Every year, everyone at FuturLab gets two paid volunteer days so they can use their time to support a cause that matters to them. It’s our way of encouraging the team to give back, connect with their communities, and make a difference beyond the studio. Earlier this year, some of our daring devs took their volunteering spirit to new heights - literally! They used one of their volunteer days to skydive for SpecialEffect, raising over £2,200 for the charity in the process.
Last week, our Brighton-based crew got their hands dirty helping out Brighton & Hove City Parks with some coppicing at Stanmer Park. Coppicing is a traditional woodland management method where trees are cut back to a stump, encouraging new shoots to regrow as a sustainable way to care for woodlands.
Brighton Park Ranger, Neil, facilitated the volunteer day. He said:
It was good to see everyone getting stuck in, and it’s always nice to do an activity like coppicing with people who haven’t done it before, it was clear you were all enjoying being at Stanmer and away from the screens for the day. This is the type of conservation work that would not get without the help of groups like yours, so thank you to FuturLab!
After a full day of helping nature thrive, the team wrapped up with a well-earned bonfire. It was a perfect end to a rewarding day outdoors, giving back to the planet in a hands-on, sustainable way.
We’re always exploring new ways to be more sustainable as a studio, so it’s inspiring to see our team use their volunteer days to support environmental and community causes close to home.
Last year, some of our Brighton locals spent their volunteer day doing a beach clean-up, proving that whether it’s skydiving, coppicing, or cleaning up the coastline, our team knows how to make an impact.
I decided to volunteer for coppicing because it’s good to take a break from sitting in front of a computer. Even better if that helps a cause. My favourite part of the day was clearing the path around the fallen tree. We were like some kind of rescue squad! Volunteering brightened the rest of my week and it was great to touch grass... or tree!
Barni Makkay, Programmer
With PowerWash Simulator 2 launching on October 23rd, we’re busier than ever, but it’s moments like these that remind us how important it is to step away from our screens, support good causes, and take care of the world around us.
I decided to volunteer because I wanted to get out in nature and have a break from desks/screens, enjoy some fresh air and physical activity, all while doing something good for the environment! My favourite part of the day was the sense of teamwork and seeing the before and after; having that visual acknowledgment of the progress we made was really rewarding! It was so rewarding and therapeutic, a needed break from usual work and really nice to feel like I made a positive difference with the work we did.”
Hannah Fisher, QA Tester