KC has partnered with Cares, the volunteering programme of Business in the Community (BITC), to strengthen and develop their presence in the Hull & Humber region.

Cares is a network of more than 350 partner companies throughout the UK that address social issues in communities by volunteering their employees' skills and time during business hours.

Hull & Humber KC Cares is the name of the groundbreaking partnership between BITC and KC, designed to build upon the success already achieved by the programme’s business partners through employee volunteering.

Liz Needleman, Regional Director of BITC said: “Cares offers well-established expertise in employee engagement that delivers benefits for companies, employees and communities. In addition to providing a brokerage service for high-quality volunteering opportunities, Cares also campaigns nationally to increase the impact of employee volunteering in communities of greatest need and to address social issues including education, employability and economic renewal.”

Over the last two years, over 300 volunteers have taken part in the Hull & Humber Cares programme, resulting in 2298 hours of volunteering for 92 community groups.

Kevin Walsh, KC Chief Executive said: “We have been working with the Cares team for three years and are delighted to be increasing our support and developing our partnership. One of our aims is to use our business resources and contacts to engage with other businesses to highlight the programme and how they can get involved.

“We are proud to work with a wide variety of community groups throughout the region and want other businesses to reap the business benefits and the personal development opportunities the Cares programme offers staff, which will ultimately benefit businesses.”

Yorkshire Bank is a supporter of the Hull & Humber KC Cares programme. John Rotherham, Business Partner said:"Yorkshire Bank is committed to supporting Hull & Humber KC Cares and has been a supporter for many years.  We encourage our employees to actively participate in their local communities and being part of Cares is an excellent way to help make this happen. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Cares in the future."

Cares works with various community groups across the region including the Ings Resource Centre, East Hull. Sue Wicks, Development Worker from the Centre said: “After many years of working in partnership with Hull & Humber Cares one of the things I look forward to every year is the Cares at Christmas party, which I have taken over 150 young people to, from all walks of life.

“The businesses that organise and run this event are dedicated to giving time effort and energy to an amazing and fun party. A lot of the young people don’t have the chance to get gifts at Christmas and are absolutely amazed when they get a present, selection box and much more. I love to see their faces light up when Santa gives them their gifts. One of the most talked about things after the event is getting the chance to meet the mascots and some of the players from the sports teams in Hull. All I can say is the kids have a ball and the parents are blown away by the generosity of the businesses in Hull”.

To find out more about how to get involved in the Hull & Humber KC Cares programme please call Tessa Wray, Business and Community Co-ordinator on  (01482) 638610 or email:  tessa.wray@bitc.org.uk