Giving something back
At CHP we’re always looking for ways that we can give something back to the community and make a difference. That’s why we’ve got a Giving Something Back Working Group that’s made up of colleagues who find ways that we can support charities and the local community.
Our Giving Something Back Group, who lead our work in this area, created 25 food and games packages for Sheltered Scheme customers to help them celebrate the Kings Coronation during May with communal tea parties. All of our colleagues also have the opportunity to take up to two-days of paid volunteering leave each year which they can use to volunteer in place of their regular working day, where some of them used their time to support our own Coronation tea party which we held at Parkside Community Hub. This was very well attended and everyone enjoyed the afternoon’s food and entertainment.
We also supported Tools with a Mission, a charity based in Ipswich that collects unwanted tools and sends them to Africa to empower local people in extreme poverty to create their own livelihoods. We collected and donated over £3,000 worth of tools which will be reused by those that need them most.
Last month we once again had the privilege of supporting the Essex Disabled Children Annual Sports Day. Many colleagues used some of their leave to help over 450 disabled children giving them the chance to try some sports they might otherwise never get the opportunity to do. Our team of volunteers handed out t-shirts, lunches to over 600 people and then medals for the children. We were able to take all leftover food from the day to CHESS Homeless in Chelmsford who were able to distribute to people who desperately needed it. Our regular volunteering opportunities with the Essex Disabled Sports Foundation are always well supported by colleagues across the business and our efforts are hugely appreciated by the children, their carers and the event organisers.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Working Group baked up a storm in June to support local LGBTQ+ charity, The OutHouse, who are based in Colchester. The OutHouse provides opportunities including counselling, social events and support groups for LGBTQ+ people across Essex. Our brilliant bakers and equally brilliant eaters raised £268.00 which will help The OutHouse provide opportunities for support and friendship for the local LGBTQ+ community.
The summer holidays aren’t an easy time for everyone which is why we collected items for The Trussell Trust which runs food banks in the Chelmsford area. This ranged from tinned and jarred goods, toiletries, and household items.
We're really proud of the work that our colleagues do to make a difference, donating their time, money and goods.