Social

Diversity is fundamental to our business. We operate in many different environments, in numerous roles, for a wide range of clients. To do this effectively we need an equally diverse workforce, and in order to maintain our success we welcome the widest variety of people who have the appropriate skills and enthusiasm.

Once someone is part of the Interserve Group they have the chance to contribute and develop in whatever way their abilities and the opportunities we can offer them allow. We need to make the most of all that our employees have to offer so that we can give the best possible service to our clients and develop our business for the future.

Fairness and respect for individuals creates the sort of positive atmosphere that generates its own success. Our policy supports the fundamental belief that all our employees, including potential recruits, are equal regardless of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, religious belief or any other reason that might be assumed to limit their contribution or potential.

All employees have a personal responsibility for the practical application of equal opportunities, demonstrated by respect for the individual, in their everyday dealings and working relationships with colleagues, customers, suppliers and other parties.

Interserve believes in contributing to the well-being of the communities in which it operates. We have a programme which operates at different levels: at Group level we select a charity every two years and make an annual donation; we encourage business units to run charitable events, either for the Group charity or for another cause that is important to the area or the people involved; and we offer support for employees to undertake sponsored activities.

Our chosen charity for 2010 and 2011 is Help for Heroes who received the most votes in a staff poll to choose our new nominated charity. Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The message of the charity is simple: we are strictly non-political and non critical; we simply want to help. We believe that anyone who volunteers to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, is a hero. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and some of them are living with the consequences of their service for life. We may not be able to prevent our soldiers from being wounded, but together we can help them get better. Help for Heroes have currently raised £40 million, all used to provide direct, practical support to those wounded in the service of our country. Interserve staff are now busy with a programme of fundraising across the UK. Already this year staff have taken part in the Colossal Cake sale, the London Marathon, raffles, coffee mornings, dress-down days and World Cup sweepstakes. A recent Golf Day at the Cumberland Infirmary site raised over £4,700 for Help for Heroes.

Shelter 2008 to 2009

Our previous partnership with Shelter raised over £80,000 during 2008 and 2009. Louise Parkes, Director of Fundraising at Shelter, writes of the partnership:

"From sponsored sleepouts to ghoulish ghost walks, Interserve staff have been dreaming up some fun and extraordinary ways to raise money for Shelter - and you’ve raised £80,000 in the process! This amazing sum could pay to answer 3,265 calls to Shelter’s helpline from people in desperate housing need. You have been helping people like Deborah, who fled the family home with her children after years of violent abuse from her alcoholic husband. Deborah told us how Shelter’s skilled advisers helped transform her life forever: ‘I was no longer struggling alone. Since then only good things have happened to us as a family. I didn’t know at the time of moving to this flat that it would be the start of my life turning around, of discovering what happiness and security could feel like. Shelter, how can I ever forget you?’ On behalf of everyone at Shelter and the people we help, thank you for the difference you’ve made".

Local charities

Beyond Help for Heroes we involve ourselves in numerous local charities in the UK and internationally, both as a business and through the hard work of many individuals who take up causes that are close to them personally or to our clients. The corporate donations and sponsorships undertaken raised a further £130,000 between them in 2009.

In June 2010 Interserve staff at the Manchester Arndale took part in a cycle ride from Blackpool to Manchester raising £2,500 for Key 103s Cash for Children charity.Also in June staff a the Universityy of Edinburgh Main Library completed the Caledonian Challenge raising £4,600 for the Scotish Community Foundation Charity.

We believe we can help the communities in which we are involved not just by undertaking our work responsibly but also by engaging in matters of local interest. Examples of our engagement include:

• Interserve has become a Founding Member of the Transformation Trust, an education charity which funds extra-curricular activities in state schools to inspire and enthuse young people so that they go on to achieve their full potential - no matter what their background. Since its May 2009 launch, over £2m has been committed to the Trust, which is currently supporting four charities working in over 50 Building Schools for the Future across England. Sir David Bell, Chair of the Transformation Trust, said: “ I am delighted that Interserve is joining the growing ranks of our Founding Members. The interest from the private sector - and in particular from companies involved with the national BSF programme - has been overwhelming. The backing of firms like Interserve is vital for the continuing growth of the Transformation Trust as we move towards our ultimate goal of ensuring that schools across the country can access the Trust’s support, so that every child has the opportunity to take part in activities which help them unlock their real talents and potential.

• Interserve was invited to Sketty Primary School to assist the teaching staff with this terms project “ Our Local Environment”. The year 4 children (7 to 8 year olds) enthusiastically received a presentation on Interserve’ Cefn Coed Hospital Phase 1, looking at comparisons between the Design, materials and facilities of the 80-year-old existing hospital and that of the new modern Healthcare facility presently under construction. The pupils split up into working “Design Teams” completed the space planning of a drawing of a blank bedroom and ensuite template. This included the setting out of laminated cu-outs of all furniture and facilities, considering movement around the space where physical constraints such as internal and wardrobe doors, light-switches and windows were located. The finished selection by the pupils was then compared to photos of the build under construction. The solutions offered by the children often fully matched the construction on site.

• Interserve has pledged its support to the Safer London Foundation (SLF), the independent charitable arm of the Metropolitan Police. The new partnership will see Interserve donate £75,000 over the next three years to SLF in return for membership of the Safer London Foundation Club. As Foundation Club members Interserve employees will have access to the training needed for involvement in mentoring programmes run by SLF and will be given the chance to take an active role in the work of this unique charity. Interserve and SLF will be working together on the Aspire Project over the coming months. Aspire matches ex-offenders with mentors from the business world in order to support them into sustainable training and employment. Staff can also join SLF’s ‘Skills Bank’ of volunteers; the charity’s invaluable resource which helps match volunteers with the needs of community-led crime prevention and victim support projects across the capital.