Last Friday, two teams from GatenbySanderson came together to support the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean, taking part in litter picking and environmental surveys in Cleethorpes and Brighton. As part of our ongoing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), volunteering opportunities like this enable us to actively give back to our communities and protect the environment in meaningful ways.
Supporting Marine Conservation through Volunteering
The Great British Beach Clean, which runs nationwide, is a vital initiative aimed at reducing pollution and improving the health of marine ecosystems. In both Cleethorpes and Brighton, our teams worked alongside local volunteers, collecting litter and debris that can be harmful to marine life and coastal habitats. We were also involved in conducting beach surveys, helping to identify the types of waste found and contributing data to support broader research on how to combat pollution.
Beach Cleaning in Cleethorpes
The Cleethorpes team was greeted with crisp autumn weather as they made their way along the coastline. Equipped with gloves, litter-picking sticks, and bags, they spent the day removing plastic bottles, fishing gear, and other discarded items. The team also had the opportunity to join a quiz organised by the Marine Conservation Society, which added a light-hearted yet educational element to the day. It was an eye-opener for many of us to learn about the extent of marine pollution and how everyday items, like single-use plastics, have a lasting impact on our environment.
Beach Cleaning in Brighton
In Brighton, the experience was equally rewarding. Our team there tackled a mix of litter, from cigarette butts to food packaging, all of which can be devastating to marine animals if left unattended. Like their Cleethorpes counterparts, they also took part in the survey, with the collected data being fed into a nationwide effort to better understand and address pollution at the source. The day concluded with a quiz, helping to raise awareness of the marine conservation challenges facing the UK’s coasts.
GatenbySanderson’s CSR Commitment and Impact
Volunteering days like this are a core part of GatenbySanderson’s CSR strategy, which reflects our values of courage, collaboration and curiosity and our commitment to action, not just words. We believe that it’s important to make a positive impact beyond the workplace, contributing not only to the business community but to society at large. This aligns with our broader commitment to sustainability, including our focus on reducing our environmental footprint and supporting initiatives that promote long-term ecological health.
Our combined efforts resulted in saving 22kg of waste from entering into our oceans and protecting our marine life.
What made the day particularly meaningful was the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Being able to step outside of our usual roles and engage in hands-on activities for a good cause brought a fresh perspective and strengthened the sense of teamwork across different departments. It was also a reminder that small actions can collectively make a big difference. The litter we removed, and the data we contributed, are all part of a wider movement towards cleaner, healthier oceans and coastlines.
We look forward to participating in more initiatives like this in the future, knowing that our efforts are not just a drop in the ocean, but part of a larger tide of change.