Charity first for Civicans

Our people have supported their communities more than ever over the pandemic

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Civica colleagues across the UK have taken time out to put their communities first. While respecting social distancing measures, employees have raised money for charities, stitched masks for healthcare providers or helped enhance their nearby beauty spots as more people stayed local.

Jon Gratton, a software developer in Cashless Solutions, has found getting out to run with his Ultra Marathon friends has supported his wellbeing while raising money for charities close to home.

Lockdown’s brought some hard challenges for me, physically and mentally. I have anxieties and depression, but it’s running which sets my mind at ease. When we were able to go out and exercise with others at a safe distance, I met up with some of my Ultra running buddies in a few of our favourite spaces in the Peak District which is right on my doorstep.

We’ve been busy completing some 50-mile Ultra Marathons in aid of Mind, Alder Hey Children’s Charity and The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. Between us we’ve raised £20,000 and we’re still going strong. Altogether we’re running six marathons this year!

Health & Care Marketing Manager Dawn Barstow’s daughter Edie has been keeping herself busy over the lockdown too. With the GCSE exams she’d worked so hard towards cancelled, Edie’s taken the plunge and started her own not-for-profit. Edie’s sewed over 400 masks in 70 different designs, raising over £800 for East Cheshire Hospice. A crafty way of upcycling offcuts and spare fabric!

Dawn’s marketing colleague Lisa Parry has also given back to her community by improving her local beauty spots. With local parks seeing more footfall over recent months, pandemic-driven plastic pollution is on the rise. So, Lisa’s one of over 17,000 dog owners picking up 25 million pieces of plastic litter each year while out walking, through Paws on Plastic.

By bringing an extra waste bag on walks to be filled with litter, Lisa can correctly dispose of it when home and reuse the bag next time.

You can hear more community stories from colleagues on Civica’s Instagram, and read more about Civica’s approach to charity here.