By Hannah Moloney, Together Active
In August, our whole team – 12 members of staff from across the organisation right up to senior leadership – came together for a team building day at Brilliant Bamboo’s parklet in Stoke.
When we began looking for a team day, we knew we wanted something inclusive, outdoors and with a local organisation. That led us to Brilliant Bamboo. Although team days weren’t something they had previously offered, Gemma was so enthusiastic about working with us to shape one together.
The day was split into two main parts: learning about bamboo and its environmental benefits, and building some structures together. We also took part in a unique activity on the site: each of us chose a square metre of land and recorded any objects, plants, or animals we found. This was the first time this had been done on the site, and we discovered some beautifully detailed bits of pottery along the way.
Not everyone on the team is from Stoke-on-Trent, so this was a brilliant opportunity to gain an insight into the area’s history. A couple of team members picked squares near the gates and attracted a lot of interest from passers-by, which reminded us that this is a space the community will use and enjoy.
We learned about different types of bamboo and how valuable it is for the environment. We felt like we were part of something bigger – creating not just something for the community but also for the environment.
None of us knew much about bamboo beforehand, and we weren’t quite sure what we were walking into. But learning about the bamboo on the site, and the hopes for the parklet, made the experience really engaging.
We built a variety of structures together. One was a curved structure that looked very impressive and will be used on site Hyperbolic Paraboloids. Later, we worked together to create a marble-run-style structure. We cut pieces of bamboo and the team carved them so marbles could run down. Although we were split into two teams, we ended up collaborating across the whole group. Using saws and drills isn’t our normal work, but it went brilliantly and was great fun.
The weather was very British – we experienced all different types – but it didn’t dampen our spirits. Some of the team took shelter, while others braved the elements because they were enjoying it so much; it was very atmospheric.
We had a lovely lunch, provided by Bread in Common, with the Brilliant Bamboo team. It was also a fantastic chance to bond, especially as several new people have joined Together Active. The day allowed us to work alongside colleagues we don’t usually collaborate with.
We learned a lot, had a good giggle and really enjoyed ourselves. It was so different from anything we had done before.
We can’t wait to return and see how the parklet is developing – it’s clear that something new will always be happening on the site. We are committed to keeping up the partnership and loved every moment of our time with Brilliant Bamboo.
If you’re looking for a team day, or volunteering with us. We’d love to hear from you, get in touch.