Now that Covid lockdown restrictions are fully lifted the team at Focus are keen to get back out there and give back to their communities and chosen charitable projects.

This month Florence Andrews, Associate at our London office, and her friend Helen completed the Great East End Walk, a 10-mile circular route celebrating some of London’s East End highlights. Florence and Helen had set a target of raising £200 but in the end raised an amazing £745 towards a really great cause.

St Joseph’s Hospice opened in Hackney in 1905, and since then has been caring for and supporting people affected by serious illness across eight London boroughs, working to improve the quality of life of more than 2,100 patients with life-limiting conditions each year, helping them live life to the full, to the very last. The hospice needs to raise £19,000 each day to keep their vital services running so every penny raised is really important, and very much appreciated.

For more information about the hospice please visit https://www.stjh.org.uk/

To make a belated contribution visit Florence and Helen’s Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-finch12?fbclid=IwAR0HNeGoKWa2MJ1eTq3xeHHmM4KwpiXPiZKirQeXewRxV9vyZIqBov8VHDo

Recent Covid lockdowns have meant that many businesses and individuals have reassessed their priorities. The company has struggled to orchestrate large company-wide volunteering events due to continued growth across our 3 offices and due to Covid restrictions. We wanted to better encourage staff in supporting projects they feel passionate about and after having taken on board staff feedback, we are now putting in place a new volunteering scheme offering our employees a single day release per annum to take part in volunteering activities that align with company values with an emphasis on the environment, mental health, education, conservation and not-for-profit organisations. There are so many benefits to be gained from establishing this scheme. For example, it will:

• Strengthen our commitment to communities.
• Increase employees’ commitment to Focus and their pride in belonging to the Group.
• Create stronger bonds that enhance relationships.
• Develop valuable abilities and skills such as co-operation, teamwork, leadership and employee creativity.
• Support causes or initiatives close to our employees’ hearts and encourage participation to enhance their own (and others’) mental and/or physical wellbeing

We look forward to sharing further charity news in the next edition of our newsletter.