eQS team steps up for woodland clean-up

A South Tyneside technology company is supporting employee wellbeing through a community litter-picking initiative inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s upcoming 100th birthday.

Employees at Hebburn-based eQuality Solutions (eQS) have partnered with South Tyneside Council to help clean up Monkton Community Woodland during the first week of May, coinciding with National Walking Month.

The initiative grew from an internal wellbeing challenge launched earlier this year, encouraging staff to complete 22 minutes of daily exercise throughout February to support physical and mental health.

Walking quickly became a popular activity among colleagues at the company’s head office, with teams regularly exploring local green spaces together.

During these walks, staff became increasingly concerned by the amount of litter across the woodland and decided to take action collectively.

What began as a workplace wellbeing programme has since evolved into a wider community-focused effort aimed at protecting local outdoor spaces for residents and wildlife alike.

eQS is encouraging employees from across the business to take part in the clean-up campaign, reinforcing the impact small actions can have when carried out collectively.

Kim Scott, eQuality Solutions’ head of finance, who first suggested the idea, said: “We all grew up watching Sir David Attenborough’s programmes and many of us still do to this day. 

“He has inspired generations to care about the natural world and understand the importance of protecting it. 

“What better time than now, in the week of his birthday and National Walking Month, to take that inspiration and put it into action by helping to clear up our own local nature reserve. 

“These are the spaces we walk through, enjoy and share as a community, so it feels only right that we play our part in looking after them, and hopefully it inspires people to explore and enjoy the reserve more often.” 

The company say that staff are planning to continue their regular wellbeing walks while helping care for the local environment.

Managing director Andy Gough added: “Supporting our employees’ wellbeing is a core priority for us, and initiatives like our wellbeing challenges, which we delivered in partnership with Active Teams, are about more than just physical health; they’re about connection, purpose and shared experiences. 

“Seeing the team take that a step further and turn it into something that benefits the wider community is fantastic. 

“We’re proud to play a small role in looking after the local environment and giving back to the area we’re part of.” 

Nairn Robertson, managing director of Active Teams, added: “Active Teams is all about embracing movement as daily medicine to boost health, enhance mental wellbeing and raise productivity. 

“We are proud to see that one of our challenges has not only inspired positive habits for the eQS team but spurred something new that also benefits nature and the wider community.” 

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