Sizewell C volunteers give 800 hours to local communities

Sizewell C is marking National Volunteers’ Week by celebrating the outstanding contribution of its workforce, who have given almost 800 hours of volunteering over the past year.

The project, under construction on the Suffolk coast, actively supports volunteering by offering staff 15 hours of paid time annually to use their skills and expertise to support local charities, schools, and community projects. This commitment enables meaningful, hands-on contributions that directly benefit communities across Suffolk.

In total, more than 170 workers have volunteered in the local area, supporting a wide range of initiatives.

Among the organisations to benefit is Sizewell C’s social partner, Inspire. Seven members of staff from Sizewell C’s Contract Management and Cost Estimating teams within the Supply Chain recently volunteered to refurbish Inspire’s Colville House in Lowestoft, removing carpet and giving the building a fresh coat of paint. The facility provides vital support to the local community.

Andy Crump, CEO of Inspire, said: “Support from Sizewell C and their volunteers makes a big difference to our work. By giving their time to help improve and maintain our buildings, they help us make sure more of the money we raise can go directly into supporting young people. Their support helps us create spaces where young people can learn and grow, which in turn helps power positive futures for young people across our communities.”

National Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1–7 June, is an annual UK-wide campaign recognising the efforts of millions of volunteers. At Sizewell C, the week provides an opportunity to highlight how staff, contractors, and partners are making a positive difference locally.

Throughout the week, Sizewell C will showcase a range of volunteering activities undertaken by the project team – from supporting environmental initiatives to working with community groups and local organisations. These efforts reflect the project’s ongoing commitment to being a positive and active presence in the area, and to leaving a lasting legacy across East Suffolk.

Sara Warwick, Social Value Specialist at Sizewell C, said: “We’ve recently launched the Doing the Power of Good for Suffolk Volunteering Platform, managed by our social partner, Community Action Suffolk. It allows charities and organisations to promote volunteering opportunities directly to Sizewell C. Alongside our employees, our wider workforce represents a significant pool of potential volunteers, and together we can make a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk.

“We also supports education-focused volunteering, including mentoring and mock interviews. Staff regularly read with pupils at Leiston Primary School to help improve literacy, and we’re looking to expand this team to support even more local children in achieving positive outcomes.”

This week, Sizewell C is also spotlighting members of its workforce who carry out lifesaving roles in their free time.

Lewis Dunn, a business admin apprentice at Sizewell C, and an RNLI lifeboat volunteer at Southwold station, said: “Sizewell C has been incredibly understanding of my commitment. My manager, Nettie Clarke, has been especially understanding of what I do outside of work. We had a shout a little over a month ago now when I was called out at 10.30pm and didn’t get back home until 02:45am the next day. Nettie understood the situation and allowed me to come in later once I had rested which I was incredibly grateful for.

“We are unpaid volunteers who give up our time, safety (and sleep) to keep those in danger at sea safe from harm. Being able to serve the local community I’ve grown up in and my colleagues around me fills me with great pride and responsibility, and we appreciate all the support we can get.”

Another key pillar of Sizewell C’s approach to community support is its Site Social Benefits Forum, which connects supply chain partners with local good causes as part of their social value commitments when joining the project.

More than a dozen companies have joined the forum so far, delivering impactful projects across the region. These include Tru7 removing asbestos and dilapidated buildings from Millennium Wood in Leiston, alongside Freedom Group which installed a new path, hedgehog hotels, log piles and nesting boxes.

In another recent project, teams from Lynch and Heidelberg – both part of the Sizewell C Civil Works Alliance – joined forces to carry out significant improvements to the Warden’s Trust’s main access track in Sizewell. The work was made possible through Heidelberg’s donation of materials, combined with skilled operatives and plant support from Lynch.

Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director of Sizewell C, who also chairs the Site Social Benefits Forum and sponsors the Suffolk Volunteering Scheme, said: “National Volunteers’ Week is a chance to recognise the real, practical difference our people are making across East Suffolk.

“From refurbishing community spaces to sharing expertise, their 800 hours of volunteering reflect a genuine commitment to the area we’re part of. This isn’t a one-off effort – it’s how we’re building Sizewell C. Step by step, we’re creating skills, partnerships, and opportunities that will deliver lasting benefits for local communities for generations to come.”

Together, these efforts highlight Sizewell C’s ongoing commitment to supporting volunteering, celebrating the contribution of its workforce, and making a lasting, positive difference to communities across East Suffolk.