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At Gregory, we talk a lot about developing people, building confidence and making a positive difference. For some colleagues, that does not stop at our own depots or even within the UK.

Earlier this year, Steve Rose, our Group Learning and Development Manager, took that mindset halfway across the world. Combining Gregory volunteering leave with personal holiday, Steve travelled with his wife Emma to Busua, a rural community in Ghana, to support a local primary school.

What he experienced there has stayed with him and is now driving a wider effort to make a lasting impact.

A different kind of classroom

Steve spent two weeks working in a local school, supporting children aged 9 to 11 in Class P4. The plan was simple: help build confidence and improve spoken English through practical interaction.

But the reality they were met with quickly reshaped that plan. In Busua, access to basic learning materials is not guaranteed. Many children do not have their own textbooks. Instead, lessons often involve copying content word-for-word from a limited number of shared books. That creates a very different learning environment.

Large parts of each lesson are spent writing rather than understanding. Children wait for each other to catch up, which slows progress and makes it harder to maintain focus. The pace of learning is dictated not by ability, but by access to resources.

As Steve saw first-hand, something as simple as a textbook can completely change how a class learns. If every child has one, the whole class can engage at the same time. Without them, even the most enthusiastic learners are held back.

Building confidence beyond the curriculum

Despite these challenges, what stood out to Steve was the attitude of the children. They were engaged, curious and eager to learn. Through his time in the classroom, he built strong relationships, often stepping in to lead lessons across a range of topics.

The impact was not just academic. By spending time speaking, listening and encouraging participation, Steve helped students grow in confidence, particularly in using English in a practical way. These are skills that can shape opportunities far beyond the classroom.

He also shared his professional expertise with teachers, delivering a session focused on communication, including active listening and bridging generational gaps. These are areas Gregory has invested heavily in internally, and it was a chance to pass that knowledge on in a completely different setting.

As Steve later reflected, even a small amount of time can make a big difference, and there is as much to learn as there is to give.

From experience to action

The visit did not end when Steve returned home. The experience highlighted a clear and immediate need: access to basic resources.

Many children come to school without proper clothing or shoes, and essential items such as pens, notebooks and bags are not guaranteed. Even with education officially free in Ghana, families are still expected to cover these everyday costs, which creates real barriers to learning.

Textbooks are one of the biggest challenges. Without them, children cannot fully participate. With them, the entire dynamic of the classroom changes. That is why Steve has focused his fundraising efforts on providing textbooks for Class P4 first, costing around £5 per book. Their aim is simple: to make sure every child in that class has the tools they need to learn effectively.

With additional funds, they plan to expand into other subjects such as science, maths and social studies, helping to build a more complete learning environment over time.

Volunteering at Gregory

Stories like this matter, not just because of the impact they create externally, but because of what they say about the people behind them.

At Gregory, we actively encourage colleagues to take volunteering days and support causes that matter to them. It is part of how we invest in people and help them grow, not just professionally but personally too. Steve’s experience brings that to life.

It shows the kind of leadership we want to develop in our people. Leadership that is grounded in empathy, curiosity and a willingness to step outside of comfort zones.

For anyone thinking about joining Gregory in learning and development, this is what the role can look like in practice. It is not just about training programmes or internal development frameworks. It is about understanding people, building confidence and creating opportunities, wherever that might be.

Looking ahead

The fundraising is ongoing, and the need remains significant. Every donation helps provide clothing, equipment and textbooks for children who are determined to learn, despite the barriers in front of them.

For Steve this is not a one-off effort. It is the start of a longer-term commitment to a community that has made a lasting impression. And for Gregory, it is another example of how our people are making a real-world impact, not just within our business, but far beyond it.

To make a donation to support the education of the children of Busua, click here: https://gofund.me/c70c0ac01