A team of volunteers at Bank Julius Baer have dedicated time and skills to The Accidental Zoo and built a new enclosure, including climbing frames, for their goats.
Julius Baer in Guernsey allows its employees some volunteer allowance days each year to make a contribution to charity and 15 members of the team spent their time building a new home for The Accidental Zoo’s herd of goats.
The Accidental Zoo cares for the island’s animal life while educating locals through hands-on activity to enhance quality of life. Spurred by the belief that outdoor learning and active participation in the community has significant benefits on health & wellbeing, the charity has delivered an interactive experience for islanders since 2019.
Julius Baer’s community focus areas of youth, education, health and wellness, the arts and conservation aligned well with The Accidental Zoo’s ethos, and staff used their working hours as volunteer days to complete the enclosure.
Charlotte Le Guilcher, Co-Founder of The Accidental Zoo, said: “We’re incredibly thankful for Julius Baer’s involvement and practical assistance in creating a lovely new area for our goats.
“They were at the Zoo in all weathers to ensure they progressed Project Goat as quickly as possible, and I know the goats will love their amazing new home.”
Derek Beatty, executive director – portfolio manager at Julius Baer in Guernsey, said: “The Accidental Zoo represents a unique and wonderful investment in the wellbeing of our community as a whole and we were proud to help build a new home for some of its most-popular residents.
“It has been fulfilling for our staff to work outside the office on a project which will have a positive impact on so many people. The experience was an enriching opportunity for collaboration between people who do not usually get to work together, strengthening our own bonds as well as creating a much nicer environment for the goats.”
The success of the new goat enclosure was celebrated at a small barbecue for 60 of the bank’s employees and their families.
