Sophie’s volunteering story

At Amber, we’re proud to offer every team member two volunteering days each year. It’s part of our commitment to supporting the causes that matter most to our people, while encouraging time away from the desk to connect with the community. Whether it’s through environmental projects, charity work, or inspiring the next generation, we are thrilled to see the impact our colleagues create.

Throughout her time at Amber, Sophie, our Net Zero Product and Proposition Lead, has used her volunteering hours in wonderfully varied ways both individually and alongside the Amber team.

How you have chosen to use your volunteering hours?

“It’s been a bit of a mix over the last few years! I’ve walked dogs for the Cinnamon Trust, extending my lunch hour to help those who can’t walk their dogs in the same way as before – as a dog lover it’s such a great use of my time.

I’ve also given a talk at the local university around careers, which was such a refreshing change compared to everything else! On top of that, I’ve organised some company-wide volunteering. We’ve spent time at Bute Park and Alexandra Gardens helping to weed, litter pick, and prepare flower beds. One of the highlights was taking part in the successful world record attempt for the largest river clean-up!

I’ve done similar things in the past years and try to make sure I use my time as each new year comes around. I also make use of my flexible working to donate platelets as often as I can.”

What inspired you to use your volunteering days this way?

“I love nature and the outdoors, so it’s brilliant to use the time to step away from screens and spend time outside, and also allows me to give back to the community at the same time.”

Can you share a memorable moment or story from the experience?

“It’s just great getting outside with colleagues and chatting while weeding, rather than on Teams. It makes the experience so much more enjoyable.”

Did the experience spark any ideas for future volunteering work?

“I’m hoping to do more with students in the future, as I found that kind of support so helpful when I was younger.”

Sophie’s story shows the real value of making space for volunteering – whether that’s connecting with nature, spending time with colleagues, or giving back to the next generation.

At Amber, we’re thrilled to see how our team use their volunteering hours to create a positive impact in ways that matter most to them.