SENIOR science managers switched the lab coats and microscopes for paint brushes and garden tools on a volunteering day. 

Sixty senior staff from technology company 3M came from sites across the UK to the Bracknell head office for a two day conference.

The first was spent working in the community and saw the business bods visit Kennel Lane School where they painted the hall and cleaned an area outside.

Victoria Wilkins, the school’s Key Stage 5 leader, said: “Before 3M came today this ground was unusable. It’s all been cleared now. We’re going to use it for our horticultural programme.

Bracknell News:

The 3M team of gardeners ground-clearing at Kennel Lane School

“It’s really important for businesses to come and get involved with Kennel Lane School. We get our learners to meet them and they get to chat about different local businesses and what businesses do.”

Elsewhere, 3M staff helped Bohunt Wokingham School prepare some ground for a wildlife area, decorate South Hill Park Arts Centre and maintained gardens at the six-acre Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare.

One team also travelled to work in the gardens at The Bluebells in North Waltham, Basingstoke, which provides respite care for the families of seriously-ill children.

Chief operating officer Peter Boon said: “It’s fantastic. They got through a lot of work in one day that otherwise would have taken us a month to do.”