Zest’s Charity of the Year

Each year at Zest we ask our colleagues to nominate charities to become our charity of the year. This year we’ve chosen Leatherhead Youth Project.

Following the success of our fundraising in 2017 for the Rainbow Trust, we are really looking forward to hosting a variety of activities to raise money throughout 2018. From Cake sales to pub quizzes and some more daring activities, we’ll be looking to improve on our total of £1,848 from last year!

“We’re passionate about creating a positive, altruistic culture at Zest. Every year we encourage our employees to come together to raise money for a good cause. This year, it’s great to see all our efforts going into the local community.” – Ray Sieber, Managing Director.

Introducing Leatherhead Youth Project

The Leatherhead Youth Project (LYP), are a charity who focus on helping young people. Offering innovative services across Leatherhead, Bookham and Mole Valley. They work to respond to local needs, helping young people to be safe, happy and make positive changes in their lives.

LYP provide a diverse range of projects and activities. Their work includes counselling & mentoring, one to one support at schools, evening youth clubs, international trips, outdoor adventures and much more.

LYP also run a social enterprise, the All Saints Café. Where LYP members can work to gain an apprenticeship in customer service. We particularly love this project and not just because of the great range of cakes and coffees on offer!

Why we’re supporting LYP

With our HQ based in Leatherhead Surrey, we all enjoy our local town and surrounding area. We’re proud to be a part of the community where we work. From lunchtime walks along the River Mole to having a few cheeky drinks at the local pubs, we love to immerse ourselves in all the Leatherhead has to offer. Which is why we want to give back to our local community.

“LYP offers a fantastic development opportunity for the next generation in Leatherhead. Encouraging them to aspire to achieve more, learn new skills and create a more positive environment in which we live and work in. We’re proud to help contribute towards their work.” – Emma Cussell, Product Manager

What’s been happening?

Last week our Product and Marketing team held our first charity week of 2018 which had a ‘health and wellbeing’ theme in aid of LYP. The week was filled with a selection of activities that help bring about a healthier, more mindful working environment.

The week kicked off with smoothie making. Encouraging everyone at Zest to choose healthier snacks, and to get their seven-a-day. Continuing with activities such as bowling, a guided lunch time walk and mindfulness with colouring. Take a look at some of the great entries our colleagues submitted for our colouring competition!

Did you know?

Colouring has been proven to have the therapeutic potential to reduce anxiety, create focus or bring about more mindfulness. Research in 2005 proved anxiety levels dropped when individuals coloured mandalas.

Rounding off the first event of the New Year

The charity week was rounded off with Zest employees testing their mental power with a brain training quiz. Combining a mix of traditional pub quiz rounds with some challenging brain training questions.

After a few heated and very competitive rounds only one team could be crowned winners. A massive congratulations to our IT team who managed to trump everyone else with a massive high score!

So far we’ve raised a total of £127. Keep an eye out each month to see what we’re getting up to.