How 6 MOOsters used their volunteering hours to give back

At MOO, we’re big believers in using creativity for good. Whether it’s through thoughtful design, exceptional customer service, or giving back to our communities, we’re committed to doing business in a way that reflects our values.

One of the ways we bring that to life? Every MOO employee receives dedicated volunteering hours each year. That means time—on the clock—to contribute to causes they care about.

Whether it’s cooking for people experiencing homelessness, cheering on cancer survivors, or planting community gardens, our people have been putting their hours to meaningful use. Here are just a few stories from the MOOsters making a difference.

From Bracken battles to biodiversity

Our Head of Sustainability, Luke Landers, spent his volunteering day at Mousehold Heath in Norwich, UK, joining a team from The Conservation Volunteers to help restore local heathland. Armed with pitchforks (and biscuits), they cleared invasive bracken to make space for native heather to thrive—an essential plant for supporting biodiversity.

“I’d never given bracken a second thought, but it can really take over. Clearing it felt like small-scale work with big environmental impact.”

The removed bracken was repurposed into wildlife piles, creating new habitats while breaking down naturally. Luke’s already looking ahead to next year’s volunteering day, hoping for another hands-on, outdoors project where he can see the results grow over time.

Helping hands and hearty meals 

Our Sales Manager, Tom Moore, volunteered at a local kitchen that turns surplus produce—often considered “unusable” by retailers—into nutritious vegan meals for people in need across London.

The day was full of action: chopping vegetables, baking cookies, portioning soup into takeaway containers, and helping the kitchen organize storage for incoming donations. What struck Tom most wasn’t just the scale of the operation—it was the huge demand behind it.

“Seeing the absolutely enormous pots in the kitchen was eye-opening. It really hit home just how many people rely on this service every day.”

As a self-declared “volunteering consultant,” Tom encourages other teams at MOO to get involved—and even helps others find opportunities that work for their group.

Singing with purpose

Alice Webster from our HR team volunteers regularly with The Choir with No Name, a choir for people affected by homelessness. For her volunteering day, she helped at the organization’s biggest event of the year: the *Christmas gig at Cadogan Hall.

Her day was spent supporting choir members—some of whom arrived carrying everything they owned. From helping backstage, organizing meals, and rehearsing songs, to cheering during the performance, Alice was part of something deeply moving.

“It’s a privilege to help create a space where people feel safe, heard, and joyful—if only for a few hours.”

Alice reflects that her volunteering feeds into her work in HR, helping her stay connected to what really matters: listening, empathy, and community.

*Watch this space – the choir’s Christmas gig tickets go on sale in September!

Sharing culture, one dish at a time

Riam Dualeh from our people team used her volunteering hours to support Migrateful, a charity that empowers refugees and asylum seekers through the power of cooking. Drawn in by the mission—and her own Somali roots, where food and hosting are cultural cornerstones—Riam volunteered at a Palestinian cooking class in Farringdon.

She helped prep the kitchen, set up stations, supported guests during the session, and—by choice—took charge of the washing up. The experience was led by Dr Amna, a former mental health specialist from Palestine, who now uses food as a way to share her heritage.

“These aren’t just recipes—they’re family traditions, stories, and a way to connect across cultures.”

After cooking, everyone sat down to enjoy a communal meal. For Riam, it was more than just volunteering—it was a joyful, meaningful exchange of culture, support, and shared humanity.

Leading the charge for Cancer Research 

Tara Holland from our e-commerce team travelled across the UK volunteering as a lead event manager for Cancer Research UK, supporting their flagship fundraisers: Race for Life and Pretty Muddy.

Over five weekends, she worked on everything from setup and team coordination to de-rigging event sites. Her favorite moment? Cheering people on at the finish line.

“Listening to participants share who they were running for—parents, siblings, friends—it made it all feel incredibly personal and powerful.”

Tara left each event with new leadership experience, stronger communication skills, and the satisfaction of knowing she played a part in raising millions for life-saving research.

Gardening with gratitude

Meighan Christensen from our prepress team spent her volunteering day with the University of Rhode Island’s Master Gardeners. She joined fellow MOOsters at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol, helping to restore a large hosta garden so residents could enjoy the space again.

“Some of us had never gardened before, but with gloves, smiles, and teamwork we completely transformed the area.”

The experience left the group proud, connected, and keen to return. Looking ahead, Meighan hopes to use her next volunteering day for a shoreline cleanup with Save the Bay.

Giving back, getting more

Every MOOster has their own reason for volunteering. Some want to give back to causes close to their heart. Others want to connect with their community in a new way. But what they all share is the sense that volunteering gives back far more than it takes.

That’s why we make volunteering a part of the MOO experience—because supporting our people means supporting their passions, too.

Want to work somewhere that supports giving back?

At MOO, we’re proud to offer time, resources, and support for our team to make a difference outside the office. Volunteering is just one of the ways we live our values every day.

If you’re looking for a company that believes in doing well by doing good, take a look at our open roles.