International Day of Charity: Making a Difference Through Giving Back

International Day of Charity: Making a Difference Through Giving Back

 

September 5th is the International Day of Charity, a day created by the United Nations General Assembly that provides an opportunity to recognise the difference that charitable organisations, communities, and individuals can make in the lives of others. 

 

For Solarport, giving back is about more than a single day in the calendar. So far in 2026, our team has found a variety of ways to support our environmental and social commitments here and around the world.  

 

As we mark this year’s International Day of Charity, we’re looking at some of what we’ve been up to. 

Supporting Nature in West Dorset 

As a Dorset-based business, our connection to the local community and environment matters to us.  

 

Earlier this year, we were proud to announce our partnership with West Dorset Wilding, a local landowner and farmer-led charity working to restore nature, improve biodiversity and help communities reconnect with the environment.  

 

The partnership reflects our belief that sustainability extends beyond the renewable energy infrastructure we manufacture. It also means supporting the landscapes, ecosystems and communities around them.  

 

We’re looking forward to continuing to support their work through some exciting volunteering opportunities that WDW have planned. 

RNLI Raft Race 

We usually build things that stay firmly on land, but every July, the Solarport team swap solid ground for open water at the Bridport RNLI Raft Race. 

 

The team put their creativity, teamwork and raft-building skills to the test, and for the second year in a row, came away as the winners!  

 

While the competitive side made for a memorable day for those on and off the raft, the real purpose was to support the RNLI and the incredible work its volunteers carry out to keep people safe at sea and around our coastline – a fantastic example of how fundraising can bring people together. 

Supporting Energy Resilience in Ukraine 

Our charitable partnerships have also taken us beyond our local community.  

 

This year, we launched a new partnership with RePower Ukraine, an organisation working to strengthen energy resilience in communities affected by the war in Ukraine.  

 

RePower Ukraine uses renewable energy, battery storage and energy-efficient technologies to keep essential services running despite disruption to the electricity grid. 

 

As part of our partnership, Solarport has made a charitable donation to support RePower Ukraine’s work. We’re also exploring how our own people can contribute their professional skills through our Volunteering Time Off programme. 

 

For us, this partnership demonstrates how renewable energy can contribute to something much bigger than generating electricity, helping communities become more resilient and supporting essential services when they are needed most. 

Giving Our Employees Time to Give Back 

One of the most important parts of our approach to charity is recognising that giving back isn’t always about making a financial contribution. 

 

Our Volunteering Time Off programme gives members of the Solarport team the opportunity to use working hours to support causes and organisations that are important to them.

This has included community support projects, The Dorset Bee and Nature Buzz, and Inspiring the Future, as well as colleagues volunteering as judges for Primary Engineer competitions. 

 

These opportunities allow our employees to contribute their time, skills and experience in different ways, from supporting people in our local communities to helping inspire the next generation of engineers. 

2026 So Far 

With four months of the year still to go, this is by no means a full list of everything our team will get involved with during 2026. But it is a snapshot of some of the ways we’ve been able to give back so far.  

 

International Day of Charity is a reminder that giving back can take many forms. It can be financial support, volunteering your time, sharing your professional expertise, inspiring others or simply getting involved in your local community. 

 

And as we head into the final months of the year, we’re looking forward to continuing to find new ways for Solarport and our people to make a positive contribution.