Health Cash Plan provider Paycare, which has been supporting the health and wellbeing of the Wolverhampton community for over a century and a half, is marking a milestone of volunteering work at the Kingswood Trust – a charity providing environmental and outdoor experiences for local people.

As part of its commitment to both its team and its communities, Paycare employees receive two additional paid days off each year specifically for volunteering, fundraising, or giving back. And, for the past six years, a number of team members have chosen to commit their time to the Kingswood Trust – undertaking a wide range of activities, including maintaining animal enclosures, painting sheds and air raid shelters, cleaning solitary bee nesters, and flattening mole hills.

The Kingswood Trust, near Albrighton, started life in 1923 as a holiday camp for children with respiratory diseases - providing opportunities for them to get out of the city and into nature. It continued to operate as a holiday camp during the Second World War, when it subsequently transitioned into a residential school for children with health needs.

In the 1970s it became an environmental centre for younger children. In 2014 it gained independent charity status.

As a charity, the Trust operates with the support of grants from Trusts and Foundations and other grants and donations, with volunteering being a significant lifeline - helping to ensure that the grounds and facilities are looked after to enable the team to provide the highest quality outdoor day and residential experiences.

CEO of Paycare, Ant Burns, said: “The Kingswood Trust is an incredible facility that offers individuals and their families the opportunity to experience the beauty of the outdoors in a safe and inspiring environment, and we’re really proud to have been able to play a small part in supporting the wonderful team there (in both blazing sun and drizzly rain!) through our volunteering initiative. As an organisation committed to nurturing the health and wellbeing of our local communities, the Kingswood Trust was a natural fit for us and we very much look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

Rachel Wells, Headteacher and Charity Manager at the Kingswood Trust, said: “We have been delighted to develop such a lasting and positive relationship with Paycare over a number of years. We pride ourselves on providing accessible, nature-connecting opportunities for the whole community, especially those facing hardship. We can only do this with the enthusiasm and support of individuals and teams willing to give back through our volunteer programme.

Our volunteer opportunities are varied and we’d like to think there is something here for everyone. Thank you Paycare for partnering with us and for all your hard work.”

Paycare supports the health and happiness of the UK through a range of Health Cash Plans designed to ease financial pressure and promote a proactive approach to wellbeing, with options available for both individuals and organisations. As a not-for-profit, Paycare invests back into its communities– meaning Policyholders are positively impacting themselves, their families, and wider society too.

Visit www.paycare.org to find out more.