Participating in our local communities
Premier Farnell operates a Community Investment Policy which aims to make a contribution to the communities in which it operates, by building goodwill and a reputation as a good neighbour and employer.
In recognition of the value of giving time to community partners, Premier Farnell has formed a partnership with Armley Helping Hands, to contribute towards the sustainable provision of services which support elderly people in West Leeds.
Armley Helping Hands is a registered charity supporting older people and their families within the area of Leeds 12. The charity aims to provide facilities for education, recreation and leisure time activities with a view to improving quality of life and reducing social isolation.
Premier Farnell has agreed to help Armley Helping Hands in a number of areas to facilitate them in becoming a sustainable organisation. Premier Farnell is working in a technical capacity by providing IT and web design support. The team are assisting the charity in networking and upgrading the charity’s computers within the office and the mobile laptops. This is enabling the Premier Farnell team to share information and therefore making the service more efficient.
They have also assisted in provided support on a more personal level by providing shopping escorts to the elderly people, and by making available 24 hour security and access to the charity’s minibus.
The festive season saw Premier Farnell’s team deliver 50 Christmas hampers to the elderly patrons whom they had identified as being most at risk of social isolation. The culmination of the celebrations was a Christmas party for 120 elderly people, organised and supported by the Premier Farnell team.
These examples of how Premier Farnell is offering support in kind are only some of the ways they are helping the charity. A protocol outlining all of the assistance offered by Premier Farnell has been created and agreed with Armley Helping Hands.
The benefits for Armley Helping Hands include the long-term sustainability that has been secured thanks to their ability to demonstrate guaranteed access to volunteers, resulting in increased funding. Armley Helping Hands’ board of trustees are now confident that the organisation is financially secure for the next three years.
The needs and priorities of the elderly service users are being addressed effectively and the service provided is being delivered against a coherent and co-ordinated action plan. This enables a reduction in social isolation and improvements in community interaction in the target group of elderly people in West Leeds.
The ongoing support provides Premier Farnell’s Leadership development programme with experiential learning opportunities. The projects that have been identified have also been chosen to assist in the development of Premier Farnell’s employees’ skills.
Armley Helping Hands provide quarterly feedback to Premier Farnell outlining volunteer support and advice to employees who have caring responsibilities to the elderly patrons.
The action plan agreed by Premier Farnell and Armley Helping Hands runs until the 30 January 2010.