1 July 2025

SHW - CSR & Social Catch Up - 6 Months Down, 6 To Go!

CSR, SHW News


Who’d have thought we were already at the half way stage of 2025, and of course in being so, we are also half way through the SHW Social Calendar. We’ve seen several new events take place for the first time this year, alongside a number of the regular favourites. With another batch of events fast approaching and with our CSR volunteer days soon to spring into action, here’s a run down of what’s been happening so far…..

 

February – Badminton – Haywards Heath

47 Players, £350 raised for our chosen charities!

Flamingos fly highest with Swans left treading water… 

Badminton returned with a bang in February, kicking off our 2025 calendar with a resounding success. In homage to the feathered shuttlecock, teams adopted names of an avian nature, and as the Swans struggled, the Flamingo’s soared to a famous victory. Our “Pro-League” and our “come along for some fun” format meant there was something for everyone.

March – SHWub Quiz – All Offices

100 Participants, £700 raised for our chosen charities!

Winner Winner, But Not Chicken Dinner...
 

March saw the invention of the SHW Quiz, or as it quickly became known, the SHWub Quiz. With our two enthusiastic hosts being streamed to all our offices, teams of 5 or 6 competed to be the inaugural SHWub Quiz Champions. A hotly contested quiz finally saw our colleagues from Eastbourne, in our East Sussex Coast region taking the honours!

 

 

April – SHW on the Water – Mercers Lake, Redhill

31 Participants, £250 raised for our chosen charities!

SHW on (in) the Water!

2025 saw us mix it up a little on the water, following 4 or 5 incredibly successful years of kayaking down the Thames, the leisurely paddling was replaced with a mixture of Dinghy Sailing (with mixed successes!) and Stand Up Paddle (with even more mixed successes!!). Despite the spring weather letting us down slightly, a fun time was had by all, and to be honest, once you’re wet, you’re wet!

 

 

 

 

May – Lawn Bowls – Newdigate Bowls Club

47 Bowlers, £350 raised for our chosen charities!

Roll Up, Roll Up, Roll Up..... 

Another new event for 2025, and in conjunction with the nearby seminar, SHW went all social for a whole day! With our amazing (and patient!) hosts at Newdigate Bowls Club overseeing events and sharing the tips of the trade, not even the heaviest of thunder storms could deter us, the threat of another impromptu quiz ensured all the players quickly returned to the greens despite the drizzle! An amazing afternoon, and definitely one to hang around for next year!

 

 

 

 

June – Staff Cricket – Staplefield Cricket Club

28 Players & Spectators, £250 raised for our chosen charities!

Middle Stump in Danger – Scott’s unexpected “catch”

The oldest event on the calendar continues to be wonderfully supported, the picturesque setting in the heart of Staplefield provided the perfect back drop on a beautiful summers day. Sadly, the greatest entertainment came from some individuals mis-haps and moments to forget. Yet, there were some moments of sporting brilliance, unfortunately, these all occurred from the same team leading to a slightly one-sided affair!

 

 

 

June – SHW Softball – Goffs Park, Crawley

40 Participants, £300 raised for our chosen charities!

Bulls’ Bashing, Bryants’ Bumbling

Another staff favourite, and following 2024’s wash out, Softball was given the prime calendar spot of June, making for a summer bat and ball double header. Goffs Park proved to be a hidden gem in the middle of Crawley, with an excellent turn out from all our offices, a three team format meant plenty of breaks for players to counter the soaring heat, and with some big hitting and fancy footwork on display (and a pre-loaded SHW Ice Box!) it proved quite the spectacle. The Sloggers took the bronze medal, The Whackers the silver, while The Bashers stole victory in the final innings to take gold!

 

 

 

 

And with that, the curtain was brought down on the first 6 months of social activities. But don’t panic we still have plenty to come, the jewel in the crown, Beach Volleyball, is fast approaching, Hockey and Football take their usual place on the calendar, alongside Golf and Tennis, the returning Padel (2024’s biggest hit) and new for 2025 SHW’s Yoga Retreat! (retreat might be a little over-selling it!).

Alongside the above, SHW have enjoyed their usual mental wellbeing events, office lunches, cake bakes, and the ever popular Dogs in the Office day, whilst also supporting the Super Siblings Easter Appeal.

SHW were also given the opportunity to “Play on the Pitch” taking part in a 7-a-side football tournament, hosted at Brighton & Hove Albions’ American Express Stadium. Likewise a strong 7-a-side Cricket team took part in the Thomas Snell & Passmore tournament, once again reaching the semi-final stage and ultimately losing to the competition winners (for a second year running!). A strong cycling peloton took part in CBRE’s Great Property Ride, raising over £800 for charity.

 

 

 

These events not only provide an outlet for all our colleagues to get together, relax, exercise and generally mix across all our different offices, but of course also in support of our chosen charity, FareShare – Sussex & Surrey, a food recycling organisation and NightWatch – Croydon, an organisation helping to support the homeless, every penny and every minute of support we can provide truly makes a massive difference.

Author

Paul Norris

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