Page 19 - 86395_CCB - 2024 Annual Report (web)
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              Supporting our local communities           To encourage community activity, the
                                                      Bank committed to colleagues in 2024 that
              The Bank remains committed to focusing   they could have up to two working days per
              its efforts on supporting local communities   annum that can be used for volunteering or
              through a blend of monetary donations   other charitable activities. This has allowed
              and practical help through colleagues’   our colleagues to provide even more support
              time and energy. In 2024, the Bank      for local charities and we have achieved c450
              donated a total of £64,000 to charities and   hours of volunteering from colleagues.
              good causes, including matched funding in
              support of colleagues fundraising efforts.  Treating businesses fairly and helping our
                 Our contributions to our local       customers grow
              community included:
                                                      The Bank is committed to treating businesses
                  Ž Continued support of the IGNITE   fairly and helping them grow through
                 programme, which is run by the       prompt payment of invoices. 97% of
                 National Space Centre and inspires   suppliers were paid within 30 days for the
                 children and families in Leicester by   year ending 31 December 2024 (2023: 93%).
                 getting them excited about space and
                 creating related pathways through    Developing a Diverse and
                 education and into employment;
                                                      Inclusive workplace
                  Ž Sponsorship of awards with both the   Diversity and inclusion remain at the heart
                 East Midlands Chamber of Commerce,   of the Bank's culture. We are committed
                 where we continued our sponsorship   to creating an inclusive environment
                 of the Leicestershire Environmental   where all colleagues thrive and reach
                 Impact award for the third consecutive   their full potential, whatever their identity
                 year, and Investors in the Environment,   or background.
                 where it was our inaugural year         We believe that individual differences
                 as sponsor of the Sustainability     and the contributions of everyone in
                 Influencer Award;
                                                      our teams enables us to work effectively
                  Ž Enabling the Green Gym with       together to deliver a great customer
                 The Conservation Volunteers (TCV),   experience. In 2024, we evolved our mission,
                 which is part of Rolleston Primary   vision and values focussing on customer,
                 School in Glen Parva;                colleagues, and community – we actively
                                                      embrace our differences to enable a more
                  Ž Ongoing work with Leicestershire   effective experience for customers and
                 Cares supporting a number of         ensure we make a positive difference in
                 initiatives from interview techniques,   the communities in which we serve. The
                 Christmas initiatives including;     Board believes that greater diversity leads
                 wrapping of gifts for less privileged   to wider thinking and skill sets, creating
                 children as well as funding and      increased innovation and ultimately to better
                 volunteering for a local Food Hub and   customer service.
                 gathering donations of food items       Our employee proposition is to actively
                 and blankets to hand out to the local   attract, develop and retain a diverse
                 Leicester communities;
                                                      and adaptable team. Our aim is that our
                  Ž Setting up of new relationship with   workforce will be truly representative of all
                 Leicestershire Education Business    sections of society and that each employee
                 Company (LEBC) which saw many        feels respected and able to give their best.
                 colleagues volunteer in schools for
                 mock interviews and guess my job
                 activities to help them understand
                 more about Financial Services;
                                                         The Bank remains
                  Ž Continued work with the Leicestershire
                 and Rutland Community Foundation,       committed to
                 which has included funding for Soft     focusing its efforts
                 Touch Arts, where the Bank’s support
                 has funded an Enterprise Project        on supporting local
                 to help young adults find a way of
                 putting their passion for arts into     communities.
                 related employment;
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