Between April 2025 and March 2026, teams from across the airport carried out 4,856 hours of volunteering, supporting schools, foodbanks, environmental projects and community organisations across Essex and Hertfordshire.
From clearing woodland at Hatfield Forest with the National Trust to helping transform outdoor spaces at a neurological centre in Sawbridgeworth, airport staff have been rolling up their sleeves to make a difference in communities close to where they live and work.
They have also supported projects including a community garden in Stansted Mountfitchet, a rural studies centre, and a school farm in Saffron Walden, taking on everything from planting and landscaping to sorting food donations and improving learning spaces for local young people.
Daniel Turpin, Community Engagement Manager at London Stansted, said:
“Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity to recognise the fantastic contribution our colleagues make to the communities around us. Whether it’s helping transform a garden, supporting a local school or getting stuck into conservation work, our teams are always keen to give their time and make a difference. We’re incredibly proud of the impact they’ve had over the past year.”
One group of volunteers spent two days working with the National Trust at Hatfield Forest, clearing and burning leftover branches as part of ongoing conservation work.
Kimberley Goodall, Ranger at the National Trust, said:
“It was great to have the extra helping hands of the Stansted Airport team join us for a couple of days volunteering. They were a big help and it was great to share some of our conservation work and the beauty of the Forest with them.”
Elsewhere, volunteers helped transform the garden at the Jacobs Neurological Centre in Sawbridgeworth, creating a more welcoming outdoor space for residents, staff and visitors.
Sheila Henderson, Chair of Friends of Sawbridgeworth Neuro Centre, added:
“They achieved more in a day than we could have done in a month, and we’re so grateful for their support.”
Colleagues have also supported Harlow Foodbank following the busy Christmas period, helped create new outdoor learning spaces at Gorsefield Rural Studies Centre, and carried out hands-on work at Saffron Walden County High School’s Agricultural Science Unit.
Volunteers’ Week, which takes place from 1–7 June, is a national campaign recognising the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.
