This organisation has a strong social conscience
Every member of staff at Business in the Community can have up to two paid days
a year to volunteer, in addition to any volunteering activities they take part
in with their team. The company have supported Corelli School in Greenwich,
through staff volunteers (e.g. 3 staff volunteers and a Business Connector
supported their Arts festival). Business in the Community offer work experience
placements to students in schools local to their offices e.g in London, they
work with Hackney's EBP, "Inspire" to offer placements to students
who would not otherwise have the opportunity to work in a similar organisation.
Across Business in the Community they have a number of staff who volunteer as
job coaches for their Ready for Work programme, which involves providing weekly
coaching to individuals who face significant barriers to work and helping them
to find employment. This takes place within work hours and often within the
company offices. Staff also volunteer to help facilitate Ready for Work
training, such as interview skills. Each regional office has its own programme
of initiatives, usually team volunteering challenges, but also other approaches
that support local community organisations. The Northern Ireland team, for instance,
share volunteering opportunities with their Charity of the Year, Nexus so that
clients (survivors of sexual abuse) have the opportunity to build confidence
and workplace skills. The company finance team volunteered with at a community
garden and the head office supports local projects with collections including
Project Shoebox to provide toiletries for women arriving in refuges over
Christmas.