Article by Sarah Friswell, CEO at Red Ant
That’s why, even more so in these economically challenging times, being a responsible and ethical business means looking after our community and environment. A volunteering programme gives employees a chance to use their skills for good throughout the year while benefiting the local community and our planet.
In just a few years, our volunteer initiative has evolved into an intrinsic part of our working culture. The PhilANThropy volunteering programme at Red Ant gives all staff three days’ paid time a year to play a part in making sure our business is a force for good and 98% of our Ants took part in at least one activity to support the community last year. From improving our community and the lives of people who live in it to fundraising for our chosen charitable causes, we provide this support around our client projects of course – but we fit it all in, because it’s important to us to make a positive difference.
With so many deserving causes needing support, it can be hard to know which ones to choose, so it’s worked best for us to have some focus. At the beginning of this year, we agreed that the core focus for 2022 was to be promoting quality local education, good health, and wellbeing, which includes children, the elderly and vulnerable, and, most recently, supporting a fundraiser for Ukraine with matched giving. But we have the flexibility to ensure our year-round activities extend beyond these groups.
We hold bi-weekly planning meetings so everyone, either at home or in the office, can be involved and activities are very varied so there’s something for everyone in the office to participate in – from physically challenging individual pursuits such as the London to Brighton bike ride, to a friendly (and competitive) bake-off, to rubbish clearing in community spaces, to foodbank donations to the Southwark and Waterloo Food Banks, helping local people in crisis. Our work for four local schools and colleges has included supporting a tech-based project at Bosco College, giving three days of virtual work experience, and delivering a business studies GCSE project.
Recent activities have included a transformational clear-up at Living Space Community Centre for the Bankside Open Spaces Trust – making it safer and more accessible for the community to use. One of the most popular regular events is helping the senior members of the community by hosting afternoon teas at Blackfriars Settlement – let’s say our Bingo calling skills are improving! With a Jubilee bake-off fundraiser and food bank donations, and a team participating in the Royal Parks Challenge in August to raise money for Save The Children, this year’s chosen charity – it’s going to be a very active summer.
In addition, a number of the team attended a mental health first aid course, which means they are trained to be vigilant to notice and provide first support to those who may be struggling, within and outside our working spaces. It’s part of an ongoing process where we ensure that as a company we’re a supportive group of people.
Here are some suggestions which we’ve found helpful in establishing a volunteering programme:
Almost the entire Red Ant team are actively involved in contributing something, and it’s now considered a part of our identity. Volunteering enriches our culture, it also provides unique opportunities for social and personal development, helps build better teams and adds a new dimension to each of the team’s purpose in their roles. Bottom line, volunteering makes work feel more worthwhile. In fact, 85% of our staff believe that PhilANThropy has a lot of impact and 92% agree our initiatives make them feel proud to work at Red Ant.
I love that there’s a levelling out with volunteering and we get to know each other better whatever role we may have in the company, which promotes more effective collaboration for client work. it’s one of the reasons we were certified as a Great Place To Work this year, and now regularly comes up in both job interviews and client pitches. We’re connecting with and supporting our local community, ensuring our business practices are responsible, and building a workplace culture we’re truly proud of.
After beginning her career in account management, Sarah followed the client relationship ladder all the way to the emerging digital landscape in Dubai, where she led major projects for leading global brands including IBM and Volvo. On her return to the UK, Sarah joined Red Ant where she applied her extensive experience of networked and independent tech-based businesses to drive the company forward in its pioneering work with high-profile brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Furniture Village and Chalhoub Group. As Red Ant’s CEO, she is responsible for driving and guiding the business, from ensuring the company is run in a sustainable and ethical way to heading up talent selection and overseeing project progress and delivery to clients. She is particularly passionate about diversity, equality and encouraging the progression of women in what can be a tough industry, and has been instrumental in ensuring positive measures are part of Red Ant’s policies.
