Experiential learning and team development through community social impact 

As part of a commitment to empower its staff through experiential learning, a leading global investment management firm completed four Splash Projects this autumn/winter in the UK, India, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Headquartered in London, with offices plotted around Europe and Asia, Qube Research & Technologies’ (QRT) executives know that making Corporate Social Responsibility a core part of their business strategy sets them apart from those who don’t. 

They also know that employees who have a sense of purpose are more motivated, which ultimately leads to higher performing teams – and a far greater return on investment. 

The projects (outlined below) involved participants building much-needed timber infrastructure to improve the lives of countless disadvantaged young people including disabled children, ostracised young pregnant women, and children rescued from prostitution. 

The lives of the participants were also changed, not only through experiencing social impact firsthand, but through the learning objectives they were challenged to consider throughout their project, focusing on real world problem solving, teamwork, leadership and communication. 

The Splash Projects 

Mumbai 

A team of 15 was given a day to build planters and a long communal table within an attractive shelter for vulnerable children being cared for by the Salvation Army’s Aruna Children’s Centre. 

Sapna Khetwani, Office Manager at QRT Mumbai, said:

“We’re always thinking about how we can give back to our community, but we have such busy work schedules, so this project was the perfect way to achieve this.” 

Daniel Raju Dasari, Territorial Commander for the Salvation Army, added:

“All our children come from vulnerable families or situations. This area will give them the chance to come outside in the shade and play, which will be so valuable to their wellbeing”

Singapore 

“Although small in stature, the impact of this garden will be huge.”

This is how Splash Project Manager Kenny Turk summed up the project which involved 20 participants in one day.  

The team constructed a rooftop garden and shaded seating area at AWWA School which supports children with autism and multiple disabilities. 

The tropical rain didn’t dampen resolve, evidencing how motivated the participants were, with one participant saying:

“We’ve experienced all sorts of challenges; teamwork, communication, wrong screws, wrong measurements! But the camaraderie has got us through.” 

Angelina Foo, a teacher at the school said:

“The garden will be accessible to all our children and will include a gazebo with planters for herbs and flowers. The children will be able to say ‘I planted this garden myself’, giving them a sense of accomplishment.” 

“We couldn’t do this on our own so this partnership between us, QRT and Splash Projects is beautiful,” added Angie Chen, Vice Principle. 

Hong Kong 

Neglect, family breakdowns and losing parents at a young age are some of the reasons which lead to unplanned teenage pregnancies in Hong Kong according to the city’s charity, Mothers’ Choice. 

Lily Ng, a charity director, explained:

“We offer pregnant young women a safe loving, non-judgmental space to call home, to support them through whatever choices they make.” 

Despite the charity’s remarkable impact, the need for its services is growing in the city as sex education among teens continues to be so limited. For more than three decades the charity has supported 54,500+ under 25-year-olds through a crisis pregnancy. 

We gave 25 participants a day to build an outdoor sanctuary including tables and chairs, a covered seating area and planters, to promote relaxation among the young residents. 

Phyllis Marwah, charity Co-founder, described the new facility as “a gift.”

And charity Director, Lily Ng, said: “This will help us give hope to the girls and change life stories.” 

London 

The playgrounds run by children’s disability charity, KIDS, aren’t your average playgrounds. They provide safe and accessible, fun and exploratory spaces for disabled young people and their siblings to enjoy. 

Over two days we worked with 150 staff at the charity’s Hackney Adventure Playground who built a host of new play structures including a boardwalk, stepping logs, balance beams, a bug hotel, sand pits, seating and a treehouse, vastly improving the facilities for the children. 

Monique McGoey-Rabone, Corporate Partnerships Manager at KIDS, explained why the playground was so important.

“A lot of mainstream playgrounds say they’re accessible to all, but unfortunately the reality is that many aren’t. Our children have high level needs and require specialist facilities, and our playgrounds enable them to enjoy the whole space.” 

Splash Project Manager Tim Poole, told participants at the beginning of the day:

“Your motivators are the children, their families and the staff.” 

One participant, Ian, said:

“It was challenging – the work was very intricate at times!”

With fellow participant, Ed, adding:

“You could see how significant the structures were and how much the children would enjoy them.”