks, fundraising, or sharing specialist skills, there are countless ways your organisation can help support autistic people across East Anglia.

👉 To find out more about corporate volunteering opportunities, contact our fundraising team at fundraising@autism-anglia.org.uk

Together, we can create positive change, strengthen communities, and help ensure autistic people have the opportunities and support they need to thrive. 🩷