As a responsible corporate citizen we are proactive in taking action to enhance and improve our impact on the communities where we operate. The Group’s investment in such actions amounted to more than €3 million in 2008.
In the UK and Ireland our companies actively show their support in many different ways, from donating time and materials to community based projects to active participation in local and national initiatives.
We are also committed to supporting the development of opportunities and skills for industry. For example, British Gypsum are proud sponsors of Skillbuild, a nationwide competition for young people training in the construction industry. Saint-Gobain Building Distribution also run a successful Young Merchants programme that offers recognised qualifications.
Saint-Gobain offers the industry an unrivalled level of training. British Gypsum and Isover offer courses from purpose-built training centres, which provide over 5000 man days of training every year. CPD’s are also offered from a range of our companies to ensure our innovative materials and solutions keeps the design industry one step ahead. Greenworks also undertake their own training courses to provide installers with the necessary qualifications needed for renewable energy projects.
Saint-Gobain Building Distribution (SGBD) have just announced the launch of its new charity partnership with Help the Hospices, the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK. The ‘Together’ charity campaign involves branches being twinned with their own local hospice. Funds raised by the branch, and offers of volunteer help, will go directly towards providing local care and support for patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses and their families and friends. With the technical skills on offer across the SGBD group there are also excellent opportunities to apply this to supporting hospice renovation, refurbishment and construction projects. Set up by SGBD in 2002, the ‘Together’ initiative has already raised £1.6 million for worthwhile causes and was recognised for its success with an MBE for founder Peter Hindle in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List.
British Gypsum are patrons of CRASH, the construction and property industries’ charity for homeless people. The charity addresses the issues of homelessness by harnessing the skills, products and goodwill of the building industry to improve hostels, day centres, night shelters, training centres and move-on accommodation, for frontline homelessness agencies who work directly with homeless people. Mike Chaldecott, Managing Director of British Gypsum, is also a trustee of the charity.
Saint-Gobain is proud of the work both companies and individuals who volunteer their time, effort and money to the benefit of the community. We believe everyone can contribute in some way to helping those less fortunate improve their quality of life, therefore Saint-Gobain will always be proactive in the pursuit of community well being.
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