On the 9th and 16th of July, the Ringway Centre welcomed 18 volunteers from Google’s advertising team for a day of painting, clearing and practical problem-solving. By the time they left, the Main Hall had been transformed, a skip had been filled and even a long-forgotten printer had been brought back to life.
The volunteers were taking part in GoogleServe, an initiative that gives Google employees the opportunity to spend a day supporting charities and community organisations. The programme began in 2007 and was created around the idea that volunteering can bring people together, strengthen teams and make a practical difference to local communities.
Each of the 20 plus volunteers had chosen to take part, using the day both to help the Grove Park Community Group and to spend time together away from their usual working environment. They arrived ready to work, brought their own lunches and approached every job with enthusiasm. What made the day particularly heartwarming was how pleased they were to be there. The volunteers spoke warmly about the opportunity to help, and their enjoyment was clear in the smiles and laughter throughout the day.
Some of these volunteers were new and some were returning volunteers, having helped with maintenance work at the Ringway Centre the previous year. Their latest task was to redecorate the main hall in a soft, hazy colour, creating a calmer and more welcoming space for the many people who use the Centre each week.
The hall is home to the Friday Community Café, Open Mic evenings, Music Nights, Warm Welcome sessions and a variety of other community activities. Fresh, clean walls may appear to be a simple improvement, but they make an important difference to the atmosphere of a space where people come to meet, share food, enjoy music and spend time with their neighbours.
Google also made a financial donation based on the number of employees taking part. This enabled GPCG to hire a skip and clear away debris, broken items and other things that had accumulated around the Centre over time. For a small and self-funded charity run entirely by volunteers, this kind of practical support is invaluable. The materials and labour provided during the day would probably have cost the community group more than £1,000 per each of the days.
The project was also supported by the Dulux Decorator Centre on the Chiltonian Industrial Estate (Manor Lane, Lewisham, SE12 0TX), which supplied paint, rollers, brushes and dust sheets. Camille, who led the Google team, helped keep the work organised and moving throughout the day, making sure that everyone could contribute.
One of the most joyful moments came from an entirely unexpected job. The Ringway Centre had a highspeed tabletop printer that had been out of use for years because nobody had been able to operate it properly. Two technically minded volunteers from Google decided to investigate, trying different options until the machine finally began working again. Their reaction was wonderful to see. They were almost skipping with happiness, celebrating the achievement as enthusiastically as if they had completed a much larger project.
A community built by volunteers
The day also highlighted the dedication of GPCG trustee and secretary Andrew Edkins, who was once again fully involved in the work. Andrew regularly attends meetings and gives his time and project management skills to help move the charity’s plans forward. During the GoogleServe day, he helped with the redecoration and clearing before patiently cleaning the rollers so they could be used again.
Some people might have looked at the used rollers and thought it would be easier to throw them away and buy new ones. That is not the GPCG ethos. Reusing materials, reducing waste and caring for the natural environment are part of the Group’s values, and Andrew’s careful work reflected that approach perfectly.
GPCG Chair Al Walter, who works for Google, put the charity forward to receive support through GoogleServe. His connection helped bring together corporate volunteering, donated materials and the ongoing commitment of local trustees and volunteers. The result was not only a cleaner and brighter building, but a strong reminder of what can happen when people contribute their time and skills generously.
Grove Park Community Group has been built on volunteering and community action for more than 50 years. Whether you can help at an event, support a practical project or offer a professional skill, your time can make a real difference. To find out more about volunteering with GPCG, speak to the team at the Ringway Centre or get in touch through the Group’s website.
Grove Park Community Group is a registered charity, number 1046082.
