ESTATE agent ACJ Properties is giving each of their staff a paid day off this year to volunteer in the local community.

The company began by asking for ideas via Facebook and Twitter and received lots of suggestions from the public about who they might be able to help.

So far, ACJ have helped Llandough Primary School with some exterior painting, volunteered at the British Red Cross Shop and tackled some gardening and groundwork at Children's Hospice, Ty Hafan in Sully.

Managing director, Sarah Plumley said: “We are proud to work with local community organisations. We fundraise for some larger, national charities on an annual basis but in particular, we find that supporting the local community is very rewarding as the results are so visible and significant.

"Our staff also love taking part in these initiatives and helping to make a difference”.

Haydn Jones, associate director of Estates and Facilities at Ty Hafan said: “We are constantly seeking ways to deliver savings against our precious resources, and the support of volunteers from various companies goes a long way to assisting us in undertaking work that would otherwise cost us money via contractors etc.

"We appreciate that lots of companies are committed to delivering Corporate and Social Responsibility and to hold volunteer days is a great way for us all to receive mutual benefit. We are always happy to host volunteers with a mix of any skillset.

"It was a pleasure to host staff from ACJ Properties, who not only worked extremely hard on the day, but did so with a smile on their faces.”

Gemma Sawyer at the British Red Cross on Windsor Road said: “It was great to have staff from ACJ to help us for the day to give them an idea of the daily life at the Red Cross. We love supporting local shops and businesses around us and being part of a great community.

"If you are thinking of volunteering, please pop in to our shop on Stanwell Road and have a chat with us."

Anyone who has any suggestions for ACJ for their next volunteering session, or would like to keep up to date with their journey, you can follow them on facebook or twitter, or sign up for email updates on their website acjproperties.com