Banner Blog

This week, Banner is recognising the positive impacts of volunteering and the time donated by our employees to create positive impacts within their communities.

At Banner, we are committed to working in a way that ensures we achieve a far reaching social, economic and environmental impact, outlined in our CSR charter.

As part of our commitment to employee well-being, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility, we offer each employee two charity leave days each year. These fully paid days allow them donate their time to a cause close to their heart, including our Group charity, evo Foundation.

Banner is delighted to have worked with evo Foundation and Simon Eady, our Key Account Manager, to organise a large stock donation for the MK Food Bank, a charity to which Simon regularly donates his time. Eight pallets of essential items, including reusable cups and cutlery, will be donated to the food bank. The food bank will distribute these items to those in need and other charities in the local area. This includes the Woburn Sands Night Shelter, which houses the most vulnerable during winter’s cold nights.

evo Foundation, provides grants to support people globally, with two main aims: the advancement of education and the prevention of poverty.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering not only has a positive impact and makes a positive difference in the community, but it can also work wonders for your mental health:

• It offers a chance to acquire valuable new skills and experiences through learning something new, connecting with others, or diversifying your routine from your regular job.
• Naturally, helping others feels good, and volunteering can elevate your mood and benefit your mental health. Engaging in physical volunteer work, such as tree planting or litter collection, can also enhance your mood.
• Volunteering can increase your confidence, whether it's by mastering a new skill or forging connections with others.

Volunteer Week

This year's National Volunteer Week, which takes place from 3^rd to 9^th June 2024, celebrates its 40^th anniversary. This national week recognises the UK’s incredible volunteers for their contributions to our local communities and society as a whole and provides more opportunities and taster sessions for volunteering.

This Volunteers’ Week, we’ve been catching up with Simon Eady, who is an avid volunteer in his local community.

Where do you volunteer?
“Over the past few years, my volunteer efforts have primarily revolved around winter night shelters for the homeless, food banks and my local church, working with the Woburn Sands Night Shelter. These opportunities are incredibly rewarding and impactful, particularly during the colder months when support for vulnerable individuals is most needed.”

How often do you volunteer? 
“The frequency of my volunteer work varies depending on the time of year and other commitments, but I strive to dedicate as much time as possible to these causes.”

What do your volunteering activities involve? 
“I assist in collecting donations of food, clothes, and other essential items for distribution to those in need, particularly at winter night shelters and food banks. This includes:

• Assisting in setting up and operating night shelters, ensuring everything is in place to accommodate and support guests seeking shelter during cold winter nights.
• Providing support at schools, including collecting and dropping off period products to schools for their medical rooms, ensuring that students have access to essential supplies, and limiting the subsequent impact on their education from being unable to access these products.
• Offering emotional support. As a Christian and a motorcyclist, I make myself available to listen and provide support to those in need, whether it is at the night shelter or a motorcycle event, as well as other settings.
• Raising money and participating in fundraising efforts to support the operations of winter night shelters and food banks. This includes seeking donations and spreading awareness about the causes.

These activities allow me to contribute to the wellbeing of others and make a positive impact in my community.

In addition to my regular volunteer commitments, I adhere to the principle of "A Random Act of Kindness a Day." This motto guides me to perform small acts of kindness each day, ranging from offering a smile to actively participating in fundraising efforts.

I believe that even the smallest gesture can make a significant difference in someone's day. You never know what someone may be going through, and a simple act of kindness can brighten their day and uplift their spirits.”

Do you work with a different charity every year, or have you been supporting the same cause for some time?
“I typically gravitate towards supporting the same organisations. However, since recently moving location and stepping down from my role as a Churchwarden and Trustee at the WNS, I've found myself with more free time for reflection. As a result, I'm now considering exploring new challenges and opportunities for volunteer work.

While I have greatly valued my involvement with my current volunteer commitments, I believe that embracing new experiences and challenges can lead to personal growth and allow me to make a broader impact in my community.

I'm excited about the prospect of discovering new causes to support and contributing to them in meaningful ways.”

How do you use the charity days that Banner provides?  
“Over the past few years, I've utilised my charity days to volunteer in various capacities. One notable example is my involvement as a hospitality minibus driver at Silverstone Racetrack, where I contributed to raising funds for the Rotary Club Towcester.

I am delighted to work for a company that shares my value of giving back to the community, and I am considering how best to allocate these valuable company charity days in the future to make a meaningful impact.”

What do you enjoy about volunteering?
“The opportunity to positively impact the lives of those in need is incredibly rewarding. I firmly believe that giving back to the community is not only a responsibility but also a privilege.
Ultimately, the satisfaction that comes from knowing that I've been able to lend a helping hand and make a difference far outweighs any personal time or commitment involved.”

Find out more information about Volunteer Week and how you can get involved here: volunteersweek.org

Supporting through the evo Foundation

Banner is working with our Group charity, evo Foundation, and Simon to organise a large stock donation for the MK Food Bank, a charity to which Simon regularly donates his time. Eight pallets of essential items, including reusable cups and cutlery, will be donated to the food bank. The food bank will distribute these items to those in need and other charities in the local area. This includes the Woburn Sands Night Shelter, which houses the most vulnerable during winter’s cold nights.
evo Foundation is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals globally, including the communities in which our employees live and work. The charity has two core goals: educational advancement and prevention of poverty.

Since evo Foundations’ launch in September 2023, Banner staff and suppliers have supported the charity with numerous fundraising activities. This includes the Walk of evo, in which Steve Smith walked 234 miles in 10 days, raising £35,000.

Find out more about the evo Foundation by visiting their website: www.evofoundation.org.uk