Supporting our local communities

We have a straightforward approach to community, focusing our efforts locally so we can see the difference we make both today and in the future.

With happy colleagues, satisfied customers, and a profitable business we are able to take the 4Cs full circle by taking an active part in serving our communities. To complement our local focus, we play an active role in the communities where we work and live by being a good neighbour, investing in local education initiatives and looking after our environment.

Being a good neighbour
Our Charity Events Committee is made up entirely of colleagues who volunteer to organise fundraising events throughout the year for local charities nominated by Hastings colleagues.

COVID-19 Community Commitment Scheme

We immediately responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by launching our Community Commitments Scheme.

The scheme targeted local charities within a 20-mile radius of our sites in Bexhill and Leicester to provide financial assistance to a range of charities who were directly impacted by the pandemic, including Foodbanks, NHS & Care, Animal, Vulnerable People and Childrens’ charities.

At the end of 2020 we gave over 150 local charities with over £250k of financial support. This support has continued into 2021, with a further £100,000 of funding allocated for local charities in need for financial support.

National fundraising days

During 2020, colleagues chose to support four national fundraising days, namely Comic Relief, Macmillan Coffee Morning, Movember and Christmas Jumper Day and looked at a range of ways to virtually fundraise for these national causes. We were delighted to see these events raise £5k.

Looking after our environment

Throughout the year we would normally support local initiatives via Community days, such as beach cleaning and keeping public spaces clean, tidy and weed free. This wasn’t possible in 2020, however we continued our work with the Bexhill Environmental Group who planted 520 trees on Bexhill Downs in November and we plan to continue our support in 2021.

Investing in local education initiatives

We have historically had significant interaction with schools, colleges and universities in and around our communities to help develop, attract and nurture home grown talent. In 2019 we sponsored a programme called ‘Be the Change’ in Bexhill and Leicester which aims to raise the aspirations of local 13 to 14 year olds.

The programme was designed to help remove barriers that may make students disengage from school and general day-to-day life; provide them with life skills to help shape their future and give them the opportunity to make a difference to their education and career paths. Our colleagues volunteer as business mentors to help support the students with anecdotal and professional advice and guidance.

Sadly our education programmes were postponed in 2020 due to the global pandemic, but we will continue to support these in 2021. We aim to continue our three-day programme with 240 year nine students from September 2021 onwards.

Pink Ribbon Foundation

We continue to donate £10 to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, a women’s breast cancer charity, for every new business policy sold under our InsurePink brand. In 2020 we were able to support the Pink Ribbon Foundation with £75k as part of our continuing work with this national charity.

Colleague Hardship Fund

The Colleague Hardship Fund was established in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, to support colleagues and their families who are experiencing significant and acute financial hardship.

The Colleague Hardship Fund continues in 2021 and to date has supported more than 90 colleagues totalling over £80k.

2021 activity to date

Our COVID-19 Community Commitments Scheme has continued into 2021 with a further £100k to support our local communities and education providers. We have also continued to support local schools with computer equipment to ensure all students can learn effectively whilst being home schooled.

Our national fundraising days and virtual community days will continue throughout 2021.

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