Following the launch of the 2019 Business Data Partners CSR programme, we want to introduce the four charities BDP is supporting in London, Edinburgh, Chester and Leeds throughout 2019.
Throughout March and April, we will be publishing four blogs written by our regional CSR reps. These will provide a spotlight on each charity supported by the Business Data Partners CSR programme. Last week we introduced Edinburgh, which you can read here.
Next up is London, introducing their charity partner Hestia. To give us an overview of the charity and their plans for the year is Joe Russell and Varminder Sondh, two of our London based BDP Consultants and our BDP London CSR Reps.
Why did you choose to become a BDP CSR rep?
Joe – I enjoy being able to give something back, we are all in quite privileged positions as we have full-time jobs and good salaries, not everyone else is that lucky. So I feel the least I can do is raise awareness of charities and the amazing work they do day-to-day. I’ve been helping run charity events since I was 18 and am always looking for the next challenge I can get involved with!
Varminder – We are constantly on the go with busy lifestyles that we sometimes forget to appreciate all we have. By being able to get in involved in the CSR agenda gives us the opportunity to understand how we can help those less fortunate or in times of difficulties and truly give back using a range of methods. We can help others where even the smallest of gestures can make a difference.
Tell us about the charity you have chosen to work with
Hestia is a charity supporting adults and children in times of crisis. Hestia delivers services across London and surrounding regions, in addition to national campaigns that advocate for the issues that affect the people Hestia works with. In 2018 Hestia supported 9,799 men women and children in the following areas:
- Victims of modern slavery
- Women and children who have experienced domestic abuse
- Young care leavers at risk
- Older people
- Mental health and complex needs
- Learning disabilities
- Physical disabilities
- Offender rehabilitation
- Drugs and alcohol support
The ways in which Hestia provides support is broad, catering specifically to the needs of those they are helping. These include services such as:
- Floating community support
- Supported accommodation and safe houses
- Day Centres
- Hospital Discharge assistance
- Befriending
- School holiday programmes
- Financial management assistance
We looked at a number of different charities however felt Hestia allowed us to achieve a partnership that would benefit the charity and what we were looking to do. After meeting with Hestia we knew the values of the charity and BDP were perfectly aligned so it was a great fit for us.
Why Hestia?
The charity gives us the opportunity to not just raise funds but also help across a broad audience in a personal way. We can leverage a wide scope of skills within BDP to help give back and make a difference. The breadth of ways we can support within volunteering and fundraising means that everyone can get involved in one way or another.
What are your goals and what activites do you have planned for 2019?
Following our meeting with Hestia decided there are two key ways BDP can support the charity:
- Fundraising – for our more active consultants they will take part in challenge events through-out the year. These will include physical events such as marathons, triathlons and Santa in the City.
- Volunteering – hosting sessions through services that leverage our skill set as a technical business as well as supporting Hestia’s internal functions, befriending, and events support.
As well as raising money to support the charity so they can continue to operate, we really hope to make a difference by getting involved in the services so we can make a real difference.
How can others help?
Apart from supporting our fundraising initiatives, we would love to get as many people on board with our volunteering opportunities. We will be promoting these through our social channels so keep an eye out – not just BDP consultants. The below table shows the number of people Hestia was able to help, broken down by the groups they work with:
If you’d like to learn more about Hestia or how you can support them directly, head to their website and reach out to the fundraising and volunteering team. As a local charity they rely on the support of those in the community.
