Giving Back – Our Experiences at Hackney City Farm

Supporting the communities around us is a core value that underpins everything we do here at Bluewave, whether it’s delivering technology solutions that help leading charities and large public sector organisations make lives easier for citizens, or rolling up our sleeves to help out in a more hands on way. Recently, we opted for the latter, joining forces with our friends at Salesforce for a volunteering day that was interesting to say the least: a day of volunteering at Hackney City Farm in East London.

This charitable initiative was made possible through Salesforce’s generous Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programme, where Salesforce encourages its employees to take up to seven paid days each year to support the charities and causes that matter to them. This kind of commitment to giving back is one of the reasons we’re so proud to partner with Salesforce, and when the opportunity came up to take part in a day of hard work at one of London’s most unique community organisations, we jumped at the chance.

A Green Haven in the Urban Jungle

Tucked away in the heart of East London, Hackney City Farm is something truly special. For over 35 years, it’s been bringing a touch of the countryside to one of London’s urban boroughs. Whether you’re a primary school teacher looking to educate your students about farm animals, or a HR manager looking for teambuilding (and character building) experiences, the farm offers a taste of rural life without ever leaving the city. Hackney City Farm is more than just a charming collection of animals and vegetable patches, it’s a vital community resource. It teaches children and adults about the importance of sustainability, animal welfare, and growing your own food. It also provides volunteering opportunities and serves as a peaceful, green retreat for locals and visitors alike. It’s a slice of calm in the hustle and bustle of city life – and keeping it running takes a lot of effort.

Getting Stuck In

On the big day, a team of 11 volunteers: nine members of the Financial Services team at Salesforce and two Bluewave representatives – including our Sales Director Paul Mooney – came together to lend a hand at the farm and get stuck in. Tasks for the day included mucking out the animal pens and stables (not the most glamorous job, but essential and appreciated), helping with general maintenance around the farm, and tidying up some of the public areas to make the space even more welcoming for visitors.

“Mucking out sheep pens isn’t exactly what we’re used to in the world of sales, but volunteering at Hackney City Farm was definitely an interesting change of pace. In all honesty though, it was nice to get out of the office and breathe in a bit of fresh air. We’ve hosted events with the FinServ team at Salesforce before and they’re a lovely bunch. We all pitched in, and it was great to see us work together as a team to support such a unique space – right in the heart of London. We definitely earned that pint at the pub afterwards!”  – Sales Director at Bluewave

One of the highlights of the day was spending time with some of the farm’s resident animals – especially the baby goats, who melted the whole team’s hearts instantly. The group also had the chance to learn more about how the farm operates, including how they care for the animals, manage sustainability efforts, and continue to serve the local community year-round. After a rewarding day of work, the team rounded things off with a well-deserved drink at The Marksman Pub, just a short walk away from the farm. Not only was the day a great volunteering opportunity, but a brilliant team building moment too, further strengthening the ties between Bluewave and Salesforce.

Here are some snapshots from our time at Hackney City Farm:

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Supporting Communities

Volunteering alongside Salesforce at Hackney City Farm was a powerful reminder that giving back doesn’t just benefit the recipients, it re-energises and connects us, too. We’d like to thank Hackney City Farm for having us and for the incredible work they do every single day. We’re also grateful to Salesforce for their continued commitment to supporting meaningful causes, and for giving their team the time, space, and encouragement to get involved in important charity initiatives.

This won’t be the last time you’ll see Bluewave getting stuck in. Whether it’s another day on the farm, a local charity, or a national campaign, we’ll always be ready to roll up our sleeves and get involved. If you’d like to know more about the work we do, please get in touch with out experts to find out how we can support your organisation’s digital journey.