Supporting charitable causes isn’t just good for charities, it’s also good for business, helping to improve employee engagement and wellbeing, as well as your business’s reputation.

SoGlos has supported the Hollie Gazzard Trust as Charity of the Year 2024, so as businesses start to look to the new year and new budgets, we’re rounding up 10 ways local businesses can join us to support this vital work charities in Gloucestershire. , to help end violence against women and girls once and for all.

Protect your staff with Hollie Guard Extra

Providing peace of mind while commuting to and from work, during client meetings and right at home, the revolutionary Hollie Guard app turns a mobile phone into a personal safety device, alerting emergency contacts with just a movement or touch .

Hollie Guard Extra for Business helps companies protect their employees in compliance with Domestic Abuse Bill 2020 as well as showing staff that you really care about their welfare.

For more information on Hollie Guard, see 10 ways the Hollie Guard app keeps people safe.

Sign up for the Women’s Safety Charter

Show your company’s commitment. to improve women’s safety by signing up to the Hollie Gazzard Trust’s new Women’s Safety Charter.

As well as valuable training and guidance from the charity’s experts, the scheme also provides public recognition to companies that sign up, helping them to attract and retain top female talent.

For more information on the Women’s Safety Charter, see Gloucestershire charity launches new Women’s Safety Charter for Business or email [email protected].

Put your CSR budget to good use

For companies that allocate part of their annual budget to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), supporting a charity such as the Hollie Gazzard Trust is a great way to put that money to good use.

Businesses can nominate the Hollie Gazzard Trust as Charity of the Year to provide support throughout the year by donating time, money or skills; undertaking to raise funds for the charity; providing aid in kind; or providing staff with paid volunteer time. Or they could provide unique support for certain campaigns, such as Purple HollieDay.

CSR initiatives don’t just benefit the charity – CSR improves employee engagement, productivity and retention, while increasing customer support and improving your company’s reputation.

Teach employees to spot the signs of abuse

The Hollie Gazzard Trust offers a variety of different workplace training sessions for businesses to help staff understand and identify the signs of stalking, coercive control and domestic abuse.

By teaching employees how to identify these issues, they are much better placed to help a colleague in need in a meaningful way.

It also helps managers recognize these signs and understand their legal and moral obligations to their staff, potentially helping them escape from a dangerous or harmful situation.

Become a business partner

Companies can become a Hollie Gazzard Trust Business Partner for a small monthly fee. The Trust hosts regular business meetings where the charity’s supporters and special guests come together for an informal networking session – with a tasty lunch on offer too.

With representatives from a diverse range of companies participating, including property development, media, insurance, finance, digital marketing and more, it provides a valuable chance to make connections with like-minded businesses.

It’s also a great opportunity to hear the latest news and developments from the charity, from new product launches to success stories and media appearances.

Help eliminate sexual harassment

From inappropriate comments about a colleague’s appearance to unwanted advances at social events, sexual harassment in the workplace is an issue that companies need to take seriously.

The Hollie Gazzard Trust offers dedicated sexual harassment awareness courses that can be delivered in the workplace.

The training course is designed to help employees understand what sexual harassment is, how to spot when it’s happening, and how to intervene and stop it — making workplaces safer and more comfortable for all staff, regardless of gender or preference their sexual

Train your team to become active spectators

Active Bystander training is a powerful tool that can help de-escalate problem behaviors before they reach dangerous levels.

From calling out sexism and misogyny to intervening in a dispute before violence occurs, Active Bystander training teaches people how to intervene safely, not only to protect and support victims, but also to change the hearts and minds of perpetrators.

For more information on Active Bystander training, see 10 reasons to invest in Active Bystander training from the Hollie Gazzard Trust or email [email protected].

Make sure employees can work without fear

One in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime – with 75% of victims of domestic abuse being targeted at work.

In addition to these shocking statistics, domestic abuse costs around £14 million a year in reduced productivity, unplanned leave, lost income and sick pay in England and Wales alone.

The Hollie Gazzard Trust’s dedicated Working Without Fear workshop helps organizations establish best practice to support employees who may be suffering from domestic abuse and stalking – with benefits for the company and the individual. For more information about Working Without Fear, email [email protected].

Create opportunities for team bonding

With a varied program of events throughout the year, from exercise-based challenges such as Walk4Hollie and Zumbathons to pub quiz nights, there are plenty of opportunities for team bonding while supporting work life of the Hollie Gazzard Trust.

Encourage the fear of the team participating in a walk; bake cakes for the office Bake Off and raise funds for charity; or take some time out of the office to volunteer and become Hollie Helpers.

Companies can also sponsor events such as the charity’s golf day or annual gala dinner and give staff a break.

Contribute to your local community

Businesses are often the backbone of a community, providing employment opportunities for local residents, supporting the economy, improving infrastructure and more.

When companies also equip their staff with valuable skills like Active Bystander, they help make their entire community safer – equipping people with the tools they need to identify, stop and even prevent violence and discrimination anywhere would be found.

More people having these skills means more people challenging problematic behavior in a safe and confident way, which can actively help change societal norms and make our communities safer for everyone.