COLLEAGUES READY FOR VOLUNTEERING ROLE

We are delighted to have further demonstrated our commitment to supporting local communities by offering each of our colleagues a paid volunteering day.

All colleagues operating in our 75 branches and Support Centre will be given the opportunity to lend support to a community or charity project while still being paid.

It means more than 20,000 hours will be donated to allow our colleagues to support projects close to their hearts on a normal working day in 2024.

Sally Kerr, HR Director, said: “As a business, we have always been committed to supporting the local communities in which we operate and this initiative is another step on our sustainability strategy around community and our people.

“We know that many colleagues would love to engage in active volunteering but are restricted by time.

“Launching this corporate volunteering programme will give colleagues the chance to give back to a project or organisation but within the structure of a routine working day.

“Colleagues will be free to make their own choice on which organisation they would like to volunteer for, and we will offer support and assistance to colleagues who are keen to engage with the programme but maybe struggling to identify an opportunity.

“We are extremely proud to be offering this scheme and look forward to seeing our colleagues playing their part in improving local charities and community organisations.”

We have a proud tradition of supporting charities and communities across the UK.

Over the last two years, we have raised more than £400,000 for our nominated charity Cancer Research UK.

In addition, we donate £12,000 – in building materials and donations - to good causes through our Community Heroes campaign each year.