Setting the standard
Volunteering England launched a new standard to improve employer supported volunteering programmes on June 8. Investing in Volunteers for Employers aims to encourage best practice among employers wishing to offer volunteering programmes to their workers. Independent assessors will work with Volunteering England’s volunteer programme team to “benchmark and guide” businesses’ volunteering operations and a dedicated website has been set up to provide employers with guidance on the subject. Objectives of the standard are to: increase the number of employee volunteers; review how ESV initiatives can complement business values and objectives; and promote the commitment to volunteering of various organisations. Contact Cathy McBain, Volunteering England 020 7520 8959 www.volunteering.org
Community cashback
DIY retailer Homebase launched Community Cashback, a scheme to support staff fundraising on May 22. The scheme is available to all employees who have been with the company for at least a year. It makes donations for one-off events staff have chosen to participate in, such as sponsored walks and treks to raise funds for UK registered charities. The size of the donation depends on the amount of money the employee has raised. The scheme aims to encourage staff who are supporting personal charitable causes as well individuals taking on challenges to benefit the company’s corporate charity partner. Contact Kate Smith, Homebase 0845 120 4365 www.homebase.co.uk
Encouraging news
The Vodafone UK Foundation Community Awards 2006 were launched on June 26. The Foundation is inviting charities and community organisations to nominate Vodafone employees who support them and win donations for their cause. The independently judged awards, run in conjunction with the Charities Aid Foundation, are designed to recognise the contribution made by Vodafone employees to communities across the UK. Every charity that makes a nomination wins an entry donation of £50 or £100, with the chance of receiving further award donations for winning entries for the ten categories.
Meanwhile Barclays recognised the contributions of its employees around the world in the areas of community, equality and diversity, through its 2006 Chairman’s Awards. This year there were a record 320 nominations, including 72 from outside the UK – three times as many as last year. Contact Vodafone 020 7403 2230 www.vodafone.com Michael O’’Toole, Barclays 020 7116 6137 www.barclays.com
Moving gesture
A London student with a severe muscle wasting condition now has a new powered wheelchair, thanks to a joint effort between employees at Prudential Property Investment Managers and Action for Kids, a national disability charity. PruPIM staff teamed up to raise funds through the company’s partnership with Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, which were topped up with a grant from Action for Kids. Contact Anna Clarkson, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign 020 7819 1813 www.muscular-dystrophy.org
in brief
Staff at British Energy have chosen Help the Hospices as their charity of the year for 2006-7. Contact Martyn Butlin, British Energy 01524 863 565 www.british-energy.com
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