Salutem Finance Team Swaps Spreadsheets for Spades at Chesham Specialist Care Service

Members of the finance team at Salutem Care and Education traded spreadsheets and calculators for gardening gloves during a volunteering day at Birchwood specialist service in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

The team spent the day weeding, planting, and trimming in the home’s gardens, helping to prepare the outdoor spaces for spring. Between bouts of hard work, there was plenty of laughter and teamwork as the group got their hands dirty.

They were warmly welcomed by service manager Katarzyna Stopa-Kucab, along with volunteers Anita and Barbara, and the rest of the dedicated Birchwood team. The visiting colleagues were also treated to a delicious home-cooked lunch prepared by Katarzyna, which was greatly appreciated after a busy morning outdoors.

In the afternoon, the finance team had the opportunity to meet some of the people who are supported at Birchwood and to join them for an engaging art session. Watching residents create their incredible works of art proved to be one of the highlights of the day.

At Salutem, volunteering days such as this are seen as an invaluable opportunity for colleagues to connect with the people supported across the group, gain first-hand insight into the vital work carried out in services, and make a tangible difference. These off-site experiences not only benefit the services through practical improvements but also help to strengthen relationships, boost morale, and reinforce the organisation’s shared sense of purpose.

Carolyn Symcox, finance director at Salutem Care and Education, said: “It was a fantastic experience to spend time at Birchwood and get involved in something so different from our usual day jobs. The team was amazing, and it was inspiring to meet the individuals we support and see the wonderful work being done by the staff. We can’t wait to go back and see the gardens in full bloom next spring.”