The Group firmly believes that opportunities need to be created to enable economic growth within the local communities and environments in which we operate. Staff and local offices are therefore encouraged in a number of ways to make a contribution to their local communities.
Within Croydon, where Erinaceous' head office is located, the Chief Executive is a board member of Croydon business development partnership, a public private partnership between Croydon Council and the local businesses within Croydon. Its aim is to improve the local business environment to attract more businesses, creating more employment and economic growth within the town.
The Group is also a member of Croydon Commitment, which funds Croydon Voluntary Action, which aims to improve the property management sector in Croydon, through providing expert advice at board level and sponsoring fundraising events.
In addition, our regional UK offices make donations or fundraise for various charities.
Throughout 2005-6, staff raised funds for the Tsunami Appeal, which were matched by the Group. Staff have also raised around £20,000 for a number of charities such as Children in Need, The Sophie McCready fund, William Syndrome, and the British Heart Foundation.
In recognition of this work, the Group has adopted a charity policy which will match donations staff have made, subject to prior approval to an agreed limit. The charity committee is chaired by the Chief Executive and oversees the Group's policy on charitable donations.
Vital Regeneration is the Group's most significant demonstration of its commitment to supporting communities and environments. Vital Regeneration is a creative regeneration charity established in 2005, born from the community regeneration division of Dunlop Haywards. Managing a portfolio of community regeneration projects that encompass community learning services, youth arts and enterprise schemes and community development programmes, Vital Regeneration works to address deprivation in the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in London. The Group supports the ongoing development of the charity through representation on the Board of Trustees and through the provision of support services, advice and advocacy. Erinaceous recently sponsored the Vital Regeneration Annual Report 2005.
