As another year comes to a close, we've asked colleagues to help us reflect on all the work we’ve done as part of our 'Be Involved' agenda to support the communities we serve and put people on a path to a better everyday life.
“Colleagues have made great use of our volunteering programme this year to support our partner organisations during work time – this has been a great way for them to provide skilled support and use their expertise in a way that really helps to make an impact for our communities.”
Sharon Orr – Community Affairs Manager
This year we clocked up 425 volunteer hours with over 50 colleagues volunteering more than 250 hours to support children and young people in their education.
Colleagues took part in virtual career panels, mock interview sessions, work insight days, The National Literacy Trust’s Words for Work programme and our new online reading partner programme to help children and young people develop their literacy skills and prepare them for the world of work.
reading volunteers at two schools in London and Bradford
Words for Work programmes delivered across primary and secondary schools and colleges in Bradford, Chatham, Havant, and London
Work Insight days facilitated by colleagues across the group to young people in Bradford
“All children should be given the opportunity to find joy in reading, and I hope that with the additional tutoring support, it improved their confidence and their love of reading. It made me feel proud that I was able to take a small piece of time out of my week to help support a child with something so important to their life and education.” Rebecca Nash, Fraud Assurance Officer, Vanquis Bank
This year we’ve distributed £306,776 in grants to 51 voluntary organisations.
We’re so proud that we’ve been able to distribute nearly £307k this year to organisations who really are on the frontline of supporting the people who need it most in our communities.
Our grants to small voluntary organisations through our six Social Impact Funds mean that we can support people right at the heart of our communities, helping them to address the barriers they may face to social and financial inclusion. This year, 25 colleagues got involved and helped to decide where the funding was placed.
“I found the grants panel to be really insightful and it gave me a whole new level of understanding of what the Group are doing in our communities and how we are really helping to make a difference. I would encourage anyone who is given the opportunity to participate in a future event to do so and discover first-hand the great causes that we support and to play a part in the decision making process.” Clare Holding – General Manager, CEL
“It was lovely to work with you and the team yesterday, and always so great to end a session giving out such a fantastic volume of grants. I so appreciated the depth of feedback from each of your team members – please do let them know how impressed we were.” Jacqui Scott – CEO, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation
Over 350 books donated to schools in Bradford, Chatham and London for World Book Day
Colleagues personally donated 106 books while the business donated another 258 at a cost of around £2,500. All donations went to schools located near our main offices.
"Our school has been transformed and there is a very contagious new bug going around! It’s nothing to do with the pandemic – it is reading! We have been so very grateful for the wonderful donations of books that we have received. It has made a world of difference and has transformed lives as our children are developing reading as their new favourite pastime!" Sue Mason, Head Teacher at Brompton-Westbrook Primary School in Chatham.
Supporting National Numeracy
For the fourth year, PFG was a lead supporter of National Numeracy Day in May. This year saw thousands of people being empowered to take their first steps to improve their confidence and competence with numbers for work, supporting children, and managing money.
"This National Numeracy Day we helped many thousands of people to think about, understand, and work with numbers in new ways. I would like to personally thank you and the team for supporting us to reach and inspire more people than ever to take action. This year’s results are even more impressive than 2020, which is testament to the strength of our creative campaign and our partnership.” Sam Sims, National Numeracy Chief Executive.
year as lead supporter for National Numeracy Day
actions taken to improve number confidence and skills
estimated views of media coverage across national television, radio, and newspapers
We look forward to running all these programmes, and more in 2022 and helping even more people on a path to a better everyday life.