A Birmingham-based bank set up to cater for organisations in the 鈥榮ocial economy, has proved it practices what it preaches by surpassing an ambitious target for staff volunteering.
Unity Trust Bank鈥檚 Unity in The Community (UiTC) staff volunteer programme, which gives every member of staff five paid days a year to support charities or good causes, saw its 86-day target surpassed with more than 50 employees completing a total of 113 days voluntary work for 19 charities and social organisations.
The Brindleyplace-based bank was set up in 1984 by a number of the country鈥檚 largest trade unions to create the 海角视频鈥檚 first trade union-owned bank.
It is a specialist bank for organisations in the social economy providing specialist day-to-day banking and affordable finance to charities, social enterprises, co-operatives, CICs, community groups, local councils, trade unions and other organisations.
James Beamish, chair of UiTC, was overwhelmed by the response to the scheme in 2013.
He said: 鈥淚t has been great to see the time and effort staff at Unity have put aside to help others. It has been a real success and beating our goal of how many days volunteered shows the passion and commitment of the Unity team to a variety of causes.鈥
Mr Beamish competed in Tough Mudder 2013 raising 拢1,400 for Cancer Research 海角视频 and also volunteered at a donkey sanctuary which helps children with learning and behavioural difficulties.
He added: 鈥淭he UiTC programme is a really important part of our culture at Unity Trust Bank, it reflects our strong social values and brings different teams together, which is always great for morale and a fun working environment.鈥
Other volunteering initiatives saw the bank鈥檚 head of finance Helen Rotherham use her five days to trek the Himalayas raising a total of 拢4,000 for Zoe鈥檚 Baby Hospice.聽
Birmingham YMCA welcomed five members of the Unity Trust Bank team to help clear a children鈥檚 play area in Erdington, while Peter Kelly, its business development and marketing director, helped Birmingham Fair Money (four local not for profit lenders), tackle payday loans by promoting affordable and responsible lending.
