An initiative from Essex & Suffolk Water that has supported hundreds of charities and community groups 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.
Essex & Suffolk 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.
“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 teams of employees who spent three weeks in September removing litter from beaches stretching from Thorpe Bay in Essex, through Lowestoft in Suffolk, to Gorleston in Norfolk, protecting marine life and keeping coastlines beautiful.
Other employees took part in the Big Essex Charity Walk, walking 26.2 miles from Grays to Southend, raising funds and awareness for two charities, Blind in Business and Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, as part of Thurrock Council’s Magic Fall campaign.
Organisations who would like to request support from Essex & Suffolk Water, should visit www.nwg.co.uk/justanhour.
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28.11.2025
