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In 2012, as part of a ‘Community First’ commitment, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society became a member of local charity Leicestershire Cares. Ten years later, numerous schools, community groups and charities have benefited from the time, skills and resources of the Society and its staff – and the partnership is as strong as ever.
The Society introduced the Community First scheme over 18 years ago, giving all colleagues up to three days’ paid leave per year to help community organisations of their choosing. As Leicestershire Cares puts ‘member’ businesses in touch with local people, community groups and organisations that are in need of help, the partnership made perfect sense.
The Society’s valuable and long-standing relationship with the charity has given staff the opportunity to volunteer their time, offering much-needed assistance to organisations and community groups on initiatives they may otherwise have struggled to fund or undertake.
Colin Fyfe, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society’s Chief Executive, said:
“As a mutual organisation, our purpose is to give back to the community, and the work we do with Leicestershire Cares is a prime example of how our staff embody our values. Over the years, the Society has been involved with projects in local schools, on community allotments, nature reserves, charities for the disabled such as Mencap and Leonard Cheshire, and centres for children and families’ wellbeing such as Sure Start.
“I’d like to give a special thanks to Leicestershire Cares and its team for providing us with all these wonderful opportunities which enrich the culture at the Society and benefit local people.”
Early in the partnership, Society staff got involved with Leicestershire Cares’ educational projects, something that continues to this day. The ‘Number Partners’ project sees volunteers visit local primary schools to play maths-based games with pupils who need support to gain confidence with both maths and participation. Society volunteers can also work with secondary schools through the ‘Go for Reading’ initiative where staff work one-to-one with pupils on their reading skills.
In addition, the Society is involved in the award-winning ‘Interview Technique’ sessions. Volunteers attend secondary schools throughout the county taking part in mock interviews to help school leavers develop their communication skills in readiness for further education or the world of work.
On the Society’s volunteers, Kieran Breen, Leicestershire Cares’ Chief Executive, said:
“Hinckley & Rugby Building Society’s staff have shown time and time again they are really committed to making a difference to the community.
“Across our programmes, they have always carried out work with humour, goodwill and an eagerness to learn and share. They really are the living embodiment of a firm that is systemically serious about giving back to the community.”
In September 2021, the Society received recognition for its contribution to the charity when it received four trophies at Leicestershire Cares’ annual awards ceremony. The Society took home the accolades for Company of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Work with NEET Young People, Outstanding Contribution to Interview Technique, and Education Volunteer of the Year.
Hinckley & Rugby Building Society looks forward to many more years of working with Leicestershire Cares to benefit the lives of residents and organisations within the communities it serves.
Find out more about the partnership between Leicestershire Cares and Hinckley & Rugby Building Society online.
