A group of 17 volunteers spent the day with local charity Cyrenians, working hard to revitalise their Community & Green Skills Centre in Kirknewton. The team, based just a short drive away at our Axis House office, joined Cyrenians in their mission to support vulnerable people by improving vital community spaces.
SGN team picture
Cyrenians is dedicated to addressing the root causes of homelessness and food insecurity in the area, providing a range of services including accommodation, family support, and employment training. To support this mission, our volunteers took on a variety of tasks to enhance the centre’s facilities and create more accessible and sustainable spaces for growing organic food.
The team painted a barn used for tool storage and as a repair shop, protecting it from the weather and giving it a refreshed look. They also tackled the greenhouse area, removing turf and replacing it with wood chips to create a more accessible space for cultivating vegetables. Volunteers cleared fields for future planting, levelled soil, and even unclogged drains around the greenhouse to improve water retention. The lifted turf will also be used to green the roof of a newly built structure, further enhancing the site’s sustainable practices.
The day of volunteering is part of our Community Action Programme, which provides employees a day of company time each year to support a charity or organization of their choice. With their day jobs focused on keeping the gas network safe and reliable, the SGN team embraced the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community.
Our LTS Planning Officer Arek Krzywania, who helped lead the team, said: “Despite the wet and windy Autumn weather, everyone enjoyed the chance to spend time in the beautiful Scottish countryside while helping Cyrenians prepare for the months ahead. It’s incredibly rewarding to know our efforts will benefit both the community and the environment.”
Cyrenians Project Manager Andie Richards praised the SGN team’s efforts: “The SGN volunteers made a real difference today, showing resilience and commitment despite the challenging weather. Their work has not only improved our facilities for food production but has also helped create a space that will support future events and community projects. We’re so grateful for their enthusiasm and hard work.”
