Supporting charitable causes isn't just good for charities, it's good for business too, helping to improve employee engagement and wellbeing, as well as your business's reputation.
SoGlos has been supporting the Hollie Gazzard Trust as our Charity of the Year 2024, so as companies start looking to the new year and new budgets, we round up 10 ways local businesses can join us in supporting the vital work of this Gloucestershire-based charity, to help end violence against women and girls for good.
Protect staff with Hollie Guard Extra
Providing peace of mind on the commute to and from work, during client meetings and even at home, the groundbreaking Hollie Guard app turns a mobile phone into a personal safety device, alerting emergency contacts with just a shake or tap.
Hollie Guard Extra for Business helps companies safeguard their employees in line with the Domestic Abuse Bill 2020, as well as showing staff that you truly care about their wellbeing.
For more information on Hollie Guard, see 10 ways the Hollie Guard app keeps people safe.
Sign up to the Women's Safety Charter
Show your company's commitment to improving women's safety by signing up for the Hollie Gazzard Trust's new Women's Safety Charter.
As well as valuable training and guidance from the charity's experts, the scheme also provides public recognition to businesses which sign up — helping them attract and retain top female talent.
For more information on the Women's Safety Charter, see Gloucestershire charity launches new Women's Safety Charter for businesses or email rich@holliegazzard.org.
Make good use of your CSR budget
For companies that allocate a portion of their annual budget to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), supporting a charity like the Hollie Gazzard Trust is a wonderful way to put that money to good use.
Businesses can designate the Hollie Gazzard Trust as their Charity of the Year, to provide year-round support donating time, money or skills; committing to fundraise for the charity; providing help in kind; or giving staff paid volunteering time. Or they could provide one-off support for particular campaigns, such as Purple HollieDay.
CSR initiatives don't just benefit the charity either — CSR improves employee engagement, productivity and retention, while also increasing support from customers and improving your company's reputation.
Teach employees to spot the signs of abuse
The Hollie Gazzard Trust provides a variety of different workplace-based training sessions for businesses, to help staff understand and spot the signs of stalking, coercive control and domestic abuse.
By teaching employees how to identify these issues, they're much better placed to help a colleague in need in a meaningful way.
It also helps managers to recognise these signs and understand their legal and moral obligations towards their staff, potentially helping them escape from a dangerous or harmful situation.
Become a business partner
Comapnies can become a Hollie Gazzard Trust business partner for a small monthly fee. The Trust hosts regular business meetings, where supporters of the charity and special guests get together for an informal networking session — with a tasty lunch provided, too.
With representatives from a diverse range of businesses attending, spanning property development, media, insurance, finance, digital marketing and more, it provides a valuable chance to make connections with likeminded businesses.
It's also a great opportunity to hear the charity's latest news and developments, from new product launches to success stories and media appearances.
Help stamp out sexual harassment
From making inappropriate comments about a colleague's appearance to unwanted advances at social events, sexual harassment in the workplace is an issue which businesses need to take seriously.
The Hollie Gazzard Trust offers dedicated sexual harassment awareness training that can be delivered at your workplace.
The training course is designed to help employees understand what sexual harassment is, how to identify when it's happening and how to step in and stop it — making workplaces safer and more comfortable for all staff members, regardless of their gender or sexual preferences.
Train your team to be Active Bystanders
Active Bystander training is a powerful tool which can help de-escalate problematic behaviours before they get to dangerous levels.
From calling out sexism and misogyny to intervening in a dispute before violence occurs, Active Bystander training teaches people how to step in safely, to not only protect and support victims, but change the hearts and minds of perpetrators, too.
For more information on Active Bystander training, see 10 reasons to invest in Active Bystander training from the Hollie Gazzard Trust or email sara@holliegazzard.org.
Ensure employees can work without fear
One in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime — with 75 per cent of domestic abuse victims being targeted at their workplace.
On top of these shocking statistics, domestic abuse costs around £14 million a year in decreased productivity, unplanned time off, loss of earnings and sick pay in England and Wales alone.
The Hollie Gazzard Trust's dedicated Working Without Fear workshop helps organisations establish best practice to support employees who may be suffering from domestic abuse and stalking — with benefits for the business and the individual. For more information about Working Without Fear, email sara@holliegazzard.org.
Create opportunities for team bonding
With a varied events programme throughout the year, from exercise-based challenges like Walk4Hollie and Zumbathons to pub quiz nights, there are plenty of opportunities for team bonding while supporting the Hollie Gazzard Trust's vital work.
Cheer on the daredevil of the team taking part in a firewalk; bake cakes for the office Bake Off and fundraise for the charity; or take some time out of the office to volunteer and become Hollie Helpers.
Businesses can also sponsor events like the charity's golf day or annual gala dinner and treat their staff to some downtime.
Contribute to your local community
Businesses are often the backbone of a community, providing employment opportunities to local people, supporting the economy, improving infrastructure and much more.
When businesses are also providing their staff with valuable skills like Active Bystander, they're helping to make their whole community safer — equipping people with the tools they need to spot, stop and even prevent violence and discrimination wherever they are.
More people having these skills mean more people challenging problematic behaviour in a safe and confident way, which can actively help to change societal norms and make our communities safer for everyone.
