Caring and volunteering

In the Netherlands, a special feature of the celebrations to mark the IJmuiden plant’s 90th anniversary in 2008 was a ‘Hartenactie’ (‘campaign from the heart’) to thank the local community, of which our business has been an integral part for so long. Teams of employees helped local mentally and physically disabled people by tending their gardens and taking them on outings. Many employees have continued these activities since the celebrations.

Employees around the UK joined in the annual Comic Relief national charity event, raising over £4,000 (US$5,720) through a variety of inventive and sometimes slightly eccentric fundraising efforts.

In South Yorkshire, a new partnership with the Titans Community Foundation is benefiting thousands of youngsters in the Rotherham area. As well as making a financial contribution of £10,000 (US $14,300) to the programme, in which rugby players listen to youngsters read, we give employees time off work to help youngsters improve their reading skills. Each year, we challenge our graduates in South Yorkshire to offer their skills in support of the community.  In 2008, the project transformed a school’s drama studio into a facility for the whole community.

Through our Corus Ambassador Awards scheme, employees who volunteer in the community are able to apply for funding to support their chosen initiative, and awards totalling more than £9,500 (US$13,585) were made in the year under review.