Team Building on the Water
The Restore team on the water
At Restore, we often talk about the importance of community, relationships and creating spaces where people feel valued, supported and seen. While much of that happens through our projects and with the people we serve, we know it also begins with us.
Recently, the Restore team swapped desks and meetings for something a little different… a day aboard a canal barge!
It was an opportunity to spend time together away from our usual routines, enjoy the beautiful Northamptonshire waterways, share plenty of laughter, and invest in something that's just as important as the work we do every day: our team.
A Few Bumps Along the Way!
Of course, no barge adventure would be complete without a few memorable moments! There may have been one or two gentle encounters between the barge and the canal bank, thanks to some enthusiastic steering from our skippers.. We won't mention any names... cough Ruk cough. Thankfully, everyone (and the barge!) survived to tell the tale, and it certainly provided plenty of laughs for the rest of us!
Good Food and Great Conversations
We moored up at a lovely canalside pub for lunch, where alongside enjoying good food, we also held our regular Headline Updates. This is a chance for the team to share important news, celebrate successes, discuss current projects and keep one another informed about what's happening across Restore. It reminded us that some of our best conversations don't always happen in the office.
Building a Strong Team Culture
At the beginning of this year, our staff team took time to reflect on the kind of culture we want to continue building at Restore. We recognised that the way we care for and support one another behind the scenes has a direct impact on how we serve our community. Together, we've committed to creating a workplace where trust, kindness, respect, collaboration and healthy balance are at the heart of everything we do.
That doesn't mean we're perfect, but it does mean we're intentional about encouraging one another, valuing each person's strengths and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. When we invest in each other, we're better equipped to serve others, and our day on the barge was a wonderful example of that culture in action.
More Than Just a Team Social
Our day on the canal wasn't simply about steering a boat (with varying degrees of success!), sharing lunch or enjoying the sunshine, as team building isn't just about having fun (although there was plenty of that!); it's about strengthening the relationships that enable us to work well together and serve our community with compassion, dignity and purpose.
We're incredibly grateful for such a fantastic team and look forward to many more opportunities to learn, grow and occasionally perfect our barge-steering skills together!
