Supporting local communities has long been a focus for us and is a source of pride for many of our colleagues. From volunteering in support of good causes, participating in our social mobility programmes, to fundraising for The DWF Foundation, our work with communities has always received a high level of support and engagement from our colleagues.
The challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic presented fundamental and profound challenges to people from all over the world. Perhaps none more so than communities in need and those charities and organisations who support them. With physical interaction and fundraising opportunities limited it was difficult to provide the support so greatly needed.
The solution
Thanks to the resourcefulness and engagement of our colleagues, many of our activities to support The DWF Foundation and our communities more broadly were able to continue remotely. This included virtual 10K runs and online mentoring sessions for students.
The DWF Foundation focused resources on those most impacted by COVID-19. This included providing over £30,000 of funding to food banks, whilst our Legal Operations team continued working with schools in Pune, providing funds, food and clothing to vulnerable children.
The outcome
Despite the restrictions in place, colleagues spent 5,876 hours volunteering during that year and helped to support over 600 young people to develop their skills and continued to raise funds for the DWF Foundation. As a result, the foundation was about to make more the £200,000 worth of grants to charities across the world.
