Smailes Goldie Supports Rooted in Hull with Volunteering Day

On 19th June, employees from Smailes Goldie Chartered Accountants got straight to work at Rooted in Hull, urban farm, Hull City Centre.

As part of Smailes Goldie’s Smile365 Plus package, facilitated by HEY Smile Foundation, this volunteering day effectively blended corporate social responsibility with hands-on community service.

Rooted in Hull is an inspiring urban farm located in the heart of Hull city centre. Their vision is to help grow a healthy, resourceful, creative, and connected city. The organisation carries out a range of activities including food growing, beekeeping, and hosting arts and cultural events – all designed to engage and benefit the local community.

The Volunteering Activity

A team from Smailes Goldie joined Rooted in Hull to assist with the general upkeep of the site. Their tasks included maintenance and gardening activities, vital for keeping the farm safe, welcoming, and productive. The site itself is flat and accessible, with facilities such as composting toilets, refreshments, and even a pizza oven — volunteers were treated to homemade pizzas for lunch, adding a tasty and enjoyable touch to the day.

Why Smailes Goldie Got Involved

As part of their Smile365 Plus package, Smailes Goldie offered a fully brokered volunteering day for their employees, reflecting the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities where their teams live and work.

One of the team on the day said:
“We are incredibly proud to have launched our volunteering initiative this year, giving every employee the opportunity to dedicate a day to a good cause. It was particularly rewarding to support Rooted in Hull, as we’re passionate about contributing to the local community. The team thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The work felt meaningful, and the tasks gave a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction. Thank you to Martin for guiding us through the day and for the spinach plant and the soup for lunch — they were lovely!’”

The Impact on Rooted in Hull

Martin, representing Rooted in Hull, expressed heartfelt thanks:
“It was fantastic to have the Smailes Goldie volunteers with us. This time of year is always busy, and with limited funding, we rely heavily on volunteers to help with daily tasks and event preparations. The team arrived just days before a major event and were a massive help, clearing weeds, rearranging the site, and making the space safe and welcoming for visitors. A big thanks to everyone involved!”

This partnership between Smailes Goldie and Rooted in Hull highlights the benefits of corporate volunteering to make a real difference. Not only did the volunteers gain a rewarding experience and team building, but their efforts directly supported the ongoing work of an organisation dedicated to enriching the local community through sustainable urban farming and cultural initiatives.

If you would like to get your business involved with Smile 365, brokered volunteering opportunities are offered. This can include team building days or alternatively, fixed volunteering hours for your employees, based on their skills and knowledge.

Please email volunteering@heysmilefoundation.org.