Volunteers roll up their sleeves to help Saffron Walden school farm

It was all hands-on deck as a team from London Stansted rolled up their sleeves to help transform the Agricultural Science Unit (ASU) at Saffron Walden County High School.

The group, made up of colleagues from the airport’s Corporate Social Responsibility team, spent the day clearing the foundations of two old greenhouses, digging out and removing heavy concrete blocks, and transporting them to a skip.

They also gave the school’s outdoor classroom a fresh coat of paint, and even found time to meet some of the resident animals, including Loki, a Royal Python.

Dan Turpin, London Stansted’s Community Engagement Manager, said:

"It was a fantastic day of teamwork and community spirit. The Agricultural Science Unit is such a valuable and unique resource for the students, so we were thrilled to be able to support the team in getting it ready for future use. At Stansted, we’re committed to playing an active role in our community, and days like this really show the positive impact we can have."

The unit is used by students across a range of subjects and year groups. Esther Blakey from the ASU, said:

"We’re so grateful to the team from Stansted Airport for giving up their time to help us. Their efforts have made a real difference, and the refreshed outdoor space will be a great asset for our students and staff."

 Emma Welch, who works in the airspace team and was one of the volunteers on the day, added:

"It was such a rewarding experience. We worked hard but had a lot of laughs too. It was great to get out of the usual airport environment and do something hands-on to help others."

The volunteering day was part of London Stansted’s wider community outreach programme, which supports schools, charities, and local organisations through volunteering, donations, and education initiatives. Employees at MAG Stansted are encouraged to offer their skills and time on a voluntary basis to strengthen ties in the communities where they live and work.

The airport is always keen to hear from organisations, charities, and schools who need help with a project. Enquiries can be sent to community@stanstedairport.com, and the team will assess what help can be offered, depending on the nature of the project and staff availability.