Tending to our Green Space in Greenock

CIGNA UK employees volunteer for Quarriers

On 2nd September, 16 employees from CIGNA UK HealthCare Benefits (UKHB) volunteered for the charity Quarriers.

The willing volunteers took time away from their day jobs to clear an overgrown garden at Quarriers’ Westview project in Octavia Terrace, Greenock. Working alongside the charity, their efforts will allow the outside space to be developed and utilised more frequently. In turn this will help the residents enjoy their garden and enhance their general quality of life.

The volunteers from CIGNA included James Parker, CIGNA UKHB’s Managing Director, Grainne Bain, HR Director as well as employees from all departments across the business.

CIGNA International launched its Community Service Program worldwide earlier this year. Supporting CIGNA’s mission of helping the people we serve improve their health, well-being and sense of security. The program is designed to give employees’ the opportunity to volunteer with approved charities in their local community during regular work hours. The Quarriers garden initiative is hopefully the first of many local volunteering activities for CIGNA employees based in the UK.

James Parker, Managing Director at CIGNA UKHB says:

“This has been a great opportunity to support the people we serve in our local community. I was really pleased to see such an impressive turnout by the CIGNA staff. Everyone has been enthusiastic and has worked hard to make a significant improvement to the garden at Quarriers’ Westview project. We’re looking forward to taking on similar projects in the future.”

Jude Grant, Quarriers project manager at Westview, added:

“We are really grateful to the staff at CIGNA who took part in the employee challenge to tidy up the project garden. The people we support really enjoy using the garden and now they can look forward to watching the new shrubs that were planted by CIGNA staff grow next year. The garden now looks amazing.”

Quarriers’ Westview project, run in partnership with Inverclyde Council, supports eight people with physical and learning disabilities and epilepsy. The project has been running for the past 10 years.

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For further information please contact Victoria Harris, CIGNA's Direct Marketing Executive on 01475 492 483, victoria.harris@cigna.com or the CIGNA press office on 01475 492 484.

Notes to Editors:

CIGNA UK HealthCare Benefits is a leading provider of health benefits and services using a unique nurse led case management approach. CIGNA's approach is all about controlling employer costs while ensuring employees receive the most appropriate treatment in the most appropriate setting. They also work successfully with employers to reduce absence costs and manage employee wellbeing and productivity.

Quarriers is one of Scotland’s largest social care charities. It provides much needed care and support for thousands of vulnerable children, young people, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances such as homelessness, learning and physical disabilities and epilepsy.

The charity supports many thousands of people through its 150 service across the UK. Founded in 1871 by William Quarrier in Bridge of Weir, just outside Glasgow, Quarriers now employs more than 2,000 staff.

The charity’s work is carried out to meet one aim: to create a just and accepting society where everyone can participate and enjoy life. For more information please visit www.quarriers.org.uk

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