Staff at a communications company put something back into the community when they gave their time and efforts to improve social projects.

Over 60 employees at Talk Talk in Stevenage spent a day working in the town alongside charity Stevenage Community Trust, offering help with painting and decorating, gardening, opera singing, IT, renovating play areas and painting murals.

Talk Talk business change manager Hilary Buttigieg said: “We have a Give Something Back programme which is open to all staff across the UK, to encourage them to be involved in volunteering or fundraising. Staff are encouraged to use one working day each year to give something back to the local community.

“At the Stevenage office we have decided to get into the community spirit and work together on one day to really make a difference.”

Inspired by the Olympics, sporting events were also held at the Stevenage office, raising �2,000 for Stevenage Community Trust, Herts Air Ambulance and Stevenage Crossroads.

“Trust director June Oldroyd said: “It’s great when local businesses take the time to be involved in the local community in this way and the money will go a long way to benefiting others beyond this one day.”

The organisations helped were Hellards Road and Pinewoods sheltered housing, Springfield House community centre, Stevenage Haven homeless shelter, Broadwater and Oughton Head children’s centres and Stevenage Community Trust.