Social Inclusion

A positive difference

“United Way is a charity that supports communities in need, providing financial counseling, employment training, food and shelter. In Toronto the economic crisis has hit vulnerable people hard and many people have turned to United Way for help.

Through the RSA sponsored employee programme, I got the chance to support the charity’s tremendous work through a 16 week placement. This helped me to developed communication, public speaking and customer service skills. My time at United Way made me appreciate that we can all do our bit to make a positive difference to people’s lives.”

QAPI & Training Analyst,
Canada

As a leading home insurance company facing different social issues in different regions, we have an interest in promoting financial and social inclusion. We do this by creating innovative products and tackling social inclusion issues.

Canada

RSA has a long-standing relationship with the United Way, an organisation working to improve the lives of people from disadvantaged communities. Each year RSA Canada participates in ‘Days of Caring’. Some 50 people donated their time to volunteer at various organisations. Activities include stocking shelves at food banks, helping disadvantaged youths with their homework, assisting new arrivals to Canada draft their CVs so they could find jobs and even organising recreational activities for troubled youngsters.

This year we also launched a sponsored employee pilot project, choosing one person to volunteer on a 16-week placement with the United Way. Ellie Carnevale was chosen to participate as one of the six sponsored employees that make up United Way’s Professional team.

In preparation for the program, Ellie went through a week-long program learning about the United Way. She also received training in public speaking, finance and the United Way’s online tool.

Colombia

In Colombia, we work with ‘Un Techo para Colombia’ a foundation dedicated to providing quality housing for low-income families. Employees contributed $1,765,000COP (around £500) for the project.

Danish Age Association

For the past 20 years we have cooperated with the Danish Age Association, supporting senior citizen initiatives and in particular initiatives which focus on Alzheimer’s disease. Five of our senior consultants in Denmark help by setting up insurance meetings with the Age Association, as well as arranging social events like petanque. Members are given free assault insurance as well as discounted household insurance for those who live in nursing homes.

Mentoring in the UK

RSA works with 'Career Academies' a charity helping to raise the aspirations of 16-19 year olds in the UK through a two year study programme. The charity arranges mentoring and internships for teenagers considering a career in business, focusing on those from a fragmented or non-traditional educational background.

Mentors from our business act as role models, friends and advisors. The mentor meets the student twice a term for 18 months. It is an opportunity to review their progress on the programme and work together on an agenda, as well as preparation for adult life such as creating a CV or understanding business etiquette.

The scheme gives employees the chance to help a young person at a critical stage of their life. It can also help provide valuable experience in developing their coaching, mentoring and management skills.