Somerset accountants find balance in the great outdoors at ARK at Egwood
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Staff from Somerset accountancy firm Lentells swapped office life for the great outdoors last week, spending two days volunteering at ARK at Egwood - a land-based community organisation near Merriott that supports mental health and wellbeing through nature-based activities.
Across Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th October, teams from Lentells rolled up their sleeves to take on a range of tasks across the site, from flower picking and weeding to general maintenance and animal care. The group helped tidy the tennis court and car park, worked in the flower beds, and spent time looking after the site’s goats, pigs and chickens.
Lunch was provided by ARK, freshly prepared using homegrown produce, giving volunteers a taste of the self-sufficient, sustainable ethos that lies at the heart of the project.
Nigel Bell, CEO and director of business development at ARK, said: “Everyone at ARK loved welcoming the volunteer teams from Lentells for two whole days, where, due to their hard work, enthusiasm and respect for the ARK environment and people, they helped us to get many jobs off our list, whilst also having a lot of fun.
“We look forward to working together again in the future.”
Lentells described the experience as a fantastic opportunity to give back to a space that brings real value to the local community. “We lent a hand with a number of tasks, from flower picking and weeding to general site maintenance and even a bit of animal care,” the firm said in a statement. “It was a fantastic opportunity to support a space that brings so much value to the local community. A huge thank you to the team at ARK for welcoming us - we’re already looking forward to returning in the spring.”
The volunteering days form part of Lentells’ wider commitment to community engagement and employee wellbeing. By stepping away from spreadsheets for a short time, staff were able to enjoy the benefits of teamwork, fresh air and a shared sense of purpose.
ARK at Egwood offers therapeutic and educational opportunities through a wide range of rural and land-based activities. The charity provides a safe, inclusive environment where people of all ages and abilities can build confidence, develop practical skills and connect with nature.
For the accountancy team, the two days offered not just a change of scenery but a reminder of how volunteering can strengthen both communities and workplace wellbeing.
( Photos: ARK at Egwood / Facebook 📸 )