Almost 200 Manchester primary schoolchildren took part in the first ever Give & Gain community sports day in the city this week supported by British Airways and BT. The Factory Youth Zone, in Harpurhey, was the venue for the skills building event on Give & Gain Day, on May 18, the UK’s national day of employee volunteering.
Fifty volunteers from the British Airways and BT workforces in Manchester supported the Give & Gain initiative organised by charity Business in the Community to celebrate and raise awareness of the incredible power of employee volunteering.
This week will see thousands of people from hundreds of companies across the globe spend a working day volunteering for good causes in their local community. Pupils from four local primary schools, Manchester Communication Academy, Mount Carmel RC Primary, Oasis Academy Harpur Mount and Pike Fold Community Primary School, took part in the fun-filled games run by British Airways and BT volunteers. The activities were designed to develop keys skills such as confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving. The volunteers spent the day encouraging, mentoring and supporting the youngsters as they completed a series of physical and mental challenges with the emphasis on fun.
Carmel Khan, British Airways volunteer programme manager, who started the concept of the British Airways and BT Community Games Day three years ago, said: “BT was my first choice to collaborate with, given we were already working closely on many levels. “The joint venture was a great fit with the British Airways’ Volunteer Programme focus on Youth, Development and Education. I’m delighted we could bring it to Manchester for the first time. “My aim was to create an opportunity that would give children the chance to develop their social skills and enhance their confidence whilst also providing volunteers with the opportunity to develop transferrable skills both into their professional and personal lives whilst supporting the community. She added: “I knew that working together we had a greater chance of connecting with communities and generating a reach as far and wide across the globe. Now, three years on, I am thrilled to see the venture has gone from strength to strength with this being our biggest year yet.
“We are hosting events in 10 locations across the globe, working with several charities and many schools, engaging more than 500 volunteers and 1500 children. The development opportunities and positive effect on wellbeing for all involved makes this by far the most popular volunteer opportunity amongst our colleagues.” Simon Benham, BT’s volunteering delivery manager, said: “We strongly believe that volunteering is good for our people and strengthens our business, as well as benefitting the hundreds of charities and local communities they support. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for the children to learn some vital life skills in a fun and laid back environment. “I hope they got as much out of the day as I know our volunteers did.”
