Community
Addressing key social issues and the needs of local communities through working constructively with partners for mutual benefit
In 2008 Unipart met its target to invest 1% of its pre-tax profits in the community in line with its Value Set and Business in the Community guidelines. However, our engagement with community stakeholders is about so much more than just giving money. Consistent with its CSR approach Unipart invests people’s skills, time and energy into a whole host of community activities to deliver value for the business, individuals and communities.
Community Investment
Unipart believes that the community activities it supports should be consistent with Unipart’s values and culture and have measurable benefits on both sides. The most effective results are achieved from a strong partnership with clear objectives, where benefits are agreed and monitored through a regular review process.
In 2008 our corporate community investment amounted to £149,601 not just from cash donations but also included staff and management time, and gifts in kind. These investments are in line with the Business in The Community (BITC) PerCent Club guidelines and our Group Policy Statement on corporate community investment.
Value
These significant contributions were made to a variety of community partners with key themes being Education and Health. Significant work was also done in three other areas consistent with Unipart’s key values: Employability, Environment and Economic Development. Volunteer hours in 2008 totalled 2564 across the group, bearing testimony to our employees' passionate dedication to social issues
Case Studies
One of the effects of the recession is that a number of senior employees have been made redundant in the Oxford area and have registered with Job Centre Plus (JCP). Unipart was approached by JCP, with a view to providing interactive training for professionally qualified and executive job seekers to improve their ability to obtain their next role and enhance workplace skills. A set of training modules was developed and delivered by Unipart, achieving very positive feedback from the delegates.
Our UEES (Coventry) site participated in the Engineering Education Scheme. This is aimed at encouraging young people (aged 16-17 yrs) to pursue a career in engineering, through involvement in a real engineering project at their school, whilst being supported by a local company and a school mentor. A real life problem at UEES (a number recognition system for exhaust parts) was presented to the participating students, who used the Unipart OCC process to develop a solution.
Unipart has taken a leadership role in bringing together private and public sector organisations to focus on the strategic development of Oxfordshire’s economy. Frank Nigriello, Unipart Group Director of Corporate Affairs, was appointed to chair the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership (OEP) and has brought a stronger results focus to the not-for-profit company. Unipart also provides weekly meeting and conferencing facilities as in-kind support for OEP.
To read our Responsibility in the Community document click here.
