Brightstars’ Community Action Projects are underway! Our second volunteers have been out in the community at our local animal sanctuary, lending their time & support for the benefit of others. This is all part of our Groups’ ESG Plan – and a development from Mental Health Awareness Week 2025. In these reports, Steve Burch, Shelley Knight and Maisy Stephens share their insights into their day of volunteering.
Steve Burch, Group Head of Risk and Governance/Insurance
“What a tiring yet rewarding day I had volunteering at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary. I am seriously in awe of the hard work the Team and volunteers do there to support the animals they have rescued and taken into their care.
A special thank you to Izzy who was so patient with me whilst I struggled to do what she made look very easy. It was great to be up close with so many animals; pigs, geese, cows, goats, horses, llama’s, turkeys, cats, and sheep to name just a few of the animals in Hopefield’s care.
I hope my efforts were useful in some small way to such a worthy project.”
Shelley Knight, Group Head of Data Analytics and Reporting
“A HOT day at Hopefield.
I have recently volunteered with my colleagues Steve Burch and Maisy Stephens as part of the Brightstar Group Community Project.
On a boiling hot June Day, we spent the day at Hopefield animal Sanctuary in Essex. We encountered horses, pigs, alpacas, sheep (and a lamb), goats, ducks, geese, rabbits, cows…
All the people who worked/volunteered at Hopefield were friendly. The girl who was looking after us for the day was so nice (and patient with all our questions!)
It was hard work, so if people volunteer here, they shouldn’t expect an easy day just feeding and cuddling animals!
It was great to be out of the office ‘making a difference’.”
Maisy Stephens, Case Manager
“We spent the day at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary assisting staff in animal care and management. In the morning, we fed a variety of different animals and cleaned their enclosures as well as this we observed a vet treat an animal and provide a treatment plan. The afternoon was spent sorting through food donations from the public, so that the animals had some treats and variety to their diets. Before we left, we rounded up all the animals and tucked them in for the night in their homes.”
