Ridgeons’ Link Scheme volunteers lauded

Independent East Anglian timber and builders’ merchant Ridgeons held a lunch to celebrate the work of the Ridgeons Link Scheme volunteers, who help the company to stay in touch with retired employees.

The event, hosted by Ridgeons’ director Gordon Ridgeon, brought together the scheme’s key members to thank them for their unwavering hard work and support.

Established in 1982, the Ridgeons Link Scheme helps the company to stay in touch with retired employees, or those who are on long-term sick leave.

A network of eight Link people, all former employees, ensure that regular contact is made with over 250 retired staff and their widows and widowers, either by telephone or visits.

Ridgeon, said: “We are extremely grateful for the valuable role that the Link people play in making sure the group maintains its associations with former employees and their families. Many of Ridgeons’ employees have dedicated a good proportion of their working lives to the group for which we are indebted, and as a company we believe it is our duty of care to honour this commitment by staying in touch and generally looking out for our colleagues’ wellbeing.”

At the lunch, a special mention was made to Link Scheme volunteer John Saunders, who was handing over the volunteering reins after 13 years of assisting with the scheme. Saunders, former manager at CRS Wholesale, was presented with a commemorative glass bowl as a token of the group’s appreciation for his many years of Link Scheme support.

Ridgeons’ executive director Tony Greavett, who has worked for Ridgeons for over 40 years, will take over the role.