“Everyone has a responsibility to give something back to the community”
Matt Bray, Managing Director for Paragon, part of Interserve, the international support services and construction group, describes Paragon’s strong CSR ethos and the company’s support for the Colt bike ride and Coram.
What does CSR mean for Paragon?
CSR has always been an important part of Paragon’s culture and this has strengthened since we became part of Interserve and grown in numbers.
One of our core values is our SustainAbilities Plan, which responds to environmental issues, social challenges and economic pressures. We put sustainability at the forefront of our decision-making, which enables us to manage risks and increase our opportunities for growth while supporting the people who need it most.
How do you motivate employees to give back?
Paragon tends to attract likeminded individuals who care about the work that they do and also believe in ways of improving working and living environments for the communities in our local, national and global markets.
We encourage all employees to get involved in community work and fundraise for charity. As part of our company policy, employees can donate one day to a cause of their choice. For example, we support a charity in Whitechapel that cooks breakfast every day for homeless people and which relies on volunteers like us to prepare and serve the food, as well as holding a yearly comedy night to raise funds for charities.
At the moment, we have two new team members via Bromley mencap, a charity that helps people with learning disabilities integrate into the workplace. Not only are they a great addition to the team, but they are also gaining real work experience that will enable them to further their own careers in the future.
Paragon is sponsoring Colt’s Frankfurt to Zurich bike ride, a fundraiser for Coram, a UK charity that supports children and young people from their earliest days to independence, and which is highly respected for its adoption services.
We have been working closely with Colt on the refurbishment of its new offices in Shoreditch and have a very strong relationship with the team. We were very keen to get involved in the bike ride, particularly as my wife and I fostered for eight years and therefore understand the challenges Coram helps to address.
Charities like Coram do significant work for the most vulnerable of children and we are pleased to support it by sponsoring the ride and having some of our own employees take part in the fundraising.
Testimonial from a Paragon rider:
“Paragon has grown significantly in recent years but managed to retain a strong ethos that believes in its corporate social responsibilities and in creating opportunities that support health and wellbeing for others. As a keen cyclist, I was keen to get involved with the bike ride and support Coram’s aim to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children.”
Make Do
18 September 2015
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