Giving Back Through Practical Action

Published: September 2026

Recently, Dave Worrall, Eman Fareed, Lucy Pettit, and I spent the day working alongside Adrian Matthews and his team to clear a garage that had become completely overwhelmed with belongings to the extent that it would spill out the door once opened.

We worked our way through everything carefully, separating what could be reused from what needed to be recycled. The reusable items were taken to various charity shops, while the rest was delivered to the recycling centre.

There was plenty of lifting, sorting and teamwork involved, but seeing the space gradually become usable again made every bit of effort worthwhile. More importantly, it was a practical way to support people in our local community at a time when that help can make a genuine difference.

The day was arranged in support of Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign, a local charity that works with other organisations to welcome and support refugees and asylum-seekers. You can find out more about the charity, its work and ways to get involved at Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign.

Days like this are a good reminder that community support does not always have to be complicated. Giving some time, sharing the workload and helping with a practical task can have an immediate impact.

A big thank you to Dave, Eman, Lucy, Adrian and his team for making the day such a positive and productive one. We finished tired, but with a clear garage, useful items on their way to a new home and the satisfaction of having done something worthwhile together.

A few hours of practical help can create space, reduce waste and support people locally. That feels like a day well spent.