Beyond the Office: From Donkeys to Ducks – a Volunteering Day at Manor Farm
At Idox, we believe in the power of giving back to the community. Each year, colleagues have the opportunity to dedicate a day to volunteering, making a real difference in causes close to their hearts and communities. Today, we’re sharing the story of Gemma, Kathryn and Marie who recently took some time out to make the most of their paid volunteering days, lending a hand at Manor Farm in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire.
All three colleagues work within Idox’s Communities division. Kathryn oversees Idox’s ResearchConnect team, managing day-to-day operations, resources, and strategy, and has worked at Idox for 21 years. Gemma, who joined Idox in 2019, writes content for ResearchConnect, supporting universities and research institutions in identifying funding. Marie, with 27 years at Idox, manages tasks in Revenue Assurance, including renewals, invoicing, and customer liaison.
Manor Farm offers lifelong sanctuary for livestock in need, particularly elderly, disabled farm animals and those with special behavioural needs. From sheep to donkeys, ponies to pigs, and a flock of feathered friends, the farm provides a lifelong home for these beloved creatures.
Reflecting on their experience, Gemma, Kathryn, and Marie found themselves immersed in a rewarding day of meaningful work and connection with nature: “We really enjoyed the day and felt like we achieved a lot for a good cause within a short space of time. It was such a rewarding break from the day-to-day office work as we enjoyed the sunshine, exercise, fresh air and being with the animals. All three of us were invigorated by the experience and it was great to give something back to the community. There are no losers and the benefits are felt by all parties – especially, in this case, the ducks!”
Di Slaney, charity founder and trustee, was very impressed with the work the team put in, commenting: “Gemma, Kathryn and Marie helped remove some old fencing and nettles in our poultry area, which is getting a complete makeover this year, slowly but surely! The work in the poultry area this year has been like building the Forth Bridge, with unexpected snowfall in March damaging our A-frame structure meaning that whole area has needed to be rebuilt.
“It was tough work but they persevered and managed to clear a whole section gate to gate, so the ducks now have nowhere to sneak off into to lay their eggs and hide from us: RESULT! Many thanks for all your efforts, ladies – and also for the treats for the animals which were very much appreciated.”
As a company committed to making a positive impact within our communities, we’re so grateful to Gemma, Kathryn, and Marie for embracing the opportunity to give back. We encourage all our colleagues to follow their lead and discover the joy and fulfilment that comes from volunteering. Together, we can make a difference, one day at a time.