Business in the Community

With 10.9 million over 50s in work - equivalent to one third of the UK workforce - and projections that by the mid-2030s half of the adult population will be over 50, it is essential to take action now and create a workplace where everyone can thrive, regardless of age. Our new guide, "Becoming an Age-Friendly Employer," provides practical steps to build an inclusive and age-diverse workforce. Discover why taking action matters, the business case for becoming an age-friendly employer, as well as helpful tips and a framework that your organisation can foster. Find out more. 👉https://lnkd.in/exhyRvmu #NOWW2024 #AgeAtWork #OlderWorkers

It’s #CarersRightsDay today, marking 10 years since the Care Act 2014 came into force to protect the wellbeing of unpaid carers. ⚠️However, Carers UK reports that over 600 working carers resign each year due to the challenges of balancing work and care. This ongoing issue is further underscored by a recent Carers Trust study, supported by Simplyhealth and BITC, which found that 84% of carers believe that workplaces and the government are not doing enough to support them in maintaining their employment. 💡This highlights the urgent need for effective solutions to help carers. Are you an unpaid carer in work? Our Let's Care Together programme with Simplyhealth offers virtual one-to-one befriending to enhance your #wellbeing and work-life balance. Find out more and sign up today: https://lnkd.in/eGDPENYA Please contact care@bitc.org.uk for additional information. #Carers #ResponsibleBusiness

📺 Discover the latest insights from COP29 Azerbaijan. Our #ClimateAction Director, Gudrun Cartwright, reflects on the progress made so far, highlighting key discussions around the just transition to #NetZero, empowering individuals, and the vital role of skills development and financing. As these important conversations unfold, learn how we can support your organisation on its climate journey, no matter what stage you’re at: https://lnkd.in/eJBj5eY5 #ClimateChange #ResponsibleBusiness #COP29

👏🏻 We are delighted to welcome our newest members: Centrepoint, abrdn, and Tandem Bank! 💡 Are you interested in working together to transform lives and help our planet and communities thrive? Join the UK's leading #ResponsibleBusiness network today: https://lnkd.in/eJKmhpFM

📅 Don't miss our exclusive members-only conference, "Shaping Solutions for Responsible Business," on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, in London. Join us for a dynamic day of impactful discussions featuring esteemed speakers who will share their insights on pressing business challenges: ⭐ Baroness Jones of Whitchurch will explore Digital Futures and Inclusion, addressing the opportunities and challenges of a tech-enabled future and how we can ensure left-behind communities benefit equally from new opportunities. ⭐ Claire Camara (She/Her) FCIPD (Chartered Fellow), an accomplished Global Chief People Officer and seasoned C-suite HR executive on our Race Leadership team, will discuss strategies for closing the talent gap and ensuring that young people have the opportunity to thrive. ⭐ Claudine Blamey, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aviva and Chair of our #ClimateAction Leadership team, examines the concept of a just transition to #NetZero and why it matters. This is a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and influence the future of #ResponsibleBusiness - connecting, learning, collaborating, and being part of the change that creates a better future. ⌛Spaces are limited, so register today to secure your place: https://lnkd.in/eASCawNr Verizon, Verizon Business, Sky, PwC, Linklaters, Encirc

⚠️ Around 6 million people in the UK provide unpaid care, often struggling to balance their responsibilities with work. A Carers Trust study, supported by Simplyhealth and BITC, revealed that four-fifths of unpaid carers considered quitting their jobs due to these challenges, with nine in ten contemplating reducing their hours and two-thirds considering a switch to more flexible companies. By not identifying carers, employers risk losing valuable talent with essential skills like time management and problem-solving. However, fostering a supportive, flexible culture can help working carers thrive. Uncover the latest insights in the new blog from our Head of Community Programmes, Ellie Socha, including access to a free employee toolkit and information on our Let's Care Together programme. https://lnkd.in/ekEfEzbf #FlexibleWorking #ResponsibleBusiness #wellbeing

In #Brent, six in 10 ethnically diverse young people have never been informed about employment support during their education. With three in 10 ethnically diverse young people who are not in education, employment, or training seeing racial discrimination as their biggest barrier to work, it’s up to employers to give young people the work experience and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential. To highlight the importance of early interventions in improving social mobility, we brought in C-suite business leaders, in partnership with Youth Futures Foundation and under the leadership of Richard Iferenta, Partner and Vice Chair of KPMG UK, to Brent as part of our #SeeingIsBelieving programme, supported by Salesforce and Linklaters. Business leaders visited Newman Catholic College and Young Brent Foundation. They had the opportunity to speak to those who have experienced barriers leading to low #SocialMobility and heard about the importance of business interventions and partnerships in supporting education providers and community organisations to continue the important work that they do. Find out more about the visit here: https://lnkd.in/eGA6m3w9 Pool Re, VVB Engineering, Verizon Connect UK & Ireland, SNG (Sovereign Network Group), bp, Grant Thornton UK LLP, JCDecaux, Pertemps Network Group, Tesco, Worldline UK&I, Royal Mail, Costain Group PLC. Barry Fletcher / Mary Macleod

🎙️In the latest episode of #TheLensPodcast, host Sarah Travers welcomes Andrew Masraf, Senior Partner at multinational law firm Pinsent Masons, and One Young World ambassador Kagisho Masae, Co-Founder and CEO of Matriclive – an innovative education app revolutionising student learning. 💡Together, they delve into the crucial topic of #SocialMobility, examining how businesses can create fair and equitable opportunities for a wider range of individuals. Tune in to this thought-provoking discussion wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eRzz74tN #ResponsibleBusiness #podcast

Climate action is no longer optional - it's imperative. As COP29 Azerbaijan unfolds, we're here on the ground, gathering diverse insights from businesses, policymakers and climate activists from across the world to ensure that when we return, we can challenge and support our members in making “just” a core part of their climate strategies. Finance will be a major theme of this year's discussions, which are an opportunity to raise the ambition of creating a just transition to net zero. We’re committed to bringing these perspectives back to help our members. Ready to get started? Download our ‘Seven Steps to Climate Action’ toolkit and join us in creating a just, resilient, #NetZero future for all: https://lnkd.in/eWUX6eNh #ResponsibleBusiness #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #COP29

We're delighted to welcome Pete Westall, Chief Values Officer at The Midcounties Co-operative as Chair of the West Midlands Regional Board. Pete will lead the Board in tackling diversity and inclusion as well as inequality and unemployment across the region; focusing on the role of businesses in supporting the skills development of those facing barriers to work and fostering inclusive recruitment practices within businesses. 🗣️ Speaking about his appointment, Pete said; "I’m pleased and honoured to have been appointed Chair of the Business in the Community West Midlands Leadership Board. "The organisation I work for, The Midcounties Co-operative, has been a proud member of Business in the Community for many years and shares its ethos of the role of business as a force for good in supporting the communities where we all live, work and trade. "I know I join all my fellow Board members in thanking Richard Eadie, the outgoing Chair, for his exemplary leadership of the West Midlands Leadership Board – and hope my tenure helps build on that work. “Our focus on supporting and encouraging member businesses in the region to improve employment skills and employability options for the more vulnerable members of society; to foster equity, diversity & inclusion & effectively drive climate action will continue to be at the forefront of everything we do. “All involved should be proud of the impact businesses in the West Midlands have made in these areas, but there is still so much more to do – and together, through BITC, we can all play our part.” Learn more about our West Midlands Leadership Board: https://lnkd.in/eCChVf9T