The managers came together from 3M sites around the UK for a two-day conference at the company’s Bracknell head office in July – with the first day dedicated to working in the community.

Among those to benefit was Kennel Lane School in Bracknell, where some volunteers were busy painting inside the school hall while others toiled outside clearing an area of waste ground.

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.

“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 find out what they do.”

Bohunt Wokingham School has a nature/wildlife area that it’s hoping to develop and a 3M team prepared the ground to get it ready for the new term starting in September.

Other teams completed decorating tasks at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell and garden maintenance at the six-acre Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare project.

Another team of volunteers travelled to work in the gardens at The Bluebells in North Waltham, Basingstoke, which provides a retreat for seriously-ill children and their families. Chief operating officer of Sebastian’s Action Trust, 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!”

Among this team was 3M communications leader, Nicole Pritchard. She commented: “The Bluebells is a truly inspirational place and provides some wonderful facilities, such as a hydro pool, movie room and sensory gardens, for children who are seriously ill to enjoy with their families.

“It was really moving to hear about the difficulties these families face and the difference a break can make to them and I’m proud that we were able to do our little bit to help.”

3M runs a national volunteer scheme – 3Mgives – which provides every full-time employee with the opportunity to carry out a day’s work in the community on paid company time.

John Klee of 3M commented: “Our 3Mgives days are very popular with employees and the good causes that benefit from the work the volunteers do. A good-sized team of people can really make a difference in getting a project completed.”

Watch a video of the action on YouTube