Giving Something Back

Recruitment

Leathwaite

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With charitable work at the heart of the firm, Leathwaite continue to host a range of charitable and community initiatives such as the firm's 'Going the Distance' initiative and 'Run in the Dark" event held in November, to raise funds and awareness for their charity partner, Hope and Homes for Children.

Leathwaite's "Future Leaders" programme is aimed at those believed to have the potential to be future leaders of the business, working directly with the chair and current senior leaders to develop and articulate their leadership philosophy. Keen to place more of a focus on managerial development, the organisation is redefining its programme of training.

As part of the firms annual appraisal sessions, employees are given the opportunity to discuss their development needs in great detail with their managers and what would be most appropriate in order for them to reach their next level of growth. All employees are also provided with access to a range of training materials.

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Education & Training

Kent Union

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A bespoke management-development programme includes eight one-day modules covering topics such as performance management, leadership, recruitment, self-understanding and customer service.

The union aims to support women within the organisation. It will make senior leaders accountable for addressing the barrier to women’s progression, encourage them to role-model inclusive behaviour, promote the fact that part-time working and job-sharing is available and train line managers on how to provide feedback and support those with high potential.

Waterless urinals have been installed in the student nightclub and taps that provide instant boiling or chilled water are used in some of the union's premises. Waste paper is donated to the nursery. It has hosted 'Go Green' days, and a farmers' market-style event, where local markets are invited to encourage students to shop locally.

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Health & Social Care

Home Instead

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The online Home Instead Academy allows employees to upskill on a range of topics including diversity and inclusion, and how to communicate effectively. Each new joiner has five days of training with franchise owners and there is funding available for external coaching. The company also offers a four-week exchange programme with the US office.

The company's Home Instead Charities UK arm has a mission to reduce loneliness and isolation in the UK’s ageing population. In 2021 the organisation distributed over £50,000 for 55 community groups benefiting more than 22,000 ageing adults, with activities including memory cafes, singing groups for people with dementia, art classes and yoga sessions.

Bringing teams together was a vital part of Home Instead's focus in 2021, not least for the several new recruits that joined the team. A 'collaboration week' was held by the company, filled with team building exercises, social events and strategic business updates - something the organisation plans to continue on a regular basis.

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Technology

Gearset

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At Gearset's virtual tearoom — a continuous video call — staff can join at any time. Channels on the communication app Slack are dedicated to departments, teams, projects and shared hobbies. Last year, the company staged a summer party for staff and their families. Meanwhile, there are drink-and-learn events and beers on Fridays.

Feedback from staff shows that the improved methods of communicating organisational clarity used over the past 18 months have been welcomed because employees feel more connected to what Gearset is trying to achieve. A week-long company strategy event enabled cross-team collaboration and the chance to share.

For the annual Christmas Jumper Day, Gearset supported Shirtforce, by buying jumpers from the company for staff and raising more than £500 for charity. The company also took part in the Cambridge Half Marathon to aid two local charities, Romsey Mill, which helps disadvantage children and families, and homeless charity Jimmy's Night Shelter.

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Leisure & Hospitality

Everton Football Club

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Social wellbeing is vitally important at Everton and staff are given the chance to get together through staff networks. The club has invested in a new social interaction tool, Your Everton, which connects staff across the different sites.

Staff who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the club's values are nominated by colleagues for the NSNO (Nil Satis Nisi Optimum) staff awards. Staff networks and project groups focus on making positive change and shaping what the club does. The organisation says: "Keeping our people central to that gives them a stake in what we do."

Everton is leading the charge for equity and inclusion within the football and sports sector and corporate business operations through its 'All Together Now' campaign. The Club has partnered with initiatives such as Liverpool Against Racism, Women In Football and the Rainbow Toffees, its LGBTQ+ supporters' group.

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Recruitment

Eton Bridge Partners

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Eton Bridge's wellbeing team, which was launched two years ago, has driven a range of initiatives. Eight social clubs have been set up, including those for HIIT training, cycling, recipe sharing, walking and a book club. It has also hosted group conversations around mental health and sponsored three mental health first-aiders.

Walkie-talkie meetings, which were set up during the pandemic, have continued, as the company found that they enhanced its culture and the wellbeing of staff. It has also increased the number of team-building days. One team took part in dragon boat racing on the Thames.

Last year, a team used one of their charity days to transform the overgrown sensory garden at the Riverside Children’s Centre, in Maidenhead. They worked hard to turn it into an area that could be enjoyed by the families using the centre's services.

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Recruitment

Energize Group

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Energize continued to hire in 2020 and also ran five new starter programmes, two advanced courses, two senior leadership programmes and two future leader programmes. Other development opportunities included a mental health first aid course, external sales training, webinars and new modules such as creating a positive mindset.

To maintain high levels of morale, Energize organised virtual social events including quizzes, awards and the annual charity auction. A focus on fitness led to activities including the Energize Olympics, virtual yoga sessions, Wellbeing Wednesday and a company-wide activity based charity fundraising challenge.

In 2020 Energize partnered with Reach Out Mentoring, a charity that gives young people from disadvantaged backgrounds weekly 1-2-1 support from a volunteer mentor. In addition to committing to providing volunteers the firm also raised almost £7,000 through a range of fundraising activities.

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Marketing & Media Agencies

Cyber-Duck

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Cyber-Duck supports Goods for Good, a Hertfordshire charity that sends goods donated by businesses and individuals to vulnerable communities around the world. Its services have been needed more than ever, in Afghanistan and Ukraine, and Cyber-Duck donated technology and set up digital platforms for the charity. Staff also helped with packing goods and ran fundraisers.

Staff can meet up at the Duck and Crisp virtual pub and there's space for team chat during quizzes. Leaders run weekly team meetings to share project status, trends, techniques and have a catch-up. A Meeting Owl camera swivels around to film meetings and bridge the gap between staff at home and in the office.

The company is developing Cyber-Duck Academies, in both of the open-source technologies it specialises in, Laravel and Drupal. Research and development time is set aside during working hours to give the company's developers cutting-edge, challenging work and community recognition.

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Accountancy

Creaseys

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The Creaseys' team chose the Good Neighbour Project as its charity partner. The project supports vulnerable and isolated people in its community. As part of this, the firm organised an afternoon tea for the charity's clients and their befrienders, and donated money it would have spent on a Christmas tree to the charity.

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is of paramount importance to Creaseys. The firm insist that every team member has a wellbeing objective to ensure a work/life balance that’s right for them, and the wellbeing team have organised various activities for the team, from breakfast treats to yoga classes and a bring-your-dog-to-work day.

Best practice and the best approach to team development is discussed in bi-weekly team leader meetings facilitated by the People Department. Managers can ask for specific support from their peers on how to tackle specific issues within their own groups as well as attend training workshops specific topics.

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Consultancy

Clarasys

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An online peer reward system allows employees to recognise and reward each other with a monetary prize. This is scaled from a small amount for a thank you to a larger one for exceptional work. Each award has to correspond with one of the company’s values.

A new online learning platform lets employees take control of their own development. It allows them to learn anytime, anywhere with access to courses and other materials. On top of a £100 a year personal learning allowance, consultants can access more funding to achieve their specific career goals.

The company aims for 1000 volunteer days a year, with staff choosing how many they would like to do. Graduate training includes pro bono work for the business’s charities. All employees are encouraged to use their work-related skills in the help they offer.

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What are companies doing with regards to 'Giving Something Back'

What effect will focus on the 'Giving Something Back' factor have?

Leathwaite

Kent Union

Home Instead

Gearset

Everton Football Club

Eton Bridge Partners

Energize Group

Cyber-Duck

Creaseys

Clarasys

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