Charities
Social and ethical issues matter to us. Where there are those less fortunate than us – wherever they are in the world – we have a duty to help them.
Through the Lloyd’s Charities Trust, for example, we contribute to the work of FARM-Africa in southern Sudan. Recovering from two decades of civil war, communities here lack the knowledge and tools they need to farm for themselves, and need assistance. Support from Lloyd’s Charities Trust is enabling the charity to implement a project to provide households with access to clean water, high yield seed and agricultural tools – and help replenish their herds of livestock. This year, we’ve already made a difference to thousands of households.
Closer to home, we have partnerships with Coram, the oldest children’s charity in the UK, helping to transform the lives of vulnerable children, young people and their families. Recently, our support has helped set up a unique adoption and fostering initiative that helps babies whose parents may have drug, alcohol or mental health problems that could place the child at risk. We also have an established partnership with the Samaritans, who provide confidential and emotional support to anyone who’s experiencing distress or despair.
For more than 200 years, we have also, through the Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund, provided financial assistance to former servicemen and women, as well as their widows and dependants.
Voluntary work
We’re always striving to give our people opportunities to fulfil themselves both in and outside of work. That’s why we encourage everyone here to take up to three paid days a year to help a good cause. In 2008, over 940 volunteers took part in more than 1,000 volunteering opportunities.
There’s much to get involved in. You could work with schools in poorer areas of the city: perhaps helping children with their reading, or refereeing a football match. You could take part in employability skills workshops to help prepare young people for the world of work. You might even get involved in renovating their playground or redecorating classrooms.
Suffice to say, whatever your interest, there’s something here to interest you.
The environment
Many companies talk of their commitment to the environment. And yes, we too are committed to cutting our own carbon emissions and improving the environment through recycling and reducing how much energy we use. It’s something we feel strongly about, not least because environmental issues affect us all.
But we also go one step further. We believe the environment is an issue that needs to be fully and urgently considered – which is why, through our thought leadership programme called 360 Risk Insight, we are bringing together the views of the world’s leading business, academic and insurance experts to generate important discussion on how today’s businesses can manage emerging risks such as climate change, liability, terrorism and political instability.
