Homecare’s approach to CSR

Homecare Independent Living’s Managing Director Mairead Mackle shares her company’s approach to CSR and the benefits it brings to the wider community and to the company itself.

We set out to have an impact on our local community because we are a community healthcare provider. Homecare Independent Living is one of the largest private community healthcare providers in Ireland, employing over 950 staff. Our CSR activities are delivered through our dedicated charity committee (iCare), which draws its name from the company’s five core values:

• Integrity;

• Commitment;

• Accountability;

• Respect; and

• Enthusiasm.

Cross community activities of iCare that our staff and families can get involved in are prioritised. Its fundraising work is dedicated to tackling small but meaningful changes in our local communities. iCare’s Gatelodge project (www.santasgatelodge.com) is mainly directed at children’s charities e.g. the NSPCC and the Sophia Fund for the Royal Victoria Hospital’s neonatal unit, SCOPE UK (Children with Cerebral Palsy) and OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children).

Separately, the company also sponsors the under-18 and ladies teams at Armagh City Football Club and they in turn offer their help with our community activities. We also sponsor some primary schools’ sports activities which involve all their young people.

Over 250 volunteers are involved in the Gatelodge project, with many coming from secondary schools in the Armagh area. We invite our local schools to involve their 17 and 18 year old students and each young person is trained in customer care. The highlight of the year is the opening of the 130-year old Manor House Gatelodge in the village of Milford for 16 days in December, which attracts thousands of visitors from across Ireland. The entire village becomes part of the experience and everyone has a part to play. The staff and students really enjoy the practical and fun elements of it. Additionally, the Milford Fun Day for Families on the August Bank Holiday raises money to renovate the listed community hall in the village, which will ultimately benefit the whole community.

I believe that a company shouldn’t stick too rigidly to the mantra that all CSR activities should be directly linked to a company’s bottom line. Our focus is to create a positive impact in the communities in which we operate and to help us achieve this, we have recently joined Business in the Community.

Activities should be linked to the ability, skills and resources of the company. In our case, Homecare provides community services and has a large female workforce. Supporting local school activities helps to support local mothers, many of whom work for Homecare.

iCare’s other area of focus is to help reduce social isolation for older people, especially in rural areas, and we have just commenced a much needed befriending service in the Armagh area assisted by CAWT (Cooperation and Working Together) Project. Many of our staff will offer themselves for a few hours each week to help another person and this can be very rewarding.

In my opinion, we must apply the same business skills and concepts across CSR and our core work.

Whether it’s a fun day, a family trip to The Gatelodge or a visit from a befriender, the experience has to be good one regardless of the fact that the funds may be going to a charitable cause or it’s delivered by a volunteer. This means using our business skills right across the board to create worthwhile services or events.

Environmental initiatives that many companies highlight as part of their CSR activities are part and parcel of our normal business routine e.g. efficient energy and transport use, and a sustainable approach to waste management.

CSR also brings tremendous internal benefits in terms of staff morale, enabling a good community spirit and helping both young and old work together. It is time-consuming and involves a huge commitment of effort but ultimately proves to be more than worthwhile.

Tel: 0044 (0)28 3751 1333

www.icare-charity.com

Report sponsored by George Best Belfast City Airport