LOCAL HEALTH BOARD STAFF GIVE HELPING HAND TO COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Four local community projects have been given a helping hand by staff from Caerphilly Teaching Local Health Board (LHB).

As part of a team-building exercise with Business in the Community, staff donned Wellington boots and armed themselves with spades, strimmers and paint brushes to help various projects in the County Borough.

A recently-vandalised marshland pond at Llanfabon Infants School in Nelson was given a new lease of life with various shrubs planted to create a wetland area. Staff also painted new games on the school yard for pupils to enjoy during playtime.

At Hengoed Primary School, staff weeded and cleared the school’s eco garden as well as painting the playground fence. Ruperra Conservation Trust and Caerphilly Woodlands Trust were also supported with LHB staff clearing woodland to promote heather growth and dead hedging to create a new pathway.

Judith Paget, chief executive of Caerphilly Teaching LHB, said: “Taking part in these projects encouraged staff to get together with colleagues that they wouldn’t normally work with on a daily basis, boosting team morale. It also meant that we could build closer links and give something back to the community. Everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed the day and felt a real sense of achievement at the end.”

Jill Salter from Business in the Community added: “This was the first project that the LHB has done in the local community. It was a big success and great to see the commitment of their staff in taking on practical projects in a fun and rewarding way. Community involvement provides a great opportunity for staff to use and develop their skills, learn about the needs of communities and raise the profile of the organisation. We are hoping to work closely with the LHB in the future.”