We are having a ball

How often do you get involved in things outside of work?

And how many of those things feed your soul?

I am a trustee for The Luca Foundation, and have been for a while.  I got to know the founder Sharon Luca Chatha and her husband through walking our respective dogs.  I found their story deeply moving and wanted to get involved.

CUDDLE COTS

The Luca Foundation is a charity that was the result of tragedy.

In July 2012, Sharon gave birth to a stillborn baby.  He had died inside the womb, and was born naturally – at full term – three days later. Although Sharon and her husband got to spend time with their baby, it wasn’t enough – not enough to process, to share, or to capture those precious memories.  I can’t imagine what they went through, and I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.

Soon after, Sharon founded The Luca Foundation – a charity that provides and repairs cuddle cots – something that helps parents in the same tragic situation to spend some extra time with their baby – something that Sharon and her husband didn’t have.

The purpose of the charity is to donate a cold cuddle cot to each maternity unit in need of one across the UK, and to fund valuable training and support for maternity health professionals to help prevent stillbirth.

A WAY TO GIVE BACK

An average of 15 babies die every day within their first four weeks of life.  The Luca Foundation wants to ensure that measures are in place for families suffering from babyloss to be given much-needed support and time with their baby.

I am very grateful to be in a position to be able to help and support the charity.  

As an employer, it’s my way of giving back to the community, from a position of being able to help.

I also encourage my clients to do the same.  From a business perspective, we can call it ‘corporate social responsibility (CSR)’ which is great from a commercial marketing perspective, but we should focus on being grateful that we have created the opportunity of being in a position to help.

WHY BUSINESSES NEED CSR

Being able to support a charity or good cause has a number of benefits for any business.  Your involvement can build your professional reputation; create brand trust; and enhance your credibility.

At the very least, it’s the right thing to do, ethically.  If you have built your business to be in a position of success (however subjectively), then giving back should form an important part of your long-term business strategy.

Then we have customer expectations.  In an increasingly-discerning world, having a public CSR policy can be the difference between gaining a customer or losing them to one of your competitors. Delivering an altruistic purpose can attract customers, creating long-term relationships with those who share your values.  

From a HR perspective, a CSR policy could help your business growth, in terms of attracting and retaining talent for whom business benefits are far more than simply ‘a day off on your birthday’.

Strategically, being involved in charitable and good causes, can bring about new opportunities and potential partnerships with businesses that align with your values.

POSITIVE NETWORKING

Being a trustee of the charity is a voluntary position.  I can support through advice, support, and guidance – in this case, with my particular expertise of HR.  I can also spread the word about the charity to my network, hopefully attracting new supporters or, at the very least, giving people the knowledge that this charity exists and the powerful work it does.

The trustees are from a range of sectors, including law, coaching, and finance – amongst others – which also means the trustee meetings are a great opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing.

Not only do I get to support the charity, but I am also supporting the local business community.  Most importantly, I am supporting friends.

PERSONAL GROWTH

The Luca Foundation is a local charity (here in Coventry and Warwickshire) with national significance, wanting to support every maternity ward across the UK.

For me, being involved is important for personal growth too.  It gives me a sense of purpose, andI have the knowledge that my small contributions are making a big difference creating positive impact.

However, this is so much bigger than me – it is more about creating a legacy that will last forever.

DOWNTON ABBEY

On 13th September, the charity is hosting a Downton Abbey-inspired evening at the elegant Manor Hotel Meriden in Warwickshire.

From their website:

“The Luca Foundation invites you to an enchanting night, where you’ll dine on a sumptuous three-course meal, enjoy lively auctions, raffles, and dance the night away alongside celebrity guests. In true aristocratic style, the grand surroundings of the manor, with its timeless charm, will transport you to an era of grace and grandeur.  As you bask in the manor’s opulence, we’ll raise vital funds to support NHS Maternity, NICU, and Paediatric wards. Don’t miss this exquisite event for a noble cause.”

If you can support The Luca Foundation, I’d love for you to join me at this gala dinner event to raise some much-needed funds for this fabulous charity – click here for more information and to book your ticket.

HOW HR CAN SUPPORT YOUR CSR

If you need support in devising and creating a CSR policy for your business – or anything related to HR such as workplace culture,leadership development, looking after your employees or managing your business growth – please do not hesitate to contact me for an informal chat about how me and my team can support you and yours.

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