Feature: Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership
A worthwhile contribution that doesn’t cost a penny
types recognise as never before the value to their own organisations, the important contributions made and how their people respond positively. Previously it was acknowledged that big businesses
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would write a cheque for their charity of choice, host a cake sale or coffee morning and then pose for a picture for the local paper. For many, it was little more than a tick box exercise than anything else. But as attitudes towards CSR are progressing, many
organisations of all sizes are looking to engage with relevant local groups to deliver a plan, event or activity that has a mutual benefit for both parties. When businesses establish partnerships with their charity of choice, there are many options available that are valued and valuable without a financial donation. Donating services is a great way to have a collaborative
approach with local organisations. Whatever your business does - from graphic design, web development, or even something like printing – most services will always be warmly received by local and small charities. It allows them to use their time and funds to focus on
their objectives and transforming lives, as opposed to worrying about the costly, but important, functions. Funds available are diminishing and those that are available are tougher to secure given the competition for grants. As a result, there is much more strain for not-for-profit organisations to maintain their offering. Another option is making volunteer hours part of your
company culture. Allow employees a certain amount of time to offer their services to local organisations, which can be their professional expertise or assisting with the work that the charity does. It can be an incredibly valuable asset to charities and creates a real feeling of wellbeing amongst your workforce – which in turn increases motivation and loyalty. It’s no secret that an active workforce is
a healthier, happier and more productive workforce. But as well contributing to a cause, by working with not-for-profit organisations, businesses can use their CSR activities to revitalise and deliver a range of benefits for their workforce. At Goalball UK, we have worked with
Goalball is a team sport designed for the visually impaired ‘Donating services is a
before – and not many people can say that they’ve had a 2.8-pound ball hurled at them while blindfolded. For those that don’t know, goalball is the
great way to have a collaborative approach with local
several businesses across the country to deliver corporate events. When we deliver a session to a workforce, and it’s the same for other sporting corporate events, it’s important to give participants an experience unlike they have probably had
organisations’
only team sport that has been specifically designed for people with a visual impairment and was originally devised as a rehabilitation programme for blind and partially sighted soldiers returning from
World War II. It is played by two teams of three and the objective is to throw the ball past your
opponents into the nine-meter-wide goal. As the sport is played with blackout goggles anyone can
participate, allowing visually impaired and sighted people to
compete on an even playing field. When working with organisations for sporting CSR
activities, many skills can be developed that are essential for today’s organisations to compete in the national or global business arena, including communication, teamwork and leadership skills. But what else goalball delivers is a better understanding of what colleagues, clients, customers or anyone with a visual impairment face daily. It can help to develop a more empathetic workforce, which is incredibly important when businesses engage with a diverse range of customers and stakeholders. Having a company culture that embraces CSR and is
Goalball UK works with many businesses
60 CHAMBERconnect Spring 2019
innovative with its approach delivers several benefits – from improving your professional reputation to building skills and competences to attract new business. Whatever the partnership entails, it should be sustainable for your business and create real benefit for the charity.
By Mark Winder (pictured), Chief Executive Officer at Goalball UK, the charity and national governing body of the Paralympic sport of goalball.
ncreasingly we are seeing an evolution in the way businesses are delivering their corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. Organisations of all
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