An initiative from Northumbrian Water that has supported hundreds of charities and community groups across the North East has been recognised on the national stage.
The water company’s Just an Hour scheme won Best Community Initiative at the Corporate Comms Awards 2025 in London.
It’s a scheme which allows employees to volunteer for causes close to their hearts during working hours, making a difference to charities and community organisations across the region.
In the past year alone, 1,871 colleagues gave their time to more than 700 charitable causes, from food banks and allotments to youth clubs and animal shelters.
Northumbrian Water was up against strong competition in the form of Punch Pubs & Co for their Eden Project, and Rentokil’s 100 Acts of Kindness for the award, which celebrates projects that bring communities together and create lasting positive change.
Vicky Cairns, Partnerships Consultant at Northumbrian Water who helps coordinate Just an Hour activity, said: “We’re really proud of the different ways in which we give back to good causes, whether that’s through in-kind donations, community grants, colleague sponsorship or our volunteering programme, Just an Hour.
“Winning this award is the icing on the cake for us, reflecting our passion for supporting our communities and the positive difference we make in them, and we’re proud of each and every colleague who’s played their part.”
Some recent volunteering highlights include Tunstall Allotments in Sunderland, where teams helped with clearing plant beds that grow fresh produce for the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen.
In September, more than 200 employees spent three weeks removing litter from beaches stretching from Saltburn to Seahouses, protecting marine life and keeping coastlines beautiful.
And more recently the company’s Executive Leadership Team created festive arts and crafts with members at Haswell & District Mencap, to raise funds for the charity’s Christmas event.
Organisations who would like to request support from Northumbrian Water, should visit www.nwg.co.uk/justanhour.