The challenge states that teams must create a project to “deliver tangible outcomes and benefits to worthy causes across the South West community”. The Leonardo team’s project will see people across the Yeovil site – the Home of British Helicopters – donate a day of volunteering for the benefit of five local organisations that have been carefully selected as requiring support. They are: Yeovil Cricket Club, Maiden Beech Primary School, The Hub, Prodigal Bikes and Cookson's Court Care Home.
This is the first such initiative undertaken by any Leonardo UK site, and it is hoped that it will inspire similar activities at other company locations.
“We came up with ‘Be a Saint Day’, with the vision of transforming community volunteering at Leonardo,” explains team member, Molly Dugmore. “We want this day to become an annual community volunteering framework that is recognised by all employees and by local community projects across the Yeovil district.”
The project will initially involve creating five teams made up of employees from trainees up to senior leaders from across the Yeovil site. Teams will conduct a fundraising event of their choice, with money raised then spent on materials for ‘Be a Saint Day’ on 18 March. “Teams will undertake their day of volunteering, such as using their budget to buy painting equipment to spend the day redecorating rooms at one of the local organisations identified,” said team member, Jacob Potts.
Short and long term goals
The short-term goal will be to create an enjoyable and productive day for all employees involved, volunteering their time and skills for a local community project, and making a positive impact. In 2025, the graduate team plans to grow the project with 10 participating teams and a wider network of community charities. By 2026, they plan to implement a cross-departmental approach that will include a wider range of Leonardo employees with departments entering teams.
An additional objective of this project is to support Leonardo’s efforts to recognise and foster a community-focussed culture – as part of the company’s Transformation Programme. The project would also demonstrate a commitment to social value and support for a sustainable future.
Team member, Jacob Potts, added: “We want to make this day of volunteering an annual event for all Leonardo employees to participate in.”