This International Day of Charity, we would like to celebrate the incredible work that our staff have been doing to give back to the community through the 1% Club.
The 1% Club is a scheme which enables employees to spend 1% of their working year (around three days for full time staff) supporting the causes which matter to them. Employees have the opportunity to volunteer with one of Belzona’s 2022 chosen charities, Martin House Children’s Hospice and The White Rose Forest, or support their own causes within the community.
This summer, amongst other staff members, Emily Phillips, Chloe Hirst and Henry Smith have all been working hard in aid of worthy causes. We caught up with them to hear more about the great work they have been doing.
Emily Phillips, Graphic Designer, used her 1% Club time to host two art classes in the Norfolk community, raising an astonishing £880 for Norfolk and Norwich Hospital’s Boudica Appeal. The Appeal aims to fund much-needed breast cancer screening equipment, a cause close to Emily’s heart.
She said: “My previous role was as a self-employed artist and tutor. During that time, I got to know regular students very well, and I will never forget one class in 2021, when a lady called to say she could no longer attend. Not an hour before, she had been told she had breast cancer. I decided then that I wanted to raise money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Oncology unit, a place that has treated many of my friends and family.”
She added: “Art classes are a great way to bring people together, open up conversations and raise money for an excellent cause. Both classes were brilliant successes; much cake was eaten, donations given and some beautiful works created. There’s a quote that goes ‘the most selfish thing you can do is something for someone else’, and I have to say that we all felt pretty good after the event.”
Meanwhile, Chloe Hirst, Senior Copywriter, said: “I went back to my old Sixth Form to talk to the students about my career as a Senior Copywriter. I gave advice on a whole range of topics including: university life, preparing for job interviews, what it’s like in the workplace, as well as some top tips on how to be a successful Copywriter.”
She continued: “It was great to go back to my old Sixth Form! I was very fortunate to have been taught by some wonderful, passionate teachers during my time there, so it was great to have the opportunity to give something back.”
Continuing the theme of education, Henry Smith, UK Technical Supervisor, said “I took part in the interview process for the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, a scheme run by the Smallpeice Trust. The programme gives 16-year-olds the chance to receive funding to help them become engineering leaders in the future.”
He added: “I really enjoyed meeting the next generation of engineers and speaking to others who are passionate about the subject.”
It is great to see so many of our staff members making a positive difference, and we cannot wait to see all the good work they do in the future!
Content Creator, Belzona Polymerics Limited
