Smart Group Volunteers at Age UK Bermondsey

Smart Group teams volunteered at Age UK Bermondsey’s Centre with HandsOn London, supporting activities that promote health and social connection for older people.

Volunteer Recap

Earlier this month, employees from across Smart Group – including colleagues from Story Events, Moving Venue, and our central Group departments spanning marketing, business development, operations, and sales – came together for a day of volunteering at Age UK Bermondsey’s Healthy Living and Learning Centre, organised in partnership with HandsOn London.

The Centre plays a vital role within the local community, offering classes, activities, and advice to help older people lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives. Many of the members who attend experience loneliness or isolation, making opportunities for social connection particularly valuable.

Dance Fitness Class

Gardening and Weeding

A Day of Connection and Support

After a warm welcome and introduction from Georgia at HandsOn London and Kat, the Centre Manager, the Smart Group volunteers began the day with a lively dance fitness class led by instructor Michael. The room was soon filled with energy and laughter, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.

Before lunch, volunteers supported the Centre team by setting up tables and undertaking some gardening and weeding to improve the entrance area. As many of the Centre’s members live in flats without outdoor space, these enhancements will make a lasting difference, creating a more welcoming and accessible environment that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Bingo and a Quiz

Shared Conversations and Smiles

Lunch offered the perfect opportunity for volunteers to sit down with members, sharing stories, experiences, and conversation over a meal. These simple but meaningful moments of connection are at the heart of what the Centre provides – and they make a real difference to members’ wellbeing.

The afternoon brought plenty of fun, with several rounds of bingo and a quiz, led by one of the volunteers, to the delight of all involved.

Thank you, volunteers, for your contribution to Age UK Bermondsey! You brought so much warmth, energy, and kindness to the Centre, which made for a fantastic day. Your presence lifted the moods of many.

Georgia from HandsOn London Reflected on the team’s visit

Continuing Our Commitment to Community

At Smart Group, we are proud to foster a culture of giving back. Employees are actively encouraged to participate in volunteer days and are given one day per year to engage in charitable activities – whether through group-led initiatives like this one, or causes of their own choosing.

This initiative forms part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our local communities, and we are certain it will not be the last time the visitors of Age UK Bermondsey see us. We are already planning ways to make an even greater impact through future volunteering and community engagement.

Ways You Can Make a Difference!

To learn more about volunteering opportunities, visit www.handsonlondon.org.uk or sign up for their community days here.