csr

Some 20 million people volunteered in the UK in 2017/2018, according to our partner, the NCVO, with almost four in ten people doing so formally. That means that companies place more importance than ever on engaging with their employees through sourcing opportunities for them to volunteer. Employees, equally, have never been more interested in giving back to their communities.

Your employees are volunteering for unique charities that spark their interest, but their volunteer hours might be going overlooked. Are your employees communicating their volunteering outside of the office?

In an industry survey, 88 per cent of millennial employees said they feel more loyal to a company that helps them contribute to social and environmental issues. Young workers are willing to receive pay cuts for increased CSR activities, but does philanthropy belong in the office? 

Does your new spring jacket match your sustainable values? Only 6 per cent of procurement leaders claims their supply chains are entirely transparent, according to the Business Continuity Institute, and the garment and textiles industry particularly fails to be transparent in the wake of a fast fashion crisis.

You spend the majority of your waking hours working. As an employee, you should be feeling purposeful at the office or at least have a decadent cup of coffee available.

Stakeholders and customers no longer want to hear your business’s sustainable initiatives. They expect sustainability to be already at the center of your business model.

Recruiters are searching for creative, new talent, and aspiring workers are looking for employers keen on community engagement and sustainable innovations. Millennials are attracted to corporate social responsibility, and CSR is often a key topic during the hiring process.

One of the features of the life of Blackfriars Settlement is the frequent visits by individuals or teams of volunteers; fulfilling the widest array of activities imaginable. I want to record our most grateful thanks to all those from our Corporate Sponsors who have given their time, imagination and commitment to support our work.