Porterbrook’s volunteering scheme promotes community engagement
It’s important for Porterbrook that our staff and operations support and benefit the local communities around our sites in Derby, London and Long Marston, and our colleagues aren’t shy about getting involved either.
We offer paid volunteering leave for our colleagues to get out into the community and support a variety of charities and initiatives. On top of this, all colleagues that use their leave are entered into a draw to win £500 for their chosen charity, and they can apply for the Porterbrook Pound for Pound Scheme through which the company can match their fundraising total up to an agreed amount.
2022’s draw winners chose to donate to the charities they volunteered with, these were:
Platform 1
A mental health crisis support charity. This charity was chosen after two of our colleagues, Stuart and Tony, went to make repairs on a pacer we donated to the charity. The unit has been upgraded and is to be used as a new training room. Stuart explained that it will play a vital role in getting people back on their feet, and they would both love to help out again.
Hope for Belper
A food bank local to our Derby office. As part of a team of five from Porterbrook, Charlotte prepared and served Christmas lunch to people who use the food bank regularly, as well as the volunteers who are there all year-round. Since volunteering with Hope for Belper, Charlotte has found a food hub in her local area to volunteer with on Saturdays. Charlotte’s efforts are a prime example of how empowering staff to act as change agents can have lasting benefits to communities.
We are incredibly proud of all of our colleagues for the volunteering work they have put in this past year.