Volunteering at Gibside School: Getting our hands dirty for a good cause!

In a switch from having our heads full of IT, our team have enjoyed volunteering at Gibside School in Gateshead to help create a fabulous new outside space for its pupils.  

Opened in 2021 and rated as Outstanding by Ofsted, Gibside School needed some help making a plain outside space into a forest school learning environment for its 180 primary school children, all of whom have special needs. 

Working over four days in volunteer groups made up from across the business, our tasks including building a hazel and willow weaved fence, digging out a sensory garden and path, making a woven willow tunnel entrance, planting trees around the outside of the area, and building a wildlife-friendly dead hedge.  

We also got involved with building wooden planters to form raised beds so the children can have a go at growing their own vegetables and flowers and digging out an area ready for paving.