Sometimes the most meaningful change starts with a quick conversation – for our Nottingham branch, that moment came during a quarterly meeting. As the team discussed wellbeing, community needs, and the challenges they saw around them, the conversation turned to something hard to ignore – the growing number of people in Nottingham struggling to afford basic meals. 

Supporting local charities

It all started when Ade, the branch’s external sales manager, suggested that the team create a food donation point in the branch and commit to supporting a small local charity. The concept was simple, practical, and immediately embraced by the team.

In the construction industry, it’s common for visiting reps to bring sweets or boxes of doughnuts when calling in to see the team. But the Nottingham team wondered: what if we redirected that goodwill?

Instead of pastries, they asked reps and even senior directors visiting the branch to bring non-perishable food items for collection. It wasn’t a fee or an obligation, just an invitation to contribute.

As Andy Black, Nottingham's branch manager, describes it: “We just remind them that we collect food for charity. If, from the goodness of their heart, they bring something, then great!” The response was overwhelmingly positive. Whether it was the managing director or a newly visiting rep, almost everyone arrived with carrier bags in hand.

What started as an individual's idea quickly became a collective effort and part of the team’s culture.

Partnering with Hope Nottingham 

In the past year, the branch shifted its donations to a charity called Hope Nottingham, located just four miles away from the branch. The charity focuses on providing food to people experiencing temporary hardship, often families who are simply trying to get through the week.

Andy and the team deliver the food themselves, usually taking “three or four carrier bags full” each time. And while the numbers tell one part of the story (most recently, 113 kilograms of food donated), the emotional impact tells another.

They recently received a thank-you note from Hope with a remarkable statistic: over the course of a year, such donations contribute to 180,000 meals provided through the charity. 

A tangible impact

For Andy, one moment stands out above the rest. During a casual conversation in the branch, a member of the team mentioned something Andy didn’t expect: “I don’t know whether you realise, but my sister actually goes to that food bank.”

Hearing that the support reached the family of someone working right beside him made the impact feel close to home, and reinforced everything the team knew about the importance of the project. As Andy reflected: “You realise you’re feeding people who’ve just had better times. They’re just people who need some help to feed their families. It’s all about helping people, that’s what really matters.”

An ongoing commitment

The Nottingham branch has no plans to stop. As long as the need is there, they will keep collecting, delivering, and supporting Hope and the local community.

“If we can ease someone’s burden, even a little, then we’re happy. That’s what this is about,” says Andy.

What started as a casual suggestion in a branch meeting has grown to become a powerful example of kindness, togetherness, and altruism. It’s a reminder that meaningful change can arise from a simple idea and a team deciding to act to support their local community.

If you would like to support Hope Nottingham’s mission, you can donate here, or if you’re interested in learning more about our branch teams and their initiatives, read our latest articles today.