AN environmental charity near Chard is helping people give something back.

Magdalen Farm has been helping west country businesses get out of the office and volunteer on projects that benefit others by offering free corporate volunteering days which have proved a hit with firms keen to do their bit in the community.

Magdalen Farm chief executive, Giles Aspinall, said the popularity of the scheme showed a growing trend of businesses donating their time to worthy causes in the community, often called Corporate Social Responsibility.

“The kind of businesses that contact us feel want to help others and play a part in their local community," he said.

"There’s a strong link between volunteering and building better teams too.

"The chance to support vital environmental work that helps our visitors with disabilities and other challenges can be highly motivational. Everyone benefits.”

One recent visitor to the organic farm was Xylem Water Solutions from Axminster, who spent a day working together to clear paths and riverbanks.

Manager at Xylem, Julie Burke, said employees got a lot out of the day.

“The team loved it," she said. "Everyone has come back and said how good it was and that they could see some real outcomes from the day. We’ll definitely return to Magdalen to support their vital work.”

And it is not just businesses benefitting from the scheme, with schools, families, charities and other organisations.

Among other projects, volunteers have helped create a path to help children in wheelchairs access Magdalen’s vegetable garden and more help is needed.

For more on volunteering, contact Lisa Herbert on 01460 30144 or info@magdalenfarm.org.uk.