Croydon Commitment Impact Report 2019
Our full report on the impact we had, in partnership with our Business Partners and supporters, in Croydon and on the local community in 2019
Prepared by: Croydon Commitment Document Name: CCImpact2019 Impact Report 2019 1 CROYDON COMMITMENT 2019 HIGHLIGHTS In 2019, our business partners contributed over 4,000 volunteering hours under our five pillars: Education, Employment, Environment, Social Inclusion, and Health & Well-being
58 activities engaging 54 students had mock with the elderly interviews to prepare them population and veterans for the employment process 124 Croydon residents booked onto our Business Open Door Month events
1,571 hours of thought leadership
500 hampers packed and delivered to the most elderly, isolated residents of Croydon
134 acres of parks, woodland, 32 Lunchtime Literacy allotments and outdoor activity sessions delivered for centre were covered through primary school our Sustainability Team students Challenges
Over 150kg of toilet ries collected for Impact Report 2019 individuals living in 2 hygiene poverty
Contents
Patron’s Letter 4 Who we are 5 What we do 5 Chair’s Letter 6 Our Programme 7 Education 8 Employment 10 Environment 11 Social Inclusion 12 Health and Wellbeing 14 Grassroots Awards 15 15th Anniversary 16 Fundraising 17 Our Business Partners 19 Message from CEO 20 Thank You to Our Supporters 21 In-Kind Support 22 Organisations we have supported in 2019 23 Our Board and Team 24
Impact Report 2019 3 Patron’s Letter
Impact Report 2019 4 Who we are
Croydon Commitment is a well-established charity, founded in 2004 to help Croydon businesses achieve the best value and impact from business Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to benefit local people and the environment.
We work with businesses to enhance the quality and value of their community investment through planned programmes of employee engagement, partnerships and community activity to meet local need, boost CSR achievement and capitalise on the opportunities of a changing borough. What we do
Croydon Commitment was established to:
• Broker strong and sustainable relationships across Croydon through a programme of focused community activity that complements and enhances borough-wide activity
• Involve businesses in activities that promote social inclusion through raising aspiration and educational attainment opportunities, helping local people to access employment opportunities from Croydon’s development and regeneration and in programmes that promote health, wellbeing and environmental improvements in the borough
• Help businesses develop and implement strong and sustainable local community investment plans, complementing an authentic CSR approach and ensuring that the benefits of Croydon’s regeneration and growth reach local people
• Provide on-going learning and improvement in community investment and CSR best practice
• Inspire employees and other stakeholders to engage with a community investment programmes
• Communicate the positive impact of these activities in Croydon and across media channels
Impact Report 2019 5 Chair’s Letter
As Chair of Croydon Commitment, I have seen first-hand the impact that the charity has on our local community.
If you have worked in Croydon as long as I have you will remember the series of fundraising events driven by Janine and the Croydon Commitment Board. Over a four year period from 2008-2011 over £400,000 was raised in part to set up the Endowment Fund which allocates grants to grassroots organisations in Croydon.
The legacy of this fund continues to make a real impact in the community. Last year, 14 community groups and charities working at a real grassroots level - often without paid staff - received both financial and in-kind support. Croydon Commitment 15th Birthday party celebrated Croydon Commitment's achievements but also demonstrated the real impact and legacy the charity has had by the volume of community groups and charities who attended.
There would not be a Croydon Commitment without the support of Croydon businesses. White Label, the company I run, celebrates its 10th birthday in 2020. As a business, we have taken this opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved over the last 10 years and our own impact on the Croydon community. As part of our own business operations, we are ensuring that every one of our employees is gifted 10 hours to spend on CSR work in Croydon. As a business we are committed to giving back to the Croydon community, I would encourage any business to ensure Corporate Social Responsibility is at the heart of their business operations. Recruitment and Retention of staff is a priority for any business big or small. The fact that 64% of millennials won't take a job at a company that doesn't have strong social responsibility practices, combined with the fact that by 2025 millennials will make up 3/4 of the workplace, means that having a CSR strategy is essential to any business. If you are a business in Croydon and would like to find out more about Corporate Social Responsibility please get in touch with team and come to one of our business breakfasts.
Katharine Glass Chair of Trustees
Impact Report 2019 6 Our Programme
Our Corporate Social Responsibility programme has been developed to offer a range of different ways for businesses to make a tangible difference in the local community, and to address the issues of deprivation and inequality in Croydon.
The programme addresses five key areas of need in the borough, which form our five pillars; Education, Employment, Environment, Social Inclusion, and Health & Wellbeing. These five pillars our aligned to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
We delivered a wide range of projects under each pillar in 2019:
Education: Lunchtime Literacy, Mock Interviews, STEM Workshops, Confidence and Employability Workshops
Employment: Business Open Door Month
Environment: Sustainability Team Challenges
Social Inclusion: Veterans’ Remembrance Tea, Inter-generational Events, Croydon Christmas Appeal
Health & Wellbeing: HIV and AIDS Awareness Workshop, Self Care and Mental Health at Work Seminar
Impact Report 2019 7
Education
SDGs targeted: 4, 10, 11
Lunchtime Literacy
Lunchtime Literacy is aimed at improving children’s reading skills. Volunteers give up a lunchtime a week to visit a local school, and hear the children read and discuss a book. Employee volunteers are asked to commit to the programme for at least two terms so that the child they are paired with has a constant reading partner.
Case Study: Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald employees have been participating in the Lunchtime Literacy programme at Elmwood School since February 2018. The sessions restarted in January 2019, with 20 volunteers committing to reading with students every week, giving a total of 244 hours. Lead volunteers Bryan Applegath and Kerry Meah also provided support in coordinating their colleagues each week, ensuring their were enough volunteers for each session.
Confidence and Employability Workshops
Confidence and Employability workshops are run in partnership with employee volunteers and deliver a session that aims to instil confidence in young people and raise their aspirations. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the qualities and skills needed for the workplace and benefit from first hand interactions with business people from a wide variety of occupations.
Case Study: Waitrose
In October, Croydon Commitment hosted a Confidence and Employability workshop for residents of the Caridon Foundation. Volunteers, including Waitrose’s Stuart Guthrie, helped facilitate the workshop, giving advice and interview tips to the residents, to help them gain a better understanding of the employment process.
STEM Workshops
Given the inequality in numbers between men and women in STEM roles, efforts are now being made to redress this imbalance. Workshops can combat stereotypes about what it means to work in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics roles.
Impact Report 2019 8
Case Study: Croydon Partnership
In April, employee volunteers from Croydon Partnership hosted a group of female students from St Mary’s High School for a STEM workshop. The day included a number of activities designed to inspire students about STEM careers, as well as learn about the roles that exist within retail management. Students were also given a tour of the shopping centre and management suite.
Mock Interviews
As part of Croydon Commitment’s Education programme, we organise Mock Interview Days at local secondary schools, to help build students’ confidence and give an insight into the employment process. Interview experience is invaluable to young people as many students go into their first interviews with little idea of what to expect and without the chance to practice beforehand. By helping these young people, employees make a real difference to their chances of success and a positive impact on their futures.
Case Study: Mott MacDonald
In February, four volunteers from Mott MacDonald went to Archbishop Tenison’s C of E School for a Mock Interview Day. They interviewed Year 10 and 11 students, giving them immediate feedback, including suggestions on how to improve their interview skills and CV writing tips. The feedback from the students was fantastic, with many of them recounting how helpful they found their mock interviews, and how friendly and reassuring the interviewers had been.
Feedback from students:
“It was very helpful. I’ve learnt to build my confidence. I enjoyed all the tips I was given to be prepared for a real interview. I’ve learnt how and when to prepare for a real interview next time.”
“I was nervous going in, but my interview was so beneficial and I really enjoyed it.”
“I think my interview went very well surprisingly. She was a very nice lady and I managed to answer all the questions well. She gave me advice on how to improve for my real interview.”
Impact Report 2019 9
Employment
SDGs targeted: 8, 10, 11
Business Open Door Month
Croydon Commitment’s Business Open Door Month helps to inspire young people, giving them an opportunity to step inside the doors of local businesses and realise the opportunities that are in their community. It provides businesses with a unique opportunity to engage with the local community and meet talented students and young people. In 2019, we expanded our Business Open Door event to a whole month, engaging with a range of businesses across Croydon including: Allianz Partners, Croydon University Hospital, Hilton, Mott MacDonald, New Horizon Counselling, Sarah Jones MP, Sussex Innovation Centre, The Business Xchange Hub, and Waitrose.
Case Study: New Horizon Counselling
New Horizon Counselling launched our Business Open Door Month in October 2019. Tom Smithson held a talk for a group of Health and Social Care students from a local college. The talk covered working in mental health, setting up your own business, and the challenges and the rewards of his work. The students were really engaged, asked some great questions, and gave
Case Study: Croydon University Hospital
Croydon University Hospital hosted 30 local students for their Business Open Door Month event. The students were given an insight into healthcare in Croydon, and an overview of the huge range of careers that the NHS has to offer.
Impact Report 2019 10
Environment
SDGs targeted: 11
Sustainability Team Challenges
Sustainability Team Challenges offer businesses a chance to make an immediate, tangible difference to the Croydon environment. Teams of employees visit locations around Croydon, from community spaces to scout camps, taking on a whole host of challenges to improve appearance and functionality. Furthermore, the team challenges are fun, practical activities, that provide an opportunity for team building, and for businesses and their employees to feel part of the fabric of the community.
In 2019, we ran these challenges over 134 acres of land, with business employees giving 727 hours of volunteering at locations inlcuding Stanley Halls, Bensham Manor, Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre, Pinewood Scout Centre and Good Food Matters. Teams painted, planted, cleared, and built raised flowerbeds and even a ferret run!
Case Study: John Whitgift Foundation
For years, Trinity School - one of the John Whitgift Foundation’s schools - has sent groups of students to complete Sustainability Team Challenges. In March and September 2019, students from Trinity engaged in challenges at Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre, Pinewood Scout Centre, Stanley Halls and Good Food Matters, clearing, building a bonfire and helping to improve the natural environment.
Volunteering time:
March - 46 volunteers for a total of 276 hours September - 40 volunteers for a total of 240 hours
Impact Report 2019 11
Social Inclusion
SDGs targeted: 5, 10, 11
Veterans’ Remembrance Tea
At Croydon Commitment, we value the contribution of our country’s veterans. We want to ensure their service does not go unappreciated in the local community, but we also want to tackle the issue of loneliness amongst older people. We have held a number of events in the past in honour of our veterans. In November, Croydon Commitment hosted a Veterans’ Remembrance Tea to celebrate the service of Croydon’s veteran population, as well as bringing elderly guests together to help combat social isolation. Our business partners supported the event, providing sponsorship of the afternoon tea, prizes for the raffle, and attending the event themselves.
Case Study: Signal Brewery
We held our Veterans’ Remembrance Tea on Monday 18th November at the Hilton Hotel. Charlie Luckin from Signal Brewery attended the event, supporting the Croydon Commitment team in hosting our veteran guests. Signal Brewery also provided 2 cases of lager as a prize for the raffle.
Feedback from guests:
“I would like to send our thanks for thinking of us at Morven House and inviting Tony and myself to the Veterans Afternoon Event on Monday 18th November. Tony and I really enjoyed the tea and he was thrilled that he got the chance to chat to other members of the forces. We appreciate all the hard work that goes into organising these events and so please send our thanks to the other team members in making this a successful event.”
“Just to say thank you for all your efforts and that of all those associated with the event. Another outstanding success.”
“Thank you so much to everyone who had anything to do with the arranging of the tea party on Monday at the Hilton Hotel. It was most enjoyable and people could not have been kinder. It was so kind of you to invite us. Thanks again to everyone.”
Impact Report 2019 12 Inter-generational Events
In 2019, Croydon Commitment, in partnership with the Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation, hosted a series of inter-generational events, aimed at improving cohesion between students and the oldest generation, and allowing elderly guests to share their stories. The first of these events was held at Croydon College and residents of Croydon over the age of 80 were invited to share their stories with students for an oral history podcast. The feedback from the event was very positive - one of our guests was utterly thrilled to hear her husband (who suffers from dementia) talk so openly and at length to a student about his life. In October, elderly people from the Croydon BME Forum were invited to John Ruskin College for the second event, to coincide with Black History Month, and in December, the Asian Resource Centre brought guests to the Ludoquist Cafe in Croydon to play board games and share pizzas and stories with students from Archbishop Tenision’s C of E School.
Croydon Christmas Appeal
Last year, the Croydon Christmas Appeal tackled three key social issues; homelessness, loneliness and isolation, and hygiene poverty, working in partnership with Croydon Neighbourhood Care Association, The Hygiene Bank, Beauty Banks and Crisis. Since 2005, we have collected a range of Christmas treats to fill hampers for the most elderly, isolated residents of Croydon. In 2019 we also collected toiletries and beauty products for those individuals living in hygiene poverty, as well as warm clothes and blankets for Croydon’s homeless population.
Case Study: Allianz Partners
Every year, Croydon Commitment, in partnership with Croydon Neighbourhood Care Association, pack and deliver 500 hampers to the oldest, most isolated members of the community. In December, four volunteers from Allianz assisted with the packing of these hampers, as well as bringing along donations of food collected by their company.
Feedback from hamper recipient:
“I came home last night to find a bag bulging with Christmas goodies and I just wanted to say a very sincere thank you. I am very grateful and shall enjoy the contents over Christmas. It is such a kind thought especially as I am feeling bereft without my husband. You have lifted my spirits and I wish you all the blessings of Christmas and a very happy 2020.”
Impact Report 2019 13
Health and Wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing Workshops
Croydon Commitment offers members the opportunity to hold workshops and talks to promote Health and Wellbeing the workplace and in the wider community.
Case Study: New Horizon Counselling
In partnership with Croydon Commitment, our partner New Horizon Counselling offers workshops and seminars covering health and wellbeing to businesses employees in Croydon. In 2019, New Horizon Counselling’s Tom Smithson delivered two events; in February, business members attended the HIV and AIDS Awareness Workshop covering the history of HIV and addressing the stigma around the virus, and in June, we hosted guests for a Self Care and Mental Health at Work Seminar, which tackled issues around mental health at work and tips on self care.
Impact Report 2019 14 Grassroots Awards
Since 2011 more than 50 unique projects have received over £165,000 in funding from the Grassroots Awards and have also been able to access in-kind support from Croydon Commitment’s business partners. In celebration of Croydon Commitment’s 15th year, the Grassroots Fund, in partnership with Croydon Voluntary Action, awarded over £36,000 to 14 Croydon based charities and community groups.
Our winners in 2019 were: Bright Futures 4 All, Croydon Refugee Day Centre, Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, Esther Community Enterprise, FSE Group, Stroke Action, Studio Upstairs, The Friends of Park Hill Park, The Hive, Turkish Youth and Community Association, Waggy Tails Club, We-Stap, Westbury Community Project, and Willow Learning for Life.
All applicants to the Grassroots Awards were also offered a programme of in-kind support. This has included promotion on social media and our website, first access to in-kind donations from our business partners including televisions, printers and furniture, and support in finding venues and making key introductions. We also developed a series of workshops to be delivered to these charities by local business experts, on topics such as marketing and insurance, giving the attendees invaluable, free advice and support.
Impact Report 2019 15 15th Anniversary
In June 2019 Croydon Commitment celebrated its 15th birthday. Over the last 15 years the charity has invested over £1 million in Croydon, engaged with over 7,000 employee volunteers who have given 25,000 hours to the community, and worked with hundreds of community groups.
To mark this occasion we held a party at the Urban Xchange Bar in June. Business partners, community leaders and local councillors attended to celebrate the impact businesses have had over the last 15 years through their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.
The event was kindly sponsored by The Business Xchange Hub and photographed by Glenn Foster Photography.
Impact Report 2019 16 Fundraising
Charity Abseil 2019
On Friday 1st November, Croydon Commitment held a charity abseil from No 26 Croydon, a new development in central Croydon. The event was sponsored by Native and JJ Rhatigan, who joined as new partners of Croydon Commitment.
The brave participants took on a 23-floor drop, each raising funds in aid of Croydon Commitment. The Croydon business community embraced the event wholeheartedly, with a number of local companies putting in whole teams of employees! Some of the abseilers even descended in fancy dress - with super heroes and skeletons adding to the spectacle. Overall, the event raised more than £13,000, exceeding our target.
Special mentions to Una Foster and Georgina Speller who were our highest individual fundraisers!
#JUMPCROYDON2019
Impact Report 2019 17
Croydon Business Excellence Awards
In 2019, Croydon Commitment was one of the chosen charities at the Croydon Business Excellence Awards. We appealed for donations for the raffle and auction, and received some fantastic prizes from the local business community, including an original artwork by a local artist and a Michelin Tasting Menu for two. Thanks to the generosity of Croydon businesses, and the guests on the night, over £5,000 was raised from the evening for Croydon Commitment.
Thank you to these businesses and individuals for donating prizes for the event:
Addington Golf Club Jack & Chill Allianz Partners Jurys Inn Chris Philip MP Ludoquist Colonel McRobbie NatWest Croydonist Quills Croydon Park Hotel Rich Simmons Art Crystal Palace Football Club Signal Brewery De Vere Selsdon Estate Stanley Halls Five Guys Superdrug I See Media The Store
Impact Report 2019 18 Our Business Partners
Croydon Commitment’s business partners have been delivering Corporate Social Responsibility to the local community through volunteering, sponsoring, fundraising and in-kind donations.
AECOM Allianz Partners Bryden Johnson Coversure Croydon Park Hotel Croydon Partnership De Vere Selsdon Estate DMC Canotec Glenn Foster Photography Handelsbanken Industry Menu JJ Rhatigan John Whitgift Foundation Jurys Inn London Borough of Croydon Mott MacDonald Native New Horizon Counselling Signal Brewery The Business Xchange Hub Waitrose White Label
Impact Report 2019 19 Message from CEO
Croydon is a great place to work and its an even better place to do business. The Croydon business community is the most vibrant and innovative business community I have ever encountered in my working life.
Croydon Commitment was set up by Phillips in partnership with Business in the Community over 15 years ago as the vehicle through which businesses could work in partnership to deliver more for their community. Croydon Commitment is unique to Croydon and that is what is so special about Croydon; businesses do care. Croydon were ahead of the curve in 2004 and now, when Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability are more important than ever, it is the business community driving change.
2019 was a big year for Croydon Commitment, we celebrated our 15th year and our business partners gave more than ever before. Also, in a difficult political and financial climate the charity made a surplus. Whilst Croydon Commitment is business-led it is a charity that is embedded in the local community and driven by people with passion and kindness. Our 2018-2020 Business Plan is currently being reviewed and as we enter a new decade there is still lots to achieve across our five pillars; Education, Employment, Environment, Social Inclusion and Health and Wellbeing.
Nevertheless, we must take this opportunity to reflect on how much the charity has achieved over the last 15 years and thank everyone past and present for making this happen. On our birthday year, it is important to thank Phillips in particular for leaving a sustainable legacy in Croydon through this charity and in particular both Alex Gibbs from Phillips and Jan Levy now of the brilliant agency Three Hands, for their work in partnership with the other stakeholders locally in creating Croydon Commitment.
It is more important than ever for businesses to work in partnership to drive the sustainability agenda, working together we are stronger and can achieve more. Let's continue to work in partnership to ensure that Croydon is the leading London Borough for Corporate Social Responsibility
Michelle Howlin CEO #TogetherStronger
Impact Report 2019 20 Thank You to Our Supporters
We would not be able to have the impact we do in Croydon without the support of the many businesses and individuals who give their time. Thank you to everyone who has supported Croydon Commitment in 2019:
Addington Golf Club Croydonist Mott MacDonald AECOM De Vere Selsdon Estate Mr Tinto Aecom DMC Canotec Native Allianz Partners Fairfield Halls NatWest ASP Events Five Guys New Horizon Counselling Brakes Forestdale No 26 Croydon Bryden Johnson Fruitful Office Old Palace School Carers Information Service Glenn Foster Photography Pension Protection Fund Caridon Foundation Hand Picked Hotels Quills Caridon Property Handelsbanken RedDoor IT Chris Philp MP Harris Global Rich Simmons Art Cllr Manju Shahul-Hameed Hilton Hotel RoCaro Cllr Toni Letts OBE I See Media Sarah Jones MP Cllr Tony Newman Industry Menu Signal Brewery Cobra Underwriting Jack & Chill Sparkle PR Coloma School Jan Levy Stanley Halls Colonel McRobbie JJ Rhatigan Steve Barclay MP Coversure John Ruskin College Steve Reed MP Croydon College John Whitgift Foundation Superdrug Croydon Ecology Centre Jurys Inn Sussex Innovation Centre Croydon Neighbourhood Care KZM Studio The Business Xchange Hub Association Liam Russell Architects The Store Croydon Park Hotel Local Co-op stores Trinity School Croydon Partnership London Borough of Croydon Waitrose Croydon University Hospital Ludoquist White Label
Impact Report 2019 21 In-Kind Support
In 2019 our business partners gave over £31,000 in in-kind donations to Croydon Commitment and the local community. These are the businesses that donated:
Addington Golf Club AECOM Allianz Partners Brakes Carers Information Service Chris Philp MP Cllr Toni Letts OBE Coloma School Colonel McRobbie Coversure Croydon Croydon Neighbourhood Care Association Croydon Park Hotel Croydonist Crystal Palace Football Club De Vere Selsdon Estate DMC Canotec Five Guys Forestdale Fruitful Office Hand Picked Hotels Hilton Hotel I See Media Jack & Chill John Whitgift Foundation Jurys Inn Karen Percival Local Co-op stores London Borough of Croydon Ludoquist Mott MacDonald NatWest New Horizon Counselling No 26 Croydon Quills Red Door IT Rich Simmons Art Signal Brewery Sparkle PR Stanley Halls Superdrug The Business Xchange Hub The Store Waitrose White Label
Impact Report 2019 22 Organisations we have supported in 2019
Apasen International Archbishop Tenison’s C of E School Ashdon Jazz Academy Asian Resource Centre Beauty Banks Bensham Manor Bright Futures 4 All Caridon Foundation Clear Community Web Coloma Convent Girls’ School Crisis Crisis in Croydon Croydon BME Forum Croydon College Croydon Communities Consortium Croydon Cougars Basketball Croydon Ecology Centre Croydon Refugee Day Centre Croydon Vision DSM Foundation Elmwood Junior School Esther Community Enterprise Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre FSE Group Good Food Matters John Ruskin College Mind in Croydon Ministry of Empowerment Mula Cakes Kids Club Palace For Life Foundation Pinewood Scout Centre Saffron Valley PRU SR Expressions St Mark’s Academy St Mary’s Catholic High School Stanley Halls Stroke Action Studio Upstairs The Friends of Park Hill Park The Hive Croydon The Hygiene Bank Turkish Youth and Community Association Upper Norwood Library Trust Veterans Aid Veterans Groups Volunteer Centre Croydon Waggy Tails Club We-Stap Westbury Community Project Whitgift Foundation Willow Learning For Life
Impact Report 2019 23 Our Board and Team
Our Board
Katharine Glass (Chair)
Cllr Toni Letts OBE (Patron)
Jane Binner
Karen Chillman
Julie Dakin
Sean Dorman
Our Team
Michelle Howlin (CEO)
Melinda Ashford (Partnerships and Programme Manager)
Maddie Percival (Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator)
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Croydon Commitment
Registered Office: Croydon Commitment c/o Mott MacDonald, 8-10 Sydenham Road, Croydon, CR0 2EE
Company Number: 06269709
Registered Charity Number: 1122878
Website: www.croydoncommitment.org.uk
Twitter: @ccommitment
Instagram: croydon_commitment
Facebook: croydon.commitment
LinkedIn: croydon commitment
Impact Report 2019 25