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Balsam bashing and food parcel packing - volunteer days in action

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Three TEL team members walking through tall greenery, smiling and holding pulled-up balsams during a conservation activity.

Two recent staff volunteer days for teams from Liverpool’s School of Medicine highlighted the importance of community engagement and teamwork. The Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Team spent their day balsam bashing, while the Engagement Team packed food parcels at The Whitechapel Centre.

Group photo of the TEL team standing together in front of the Liverpool School of Medicine sign.

Balsam bashing at Bluebell Woods 

Bluebell Woods at Aintree Hospital offers a vital green space adjacent to Aintree Hospital. As part of the NHS Forest Project, the TEL team did their bit to help tackle the spread of Himalayan Balsam, an invasive plant species, by removing it from the woodland – commonly referred to as Balsam Bashing. This ongoing volunteer effort is essential to maintain the natural habitat for both wildlife and visitors, including hospital staff and patients. 

Close-up of Megan Juss, TEL Manager, holding a large bundle of pulled-up balsams in Bluebell Woods.

Megan Juss, TEL Manager, reflected on the significance of the day:

Spending time outdoors and being in nature has great mental health benefits for everyone. Volunteering not only lets us give back to the community but also brings us closer as a team. 

Two separate photos of team members taken while they were balsam bashing in Bluebell Woods.

Bluebell Woods provides a peaceful environment for both hospital staff and patients, offering mental health benefits through its accessible and welcoming green space. In a hospital setting, nature can promote healing and reduce stress, making the maintenance of the woodland particularly valuable. 

The work is a community effort, with volunteers like the TEL team actively engaging in conservation. This fosters a sense of responsibility and helps build connections, strengthening the community's commitment to preserving local natural resources. Ella Matthews added:

It felt good to help out and make a difference together as a team. It was rewarding to see the areas we worked on and know that we’re contributing to something bigger. 

 The Engagement Team standing together outside The Whitechapel Centre Donation Drop

Supporting services at The Whitechapel Centre 

The Whitechapel Centre provides vital support for those experiencing homelessness in Liverpool. Their services address homelessness, housing issues, and healthcare needs, improving access to essential services. 

The Engagement Team’s day at The Whitechapel Centre provided an opportunity to learn about the essential work the charity does. During the visit, they sorted through clothing donations, helped put together over 100 food parcels, and gathered clothes for service users. 

Summing up the team’s experience, Robyn McKeown, Engagement Team Lead, commented:

Whitechapel does such important work, and it was great to offer support behind the scenes. The University’s Volunteering Days make it possible to help, even with a busy schedule. Half a day really makes a difference.

Being away from our desks also helped our team bond - much more than if we had just gone out for lunch – and we all appreciated the chance to get involved. It also educated me on what items should be donated to food banks, ensuring we're helping in the most effective way.

Two members of the Engagement Team help organise donations inside The Whitechapel Centre warehouse, surrounded by shelving stacked with supplies, boxes, and bags.

Whitechapel works closely with local healthcare providers, including Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, through initiatives like the Hospital Inreach Service. This service ensures that individuals at risk of being discharged into homelessness receive appropriate assessments, support, and follow-up healthcare. Additionally, Whitechapel collaborates with medical professionals and students to offer both practical and healthcare-related support to those in need.  

Four members of the Engagement Team chat and sort food items on a donation table inside The Whitechapel Centre

Interested in organising your own team volunteer day?  

These volunteer days not only contributed to important causes but also reinforced the connections within the teams at the School of Medicine. Volunteering provides an opportunity to step outside of our everyday roles and come together to support local initiatives that benefit both the community and our own sense of wellbeing. 

Both teams look forward to future volunteering opportunities, further strengthening their bonds with one another and with the communities they serve. 

If you work at the University of Liverpool, speak to your Line Manager about the University’s scheme which offers up to three paid days per academic year to volunteer. Interested in supporting Blubell Woods or The Whitechapel? Volunteers are always welcome. 

Contact:
Nick White at Bluebell Woods at Aintree Hospital
David Roper at The Whitechapel Centre