Staff from Barclays Wealth in the Isle of Man have been giving up their free time to support and volunteer with a number of local charities as part of its Make a Difference initiative.
In addition to the regular volunteering activities which Barclays Wealth staff undertake each year, in November there is a special focus period called ‘Make a Difference Day’ which unites staff across the world in supporting local charities. Barclays Wealth’s involvement in the campaign is an important part of its Citizenship agenda and stretches back to 2000. In 2010, more than 19,000 employees took part in the initiative.
This year, a number of events have taken place including one to redecorate a care flat for Leonard Cheshire Disability (IOM) in Ramsey. Six members of staff, who usually spend their time assisting internationally based clients with their financial planning jumped at the chance to help such a worthy cause even if some had never even touched a paint brush! Armed with materials supplied by Ashcrofts Ltd and transport to Ramsey by Elegance Taxi’s, they spent the day painting and decorating a residential flat in order for the charity to take in a new resident.
Leonard Cheshire Disability supports thousands of disabled people both in the Isle of Man and in more than 50 other countries. The charity helps people with physical impairments, learning difficulties and long-term health conditions, as well as their carers, friends and families.
Other activities that have taken place around Make a Difference Day include:
Boayl Dooin Children's Resource Centre – Staff have helped to build a sensory garden at the resource centre which provides respite care for children and young people who have a disability. Barclays Wealth has also supplied a grant of ?500 to purchase supplies for the project.
Ashley Hill School – Volunteers helped to renovate the school garden and redecorate painted walls along with parents and friends of the school.
Manx Wildlife Trust – The Manx Wildlife Trust relies on a group of dedicated volunteers to help them in various projects throughout the year. Volunteers from Barclays Wealth assisted in clearing a pond area and building a bonfire to help dispose of the cleared vegetation.
Nobles Hospital and local charities – As well as the activities taking place in the local community, staff have also been donating unwanted books for donation to Noble’s Hospital and other local charities. So far over 500 books have been donated, with more to come.
Stuart Nelson, Chairman of the Charity Committee said: ‘It is great to see our staff getting involved in so many worthwhile projects with local charities. Make a Difference Day is a global initiative which sees our staff giving back to the many communities in which we operate. I would like to thanks everybody involved for giving up their time so freely and generously, it really is helping to make a difference to the Island community.’
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