Giving Something Back

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Health & Social Care

Look Ahead Care, Support & Housing

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The charity offers 24-hour counselling support via the employee assistance programme and trauma counselling for staff impacted by incidents at work. Mental health first aid training is supplied. Staff have one-to-one sessions or supervision and the organisation is looking to make working practices even more flexible.

Look Ahead offers Rising Star and Women in Leadership awards each year to anyone who demonstrates passion, commitment and ambition, and wants to study for a development qualification not covered by its training programme. The winner is awarded per award up to £5,000 towards the qualification.

In January, Look Ahead started a Serenity Cafe in Kent to support women and children fleeing domestic abuse. The cafe is open to all community members and offers healthy-living workshops, alongside advice on financial wellbeing. In May, it started dance and movement sessions for customers with learning-disabilities in east London.

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Recruitment

MCG Group

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The MCG Group introduced 2 new monthly newsletters. The first from the CEO "A note from Colm", sharing people highlights, updates and sector performance plus initiatives it is driving that link to its overall vision, purpose, mission and strategy. The second from the COO Grant named "The Central Scoop", updating employees on core Central Services.

All team members have been given reusable face coverings made from upcycled marine litter, as part of the MCG Group's commitment to National Geographic's Planet or Plastic pledge to prevent a billion plastic items from reaching the ocean. Even the logos on the masks use ink from recycled cartridges.

Every employee receives an annual appraisal during which they are asked to give feedback on their manager’s performance. In addition, sales staff have quarterly review meetings focused on financials which feed into a defined reporting process which flows directly into sector review meetings and subsequently group board meetings.

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Law

Morton Fraser LLP

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Learning Lounge, the firm's e-learning platform, is available to staff. It also runs an extensive programme of in-person training, covering topics such as business development, intergenerational working, time management and personal effectiveness, client services and presentation skills. Staff are also encouraged to undertake secondments to broaden their outlook.

Action for Children is this year's chosen charity and staff raised more than £2,000 by taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk, just one of the charity events planned during the year. The firm also runs volunteering days, which include gardening and beach cleans. Some staff volunteer with MCR Pathways, mentoring young people.

The firm has conducted several listening exercises over the past 18 months. In response to feedback it has reviewed its pay structure and benefits package. It increased its investment in salaries, improved maternity pay and introduced paid paternity leave and private medical cover for the whole workforce. It also raised pension contributions.

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

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

Energize Group

Eton Bridge Partners

Everton Football Club

Gearset

Home Instead

Kent Union

Leathwaite

Look Ahead Care, Support & Housing

MCG Group

Morton Fraser LLP

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