Over 1000 employees from across the West Midlands swapped their usual job at work for a day giving something back to their local community and schools recently.
The volunteers from 34 companies, including AF Blakemore, Hadley Industries, Jaguar Land Rover, Lloyds Banking Group, Mondelez International and Morgan Sindall, took part in Give & Gain Day, the only global day of employee volunteering.
Organised by Business in the Community, it encourages thousands of people to spend a working day volunteering for good causes in their local community.
This year the event was set against a backdrop of increasing pressure on young people, schools and communities and had a focus on supporting youth.
Over 650 pupils from 25 schools benefited from the day in the West Midlands, with volunteers focusing on a range of projects to improve young people’s health, fitness and wellbeing.
Challenges that took place include:
- 16 teams of employee volunteers descended on Tipton Sports Academy to host an inter-schools Athletics Meet, a football competition and fun activities ranging from tag rugby, volleyball and Olympic obstacle races to dental health, healthy eating and dressing up for safety.
- 15 teams of volunteers headed to Stoneleigh Park to host Fit for Fun activities for 225 school pupils from schools across Coventry and Warwickshire.
- Volunteers worked on a further 27 practical projects, making environmental improvements to schools, museums and conservation sites located from Stoke-on-Trent to Stratford-on-Avon.
- 50 volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group and GVA repainted dormitories at the Birmingham Federation of Clubs for Young People’s Bilberry Hill activity centre in the Lickey Hills.
- Other Lloyds Bank staff volunteered at Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham, doing Fry-ups and Afternoon tea for resident families, as well as providing ironing service, planting flowers and re-stocking kitchenware.
Jayne Magee, Operations Director for Business in the Community West Midlands, said: “Once again companies in the West Midlands have risen to the challenge. 1000 employees spent the day volunteering in their local communities – 300 more than last year – making this the biggest Give & Gain Day the region has ever seen.”
Jenny Waterman, Deputy Head at Great Bridge Primary School, added her support: “It’s fantastic that we are able to give our pupils the opportunity to take part in such a great day of activities that will teach them about fitness, healthy eating and having fun through sport.
“Interacting with volunteers from local businesses is also important and you can visibly see the impact it had on our youngsters and their views on the companies taking part.”
Volunteers from the West Midlands were in good company supporting Give & Gain Day on Friday, joining an army of over 12,000 volunteers from 300 companies. They collectively spent over 96,000 hours, worth over £1.5 million, helping hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.
Sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group and Society and in association with BT, Give & Gain Day 2013 was dedicated to getting thousands of employees out of the office, store or factory to volunteer in their local communities. By making volunteering fun, accessible and inspirational BITC believes that it is something all businesses should give their staff an opportunity to do in work time.
“One of the best ways businesses can support their local communities is by encouraging employees, customers and suppliers to use their skills and time through volunteering. We are deeply committed to playing an active part in the communities where we live, work and do business. Colleagues across the Lloyds Banking Group volunteer throughout the year, but Give & Gain Day provides the perfect focal point,” explained Paul Turner, Group Community & Sustainable Business Director at Lloyds Banking Group.
Schools and organisations involved in the West Midlands included:
Alexandra High School, Brewood Middle School, Fibbersley Park School, Great Bridge School, Jubilee Park School, Pedmore Technology College, Phoenix Collegiate, St Michaels, St Philips Primary School, St Thomas More, Wallbrook Primary School, Westfield Primary School, Woodgreen Academy (all Black Country)
Heartlands Academy, Park View School, Q3, Shenley Academy, Turves Green Girls & Boys Schools (all Birmingham)
Barr’s Hill School, Campion School, Cardinal Wiseman School, Ernesford Grange School, Sidney Stringer School, Stoke Park School (All Coventry & Warwickshire)
For more information visit: www.giveandgainday.org.uk