Swapping Desks for Dirt: Our Team’s Volunteer Day with Thrive!

Published On: 6 August 2026

At John Lamb Hill Oldridge (JLHO), we believe strongly in the importance of giving back to our local communities. In this video, our team steps out of the office and into the garden for a rewarding corporate volunteer day with Thrive, an incredible charity dedicated to changing lives through gardening.

Thrive has nearly 50 years of experience providing safe, therapeutic gardening environments to support the physical and mental health of people facing various life challenges, including mental health conditions and dementia.

Highlights from the video include:

  • Alex Gibson-Watt (Managing Director, JLHO) sharing why supporting local community initiatives is a core responsibility for the firm, and how stepping away from the daily routine fosters a fantastic sense of teamwork.
  • Wendy Bates (Head of Business Development, Thrive) explaining the charity’s mission and outreach programs that help make their quiet, safe garden spaces accessible to as many people as possible.
  • Ken Maxwell (Director, JLHO) reflecting on the rewards of getting out in the fresh air, doing manual work, and learning from the incredible team at Thrive.

We are proud to support Thrive as one of our chosen charities for the year and are so grateful for the opportunity to help them maintain these vital green spaces!

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