Community
The Group endeavours to contribute to the communities in which it operates particularly those neighbouring its sites. SIG is a member of Business in the Community in the UK and has worked with that organisation to help to develop its approach and practices. This is mainly achieved through charitable donations and other initiatives that help the community.
2011 saw the fourth year for which SIG Insulations was the main sponsor for the Sheffield Half Marathon event, which raised £110,000 for good causes.
In 2011 Cladding and Fascia Supplies provided products to support the refurbishment of the Norris Green Youth Centre in Liverpool. The refurbishment project was part of the BBC’s DIY SOS Programme.
The Human Resources Director has responsibility for community issues within the Group and reports to the Chief Executive who is responsible for community issues at Board level.
Charitable Donations
During the year the Group made donations of £145,000 (2010: £117,000). It is the Group’s policy not to make political donations and no political donations were made in the year (2010: £nil).
The Group reviewed its Charitable Donations Policy in 2011. As a result SIG introduced a new initiative to use funds to provide matched donations in respect of monies raised by the Group’s employees for charitable causes. SIG employees can apply for a matched donation (up to a maximum of £500 or local equivalent).
A Charities Committee has been set up to approve applications and to ensure that they are in line with SIG’s Charitable Donations Policy. Matched donations from employee applications in 2011 were made to various charities and community projects including: the Alpe d’Huez Foundation in Benelux, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK, Tommy’s, Breast Cancer Campaign, BBC Children in Need and local community football teams for children and adults.
The Group’s particular focus of support is for charities that enhance SIG’s engagement in the communities in which it operates, assist in managing the sustainability of the local environment or educate young people and assist disadvantaged groups.
In addition to matched funding, in 2011 SIG gave its support to the following charities:
Action For Kids – A donation was made to the ‘12 Trikes for Xmas Appeal’ to help provide 12 tricycles for 12 disabled children from the UK. Action For Kids is a national charity working to create independence, provide opportunities and offer support to disabled children, young people and their families all around the UK. Action For Kids was partnered by SIG for a 3 year period ending in 2010.
LivLife – A donation to build an outreach centre in Tanzania. LivLife works in Northern Tanzania with some of the world’s most disadvantaged people, many of whom live in desperate poverty, without the chance to go to school, learn skills or find employment – many have had no education at all. LivLife Centres provide the relevant opportunities for people to get themselves out of poverty through learning and employment. The education centres are sustainable, locally-run and locally-relevant. Crucially they are entirely free to use, thereby giving everyone in the communities the opportunity to live their life, and to do so on their own terms.
St Wilfrid’s Centre (Sheffield UK) – Donation towards a new residential centre for homeless people. This is a charity which supports the homeless, the vulnerable and those who are socially excluded by providing a safe environment where they can learn life skills. St Wilfrid’s has its own printing, pottery and woodwork centre staffed by homeless volunteers who craft goods for sale in the shop located in the Centre. The residential centre will help educate homeless people in how to take care of themselves in social accommodation with the end goal of breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Donations were also made to Myeloma UK & Alzheimer’s in memory of our respected colleague, Jon Hudson, who sadly passed away in 2011.
The Group has in place a Payroll Giving Scheme, which is available to all UK employees. Employees are free to choose any charity of their choice. Donations of £22,000 were made through the scheme in 2011.
SIG has been awarded a Payroll Giving Quality Mark Silver Award in the UK for commitment to good causes and the local community.
Employees also undertake personal fundraising endeavours for a wide range of charities. The UK intranet, which is available at each location, has a dedicated forum for employees to highlight their fundraising efforts and receive support from their colleagues.
For further information see the SIG Charitable Donations Policy