Green-fingered changemakers: how a morning of volunteering is driving corporate social impact

Posted June 30, 2026

Green-fingered changemakers: how a morning of volunteering is driving corporate social impact

By Andrea Rannard-Lambert, Director of Partnerships & Communications, ELBA

What happens when ELBA convenes an amazing cross-company network, a community partner provides a heart-felt local insight and we channel this into a Team Challenge (TC)? A colourful morning of practical group volunteering for CSR professionals and Corporate Responsibility Champions that can lead to greater Team Challenge engagement!

ELBA and partners marked the last day of June with the Teesdale & Hollybush Tenants & Residents’ Association (TRA) in Bethnal Green. Many representatives from eight different companies spent the morning coming together to show their solidarity and support for the community.

Organised by ELBA, the objective of the day was to provide a group of changemakers with the opportunity to share ideas and network while gaining first-hand TC experience they can then inspire their own organisations.

Ash Miah and Sarah Beydoun, who volunteer as the TRA’s head gardeners and are residents too, guided everyone through the green-fingered activity that included painting, gardening and maintaining the community garden.

Sarah commented:

“Seeing the immediate results of TCs is incredible for the volunteers and community alike. Community is beyond people – it’s the foxes, the birds, the biodiversity! We recycle everything we use as we create habitats for our native species.”

— Sarah Beydoun, Teesdale & Hollybush TRA

Louise Muller, ELBA’s Director of Partnerships, presented on the impact and importance of Team Challenges – for biodiversity, community cohesion, helping to keep community spaces open and maintained, recycling and upcycling, food sustainability, community education and for cultural assets too.

ELBA work with a network of city farms, community centres, TRAs, foodbanks, arts organisations, adventure playgrounds, plastic fishing charities, local parks to craft TCs that meet a community and a corporate need.

“Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. It’s a pleasure to support our local community garden.”

— Emma Bridgman, HR Manager at M3 Consulting

First partnering over 18 years ago, Teesdale & Hollybush TRA was one of the first TRAs to work with ELBA. The community group is a model of best practice in TCs and community engagement. Over the last 18 years ELBA has provided thousands of volunteers, and in the last 4 years alone has generated £71,000 of financial support that provides a long-term sustainability plan across the estate and has a massive knock-on effect across the community.

ELBA work experience placement Henry also got stuck in as a young volunteer, making a difference to the community space while building confidence, communication and networking skills to help him with his personal and professional journey.

Margaret added:

“For grassroots groups, volunteers are priceless! We are grateful for their time and energy. A huge shout out to them all and ELBA – your help supports our community and beyond. Thank you!”

— Margaret, Chairperson of Teesdale & Hollybush TRA

ELBA would like to thank everyone involved in today’s activity.