We have launched a new monthly column, highlighting the work of employee volunteering in York through the charity York Cares.
WITH its extraordinary history and vibrant culture, York is a beautiful and exciting place to live and work. But supporting our local community is also central to city life.
York Cares brings together the city’s leading employers and more than 200 community organisations to provide employee-volunteering opportunities that meet the city’s most pressing needs.
We match the skills and expertise of employers to the projects where they can have the most impact, particularly in areas of disadvantage.
Opportunities include school-based schemes and working with young care leavers, as well as team challenges and projects to support voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.
It’s the volunteers that show York really cares.
Our member employers make up more than a quarter of York’s workforce, together giving more than 10,000 hours a year to deliver real benefits to the local community.
Some of our newest members include the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, East Coast Mainline Company and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Shaun Rafferty, director of central services at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, explains why it was so important for the organisation to get involved with York Cares: “Our founder, Joseph Rowntree, believed that all businesses should play a central role in the development and support of the wider community.
“JRF are pleased to be on the board of York Cares as it gives us the opportunity to be part of shaping a city where as many employees and employers as possible are part of helping individuals and communities to thrive.”
Volunteers from East Coast got stuck in at York Cares’ annual Big Community Challenge in October. Steph Oerton, head of learning and development, said: “York Cares provides us with access to a range of local activities and initiatives we can get involved in and keeps us in touch with things that matter to our York community. We find that volunteering is a great way to engage with our people and for our people to engage with our communities.It provides them with opportunities to share their skills as well as discover new ones.”
York Cares To find out more about York Cares and to keep up to date with its latest news, visit the website at www.yorkcares.co.uk and follow on Twitter @YorkCares
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