Post on 23-Mar-2022
Partner to the community
01 Welcome02 Our approach03 Making an impact
04 Highlights06 Supporting
disadvantaged adults
12 Increasing access to the arts
16 Cross Partner Project
18 Empowering employees23 Building communities28 Future focus
06Supporting disadvantaged adultsOur support for national charities helps disadvantaged adults across the country
23Building communitiesOur four Community Care Committees support local charities to deliver services to adults in need
12Increasing access to the artsWe support the arts as we believe culture enriches people’s lives and brings them together
Empowering employeesOur Give Get Grow programme links employee volunteering back to personal and professional development
18
Contents
WelcomeDaniel SciammaManaging Director, JTI UK
Karen Reynolds Head of Community Relations, JTI UK
JTI is a leading international tobacco manufacturer, with headquarters in Geneva.
}} We have an internationally diverse workforce of 26,000 people, employed in 72 countries around the world.
JTI in the UK:
}} We employ 625 people in the UK who are based in Weybridge and Crewe or are field based across the country as part of our salesforce. We also have 176 employees at our Manchester Business Service Centre which provides financial processing support to JTI markets across the world.
Welcome to our 2016 report. Our Community Investment programme in the UK is a very important part of our responsible business approach.
It has been great to see the impact of this programme in 2016 and I am particularly proud of the part played by our UK employees who give their time, energy and commitment to help others.
Our approach to Community Investment is to form long-term partnerships with charitable organisations that share our aim: to support those who are socially disadvantaged and to increase access to the arts.
In 2016, we increased the strength and depth of our long-term Community Investment partnerships and encouraged and supported our employees in their volunteering and fundraising activities.
We are very pleased with the progress we have made, but we continue to look for ways to further increase the positive impact our programmes are having on people’s lives. I hope you enjoy reading more about our year in this report.
About JTI
UK Community Investment 2016 Welcome 01
Measuring and understanding the impact of our programmes is fundamental to our approach, as are the people at JTI who work so hard to bring about long-lasting positive change.Charlie Cunningham-Reid, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications, JTI UK
Community Investment enables JTI to help some of the most disadvantaged adults in our society and provides support for arts and culture which play an important role in all our lives.
Community Investment is a key part of our Responsible Business approach, which holds JTI accountable to the highest standards across all its operations.
Find out more about our approach: http://www.jti.com/sustainability
The JTI Foundation is a charitable organisation funded by JTI and based in Geneva. Since its inception in 2001, it has cooperated closely with expert partners involved in disaster relief and disaster risk reduction, and has helped to fund emergency operations across the globe. In 2016, The JTI Foundation had 21 active programmes across 19 countries.
Find out more about The JTI Foundation: http://www.jtifoundation.org
Part of our Responsible Business approach
The JTI Foundation
Our approach Three global focus areas
1. People
Poverty alleviation Supporting less-privileged adults
Adult education Improving adult literacy and numeracy skills
Older people Helping older members of society
People with disabilities Helping to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities
2. Arts and culture
Visual and performing arts Widening access to all art forms
Japanese culture Extending awareness of Japanese culture and arts worldwide
3. Community environment
Natural environment Helping communities improve the environment
Cultural heritage Promoting national and global cultural heritage
02UK Community Investment 2016 Our approach
Making an impactCommunityMark: The UK’s national standard
We have been using the LBG methodology, the global standard for measuring Community Investment programmes, in the UK for more than 20 years.
LBG: Measuring Community Investment
LBG’s measurement framework
InputsWhat’s contributed
OutputsWhat happens
ImpactWhat changes
Proud of our achievements
2014 – 2019 Investors in People Gold standard
2016 Global Top Employer, Europe Top Employer and UK Top Employer
Attained the highest award from the Institute of Fundraising for the ninth consecutive year for our payroll giving scheme
Finalist in the 2016 Excellence in Social Responsibility Award Category
Highly Commended in the 2016 Building Stronger Communities Award for our partnership with Contact the Elderly
Finalist in the 2015 Work Inclusion Award. Re-accredited in 2016 for demonstrating continued impact with Crisis.
We are holders of CommunityMark in the UK, a standard developed by Business in the Community to recognise excellence in Community Investment. The CommunityMark process helps us to improve the way we evaluate the impact of our charitable and cultural activities.
Look out for the CommunityMark icon across this report, highlighting this year’s progress and achievements against our CommunityMark commitments
03UK Community Investment 2016 Making an impact
HighlightsCreating lasting, impactful change
Supporting disadvantaged adults page 09
104,856 vulnerable older people in Northern Ireland have received advice and support since 2009
Empowering employees page 18
20,866 working hours dedicated to employee volunteering since 2008
33% of our workforce regularly give to charity through our award winning Payroll Giving scheme
page 10
104 friendship groups established since 2008 supporting
871 older people
04UK Community Investment 2016 Highlights
page 11
5,500+ disabled people were digitally connected in 2016
Increasing access to the arts page 12We have supported
154,707 audience seats at the London Philharmonic Orchestra since 2009
Building communities page 23
32 local charities supported by our four Community Care Committees
Long-term partnerships page 28Our Community Investment programme has been supporting many of our charitable partners for up to
9 years
05UK Community Investment 2016 Highlights
Supporting disadvantaged adultsOur support for national charities helps disadvantaged adults across the country. Through our partnerships, we are:
1 Helping vulnerable people rebuild their lives through adult education and poverty alleviation
97%of homeless people want to work now or in the future*
60%of homeless people have low or no qualifications*
* Based on research by Crisis
2 Reducing social isolation for older people
2 million+people over 75 live alone – almost a quarter of them go for days without human contact*
~1 millionolder people are termed ‘chronically lonely’*
* Based on research by Contact the Elderly
3 Breaking down barriers for disabled people
1 in 4disabled people say they frequently don’t have choice or control over their lives*
1 in 3disabled people have never used the internet*
* Based on research by Leonard Cheshire Disability
Crisis members develop their skills in an IT Class
06UK Community Investment 2016 Supporting disadvantaged adults
Making an impact
Since 2008: JTI has supported
21,461classes for
8,969learners with
5,704accredited qualifications awarded to Crisis members
1,399members have been helped into sustained employment
694members have been given volunteering opportunities
1,693members have been guided into further education or training
CrisisSupporting journeys out of homelessness
Crisis is a national charity for single homeless people, dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. JTI and Crisis have been in partnership since 2008.
We support the Crisis Skylight centres in London, South Yorkshire, Warwickshire and Edinburgh, which offer education, training and employment services to help people find a route out of their homelessness. Crisis members also take part in the JTI Cross Partner Project enjoying access to music and art activities.
Helping vulnerable people rebuild their lives
As soon as David came to Crisis Skylight London, he started to build his CV. His Work and Learning Coach enrolled him on Crisis’ Literacy and GOALS courses. At Crisis’ Employment Platform, David impressed a range of employers and several interviews followed. With Crisis’ help he found a job and a property to rent. He is continuing his studies and hopes one day to pursue a career in IT. With the skills he has gained through Crisis’ support, David is confident that he will never again be homeless.
Going to the courses, my confidence really grew. And I learnt how people go about getting themselves back together again. I saw how people help themselves and open their minds to learn. The courses I did with Crisis were quite inspirational.
David, Crisis member
Finalist in the 2015 Work Inclusion Award. Re-accredited in 2016 for demonstrating continued impact with Crisis
07UK Community Investment 2016 Supporting disadvantaged adults
Making an impact
In 2016:
235older men enjoyed
58,326hours in the Sheds
96%have made new friendsand for
82%of those, this friendship has either improved or transformed their lives
Reducing social isolation for older people
Men in ShedsA creative hub for the older generation
We are developing a new monitoring and evaluation strategy as part of our CommunityMark commitments
After my wife died I became withdrawn and very lonely. Someone told me about the Sheds and I ended up going four times a week. I got a great deal of satisfaction out of it. Now I’m the coordinator for the Chester Shed – it proves it’s never too late to learn and I’m 80 years old.Graham, Men in Sheds participant
Men in Sheds participant at the Crewe Shed
The Men in Sheds project run by Age UK Cheshire is a place where isolated older men can come together to learn new skills, make new friends, and share a joke or two. The Sheds are a little like a youth club for the older generation.
There are four Sheds across Cheshire supported by JTI, in Ellesmere Port, Chester, Crewe and Hartford. These provide a hub for creativity with activities including specialist machinery enabling pen making and wood work. The men also get the opportunity to take part in a wide range of other activities such as cooking and art classes.
08UK Community Investment 2016 Supporting disadvantaged adults
Making an impact
Since 2009:
104,856 older people benefited from First Connect and Advice & Advocacy services
95%of people provided with emotional support reported a substantial improvement to their situation
84%of people provided with financial information or advice in crisis situations reported a substantial improvement in their situation
£6.5 million in previously unclaimed benefits accessed
I found it very difficult to go out and meet people after my husband died. Gary [a First Connect coordinator] was really my saviour. I really looked forward to him coming because he lifted my spirits.Dorothy, 90 years old, First Connect client
Age NI Helping people enjoy a better later life
Age NI is the leading charity for older people in Northern Ireland. Its mission is to help people enjoy a better later life.
JTI supports a Northern Ireland-wide Advice and Advocacy Service and one-to-one specialist support through Age NI’s First Connect programme for older people in crisis.
The partnership has enabled Age NI to widen the reach of its services including ensuring the Advice and
Advocacy Service is available 365 days a year and operating longer opening hours.
JTI has also supported the development of a robust impact measurement process to understand the impact Age NI’s Advice and Advocacy and First Connect services are having on older people by contributing to the costs of an Impact and Evaluation Manager.
We are developing a new monitoring and evaluation strategy as part of our CommunityMark commitments
Age NI beneficiaries enjoying a cup of tea
09UK Community Investment 2016 Supporting disadvantaged adults
Contact the ElderlyTea parties to combat loneliness and isolation
Contact the Elderly is the only national charity focusing solely on combating loneliness and isolation amongst people aged 75 and over. 29% of people supported by the charity are over 90.
With Contact the Elderly’s simple approach of monthly tea parties, the lives of many older people are being transformed for the better.
JTI has been supporting Contact the Elderly since 2008. The project is so impactful that it has inspired our employees to set up their own Contact the Elderly groups at JTI’s Weybridge and Crewe sites.
Highly Commended in the 2016 Building Stronger Communities Award for our partnership with Contact the Elderly
Making an impact
As of 2016:
104JTI-supported Contact the Elderly groups across the country, bringing friendship back into the lives of
871older people
Supported by
1,484volunteers recruited from the local community
93%of participants say they now have something to look forward to
82%of participants feel less lonely since joining a group
64%of participants feel more confident
Contact the Elderly guest enjoying the 2016 JTI Christmas Tea Party at our Weybridge office
When my driver knocked on my door to take me to my first tea party five years ago, it changed my life. Contact the Elderly has given me five years of happiness and something to belong to.Maud, Contact the Elderly guest
10UK Community Investment 2016 Supporting disadvantaged adults
The most important impact Discover IT had for me was discovering a way to communicate with my friends and family via emails. With the help of the staff and resources available, I am feeling confident which is awesome.Razia, Discover IT service user
Leonard Cheshire Disability has been working for 65 years to promote a society where disabled people can live independently and participate fully in society.
JTI has been the long-term supporter of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Discover IT programme, which provides disabled people with the opportunity to access IT equipment, learn new skills and confidently navigate the digital world.
There are 18 Discover IT centres across the UK providing accessible IT equipment as well as help and support. JTI has also supported upgrades and new equipment in 68 Leonard Cheshire Disability residential services, day services and supported living services.
Razia, who has cerebral palsy and a speech impairment, goes to the Discover IT centre in Randall Close. Before attending the centre, she could not communicate with other people clearly, but the Discover IT programme has had a huge impact on her confidence, communication and independence.
A Leonard Cheshire Disability service user using Discover IT equipment at St. Anthony’s Care Home in Wolverhampton
Leonard Cheshire DisabilityPromoting independence through digital skills and access
Breaking down barriers for disabled people
We are developing a new monitoring and evaluation strategy as part of our CommunityMark commitments
5,500+disabled people now have access to the digital world
In 2016:
2,594users felt more confident
99users started work experience or employment
1,531new users joined the programme
Making an impact
11UK Community Investment 2016 Supporting disadvantaged adults
Increasing access to the arts We support the arts as we believe culture enriches people’s lives and brings them together
A Crisis member celebrating her involvement in JTI’s Cross Partner Project, which brings together JTI’s arts and charitable partners and demonstrates the power of music and art
Making an impact
Since 2009:
154,707 audience seats supported at the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Since 2009:
2.1 millionopportunities created for people to access exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts
12UK Community Investment 2016 Increasing access to the arts
LPO Musicians performing with Crisis members as part of JTI’s Cross Partner Project
JTI has supported the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s (LPO) Friday Series of concerts for eight years. Our support has enabled the LPO to deliver a series of accessibly programmed concerts each year, attract new audiences to classical music and offer a discounted subscription scheme that makes attendance possible for those who may not otherwise be able to visit the Royal Festival Hall.
The partnership has also extended to support a range of initiatives that have taken concerts out of the Royal Festival Hall and made accessibly-priced tickets available to thousands of people across the UK.
In addition to extending access to concerts, JTI’s Cross Partner Project, which began in 2012, has enabled the LPO to extend their engagement work to disadvantaged adults. The Cross Partner Project has inspired a new JTI supported initiative which was developed in 2016. The OrchLab project will involve the LPO working with Drake Music, a leading national charity focusing on music, disability and technology, to bring accessible music technology to the service users of Leonard Cheshire Disability. This is an exciting development which we look forward to reporting on in 2017.
The London Philharmonic OrchestraMaking classical music accessible to everyone
The sustained length of JTI’s partnership with the LPO and the mix of projects that we have explored with their support makes them amongst our most highly valued corporate supporters. At a time of unprecedented cuts to public funding for the arts, JTI’s support for our work has been, and continues to be, invaluable.Timothy Walker, LPO Chief Executive and Artistic Director
13UK Community Investment 2016 Increasing access to the arts
The British MuseumExtending awareness of Japanese culture and arts
Since 2010, JTI’s partnership with the British Museum has directly benefited the Museum’s audiences by growing the Japanese Collections, supporting scholarship and widening access for disadvantaged adults.
The JTI Japanese Acquisition Fund was established in 2010 in response to the Museum’s concerns that the Japanese Collections were not sufficiently representative of modern history. Over the past six years, JTI’s support has enabled the British Museum to rapidly and effectively acquire new works for the Japanese Collections.
The Fund has supported the purchase of 591 new works and groups of work. This includes Koya Abe’s seminal series Animism, created in response to the earthquake and tsunami that struck north-east Japan in March 2011, as well as works by Living National Treasure craft artists.
New works acquired by the Fund are regularly rotated in the Museum’s Mitsubishi Corporation Japanese Galleries which attract over 700,000 visitors each year.
Making an impact
Since 2010:
591new works and groups of works acquired
700,000+visitors to the Japanese Collections on display each year
Supported the position of
JTI Project Curator for the Japanese Collections
The range of works added to the collections continues to expand and mature, thanks to the JTI Japanese Acquisition Fund.Tim Clark, Head of Japanese Section, British Museum
Above: Katsushika Hokusai, Sunshu Ejiri. ©Trustees of the British Museum
Left: Koya Abe, After Sunshu Ejiri. © Koya Abe
14UK Community Investment 2016 Increasing access to the arts
Making an impact
In 2016:
5,620people attended lunchtime concerts
600+participants attended concerts as part of Move to the Music
2,917people outside Belfast had the chance to see the orchestra perform
The Ulster OrchestraEnriching people’s lives
The Ulster Orchestra’s mission is to enrich people’s lives through excellence in performance, learning and community engagement, and creative collaborations across the arts.
JTI has been helping the Orchestra to achieve its goals since 2008 through its support of:
}} A lunchtime concert series which has provided affordable access to the arts for members of the community including students and senior citizens}} The Move to the Music Scheme which provides free transport and tickets to older citizens who would otherwise struggle to go to the concerts}} A regional concert series which has taken the Orchestra to Northern Irish towns and cities outside of Belfast
I cannot speak too highly of the benefits of Move to the Music. As a person of 80 years living alone, visits to the concerts are mentally stimulating, enjoyable and socially wonderful!Move to the Music participant
JTI has supported the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) since 2009, helping to ensure that the exhibition programme in the Sackler Wing of Galleries remains diverse and that the public has the opportunity to see and learn about a range of artists who would not normally be featured in a major UK exhibition.
2016 included exhibitions of works by Giorgione, one of the first great painters in the Venetian Renaissance movement, and by James Ensor, a key influencer in the Expressionism movement.
The RA also continued its key role in JTI’s Cross Partner Project
by delivering art workshops to disadvantaged adult groups supported by JTI and hosting visits to Burlington House.
The Royal Academy of ArtsSupporting diversity in the arts
A display of artwork created as part of JTI’s Cross Partner Project, which brings together JTI’s arts and charitable partners
15UK Community Investment 2016 Increasing access to the arts
Cross Partner ProjectCreative collaboration to create new opportunities for disadvantaged adults
Since 2012, JTI’s Cross Partner Project has brought together its arts and charitable partners to deliver art and music workshops to homeless, vulnerably housed, older people and disabled adults. Supported by JTI, taking part in 2016 were the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), Crisis, and Leonard Cheshire Disability.
Mada, Crisis participant
16UK Community Investment 2016 Cross Partner Project
The project demonstrates the power of music and art to inspire, bring joy and make a difference to people’s lives. It provides an opportunity for participants to get creative and gain new skills in a supportive environment. A celebration event was held at our Weybridge office with live performances and exhibitions of the wonderful artwork created by participants.
Making an impact
In 2016:
240+participant places across 47 workshops
Workshops led by
1 2LPO musiciansand
30RA art tutors
120JTI employees involved at the celebration event
Alex Harris, HR Coordinator, JTI UK
17UK Community Investment 2016 Cross Partner Project
Empowering employees Our Give Get Grow programme links employee volunteering back to personal and professional development
Making an impact
31%of JTI employees volunteered during work hours in 2016
2,381working hours dedicated to employee volunteering in 2016
33%of our workforce regularly give to charity through our award winning Payroll Giving scheme
JTI UK’s Executive Committee volunteering at Crisis: Charlie Cunningham-Reid, Nick Craig, Daniel Sciamma, Andy Stevens, Dilek Akin Lokmanoglu, Katya Medvedeva, Jason Melling
Andy Stevens, Head of Sales, JTI UK
18UK Community Investment 2016 Empowering employees
Crisis Classroom AssistantSupporting skills development for disadvantaged adults
JTI employees worked alongside Crisis tutors to support homeless and vulnerably housed Crisis members to gain qualifications in literacy, numeracy and English language, as well as volunteering at other sessions to help build members’ confidence and self-esteem.
Caroline Still, Commercial Finance Analyst at JTI UK, worked alongside tutors at the Crisis Skylight Centre in London, teaching English as a second language to homeless and vulnerable people I really enjoyed hearing about
people’s different backgrounds, why they wanted to learn and what they hoped to achieve. This experience has given me confidence in myself, and I think it will help me communicate better with people both inside and outside of work. I’d definitely recommend it to others who want to make a contribution.Caroline Still, Commercial Finance Analyst, JTI UK
30JTI employees volunteered at additional Crisis events
1,998classes held
In 2016:
25JTI employees volunteered as Classroom Assistants
234working hours donated to Crisis
Making an impact
19UK Community Investment 2016 Empowering employees
Raising funds for a good cause
In 2016, employees from across the country helped raise funds for many of our charitable partners, all of which were boosted through JTI’s fundraising matching policy. Many employees chose to fundraise for Leonard Cheshire Disability by taking part in a variety of activities.
Keith Goggin, Sales Manager UK Duty Free, took up the challenge of a lifetime and ran the London Marathon, raising £3,355.
Employees from Crewe got busy in the kitchen and held a Give & Bake Day, raising a grand total of £950 with their delicious creations.
Kyra Gleeson and Mike Hopes, both from Field Sales Area 426, joined Leonard Cheshire Disability volunteers at the Varsity Rugby Match at Twickenham to collect donations from spectators. Through their efforts, they helped to raise £1,500.
The Area Sales Managers from the Central Division spent a morning volunteering to come up with new fundraising ideas for Champion House, a Leonard Cheshire Disability care home for adults with physical disabilities. The team also spent the afternoon with service users, creating gifts to be sold at the Champion House Christmas fête to raise funds for the care home.
Leonard Cheshire DisabilitySharing skills for new fundraising ideas
The JTI team who came to Champion House were fantastic – they really enjoyed the fundraising session and came up with some great ideas, and they said they would help Champion House to implement them, which is amazing for us.Stephanie Hedges, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager, Leonard Cheshire Disability
Mike Ball, Field Sales Area 423, and Tim Heathorn, Field Sales Area 425, present their fundraising ideas back to the team
20UK Community Investment 2016 Empowering employees
The Big WalkStepping out to support veterans
Over 230 Salesforce employees, joined by business partner Scottish Wholesaler JW Filshill, walked side by side with 51 veterans in the Big Walk, raising funds for The Not Forgotten Association (NFA), the national charity dedicated to providing comradeship and recreation for wounded and disabled service and ex-service personnel.
Over two days in June 2016, the Sales Community Care Committee organised three challenging 10-mile routes in the Surrey Hills, the Peak District and Loch Lomond.
Employees raised £35,825 in donations, and the amount was matched by JTI, making a grand total of £71,650. The donations will enable the NFA to bring concerts to over 65 care homes reaching some 3,250 beneficiaries, and to organise weekend retreats and holidays for 168 individuals – helping to strengthen their sense of pride in individual and shared achievements and replace the camaraderie of service life.
To all the employees from JTI, thank you for doing this. Your contribution and your hard work will allow us as veterans with disabilities to be able to go on other challenges, other events.Marianna Mitchell, NFA beneficiary
It’s a tremendous achievement for everyone and we have raised a significant amount of money to help so many people who genuinely need and deserve it. I feel really pleased.Michael Polymniou, Trade Marketeer, JTI UK
21UK Community Investment 2016 Empowering employees
Elmbridge Rentstart Volunteering to help house the homeless
JTI employees volunteered their time to help decorate one of Elmbridge Rentstart’s properties
When the Weybridge Community Care Committee’s charity partner Elmbridge Rentstart required a property renovated at short notice, eight employees from five different departments across the business stepped in to volunteer. Elmbridge Rentstart helps homeless and vulnerable people in Elmbridge and Runnymede to access temporary accommodation in the private rented sector whilst supporting them on their path to find jobs, access healthcare and learn to live independently.
JTI’s support of Elmbridge Rentstart extends further than picking up a paintbrush. In April, the JTI Office Services department assisted the charity with their own office move. Inspired by this experience and by the work Elmbridge Rentstart does, the department organised a five kilometre run in Bushy Park, raising £2,318 for the charity.
JTI has done so much more than just give us money…they’re really key partners and we’ve really enjoyed working with them.Helen Watson, Chief Executive, Elmbridge Rentstart
In addition to being a valuable team building activity, which gave us the chance to work with people from across the business, our work has helped another person move out of homelessness.Paula Wood, Commercial Assistant, JTI UK
The events that the Manchester Community Care Committee organise at Age UK Salford’s Critchley House give the older people who visit the service something special to look forward to. Guests enjoy getting competitive so including a quiz or a game of ‘Play Your Cards Right’ is always a crowd-pleaser.
Age UK Salford Organising social events for older people
Becci Howell and Heather Kennedy from JTI Manchester BSC, acting as Quizmasters at the Age UK Salford Christmas party
22UK Community Investment 2016 Empowering employees
Building communities Our four Community Care Committees support local charities to deliver services to adults in need
Making an impact
In 2016:
3 2local charities were supported by our four Community Care Committees
− Crewe Community Care Committee
− Field Sales Community Care Committee
− Manchester Community Care Committee
− Weybridge Community Care Committee
23UK Community Investment 2016 Building communities
The Crewe Community Care Committee organised a tea party in summer 2016 with attendees from Leonard Cheshire Disability Hill House, Contact the Elderly and Men in Sheds. The tea party took place in the garden at Hill House, giving the Committee a fantastic opportunity to bring their partners and beneficiaries together.
Crewe Community Care Committee
Local charities supported
}} ARCH }} Cheshire without Abuse}} Contact the Elderly}} IRIS}} Leonard Cheshire Disability Hill House}} Survive
Nicola Smith, Customer Services Manager at JTI UK, enjoying the summer tea party with guests from Contact the Elderly
The summer tea party gave residents at Hill House the chance to interact with people they wouldn’t usually meet and gave the employees at Hill House an opportunity to speak with other JTI partners. It also gave us the chance to show off our lovely garden, which JTI volunteers help us to maintain!Linda Brown, Service Manager, Hill House, Leonard Cheshire Disability
The tea party was a great success, with lots of interaction between our partners. One success of the day was that Men in Sheds committed to make and decorate a shed for the garden at Hill House, which goes to show the value of bringing our charitable partners together.Trevor Norwood, Chair, Crewe Community Care Committee
24UK Community Investment 2016 Building communities
Local charities supported
}} Age UK Salford}} The Booth Centre}} The Shaw Centre
Age UK Salford guests and JTI volunteers enjoying the festive celebrations at Critchley House
Manchester Community Care Committee
We’ve had such a busy year at Critchley House. We took part in Salford’s Big Day Out to tell people about our services and engaged with lots of new people. Our gardening and writing groups have officially constituted themselves, gaining a horticultural qualification and publishing an anthology as a result; and the trips on the minibus, which JTI supports, are proving as popular as ever with bookings every day of the week!Nichola Swettenham, Centre Manager, Age UK
I am so happy to have found Critchley House. I have made so many new friends and feel that I have a purpose in my life again. I love going on the day trips from the centre and have seen some great places that I would find too difficult to get to otherwise.Elaine, Critchley House service user
Manchester Community Care Committee
Age UK Salford has turned Critchley House from a run-down building into a warm, welcoming and vibrant community centre offering support and social activities for the local community.
The Manchester Community Care Committee’s support for the purchase of a minibus has expanded the services available at the centre to include day trips to local sights.
25UK Community Investment 2016 Building communities
Weybridge Community Care Committee
The Weybridge Community Care Committee has been in partnership with Walton-on-Thames Charity since 2012. The charity is well-known in the local area and one of its biggest projects has been to purchase two adjacent offices in Walton in order to provide secure, affordable office space for local charities. They have named this charity hub Charities House.
Local charities supported
}} Byfleet Care }} Elmbridge Rentstart }} Friends of the Elderly}} RASASC }} R C Sherriff Trust}} Samaritans}} Walton-on-Thames Charity
Walton-on-Thames Charity has really helped us to get to know our local community through introductions to other charities in the area, and through the support we’ve been able to offer for the allotments, food bank and winter shelter.Debbie Price, Chair, Weybridge Community Care Committee
The community allotment project is targeted at vulnerable people who wouldn’t normally get involved in growing food – those facing barriers associated with mental health, disability, isolation and poverty. With the help of members of the community and our corporate partners, we have been able to create a unique growing space where all can enjoy the fruits of their labour. JTI volunteers have played a big part in this project, with 41 employees giving over 250 hours of their time in 2016. We highly value their support.Karen Heynike, Project Coordinator, Walton-on-Thames CharityJTI volunteers hard at work at
Walton-on-Thames Charity’s community allotment
26UK Community Investment 2016 Building communities
Sales Community Care Committee
The Sales Community Care Committee has been in partnership with Kingsley Organisation since 2013. Their contribution to the Supported Volunteering Project helps adults with disabilities to build skills and confidence to progress into voluntary and paid employment, including working at the organisation’s shop and Post Office.
Local charities supported
}} Advocacy Matters Wales}} Chester Aid to the Homeless}} Contact the Elderly}} Crisis Skylight Edinburgh}} Kingsley Organisation}} The Not Forgotten Association}} SHP }} Simon on the Streets
A beneficiary learning new workplace skills at the Kingsley Organisation
I’m very proud to support such an exceptional organisation. The work they do to support adults with disabilities into employment is very special. I’m so pleased JTI employees have embraced our partnership and supported Kingsley Organisation through volunteering and fundraising events. I’m looking forward to seeing how JTI employees will get involved in 2017.Jonathan Sykes, Chair,Sales Community Care Committee
Support from JTI towards the Supported Volunteering Project gives individuals with learning and physical disabilities the opportunity to build self-confidence and skills in a safe working environment. The relationship with JTI goes beyond this support – the team are regularly in touch and we have been lucky enough to have our community rooms transformed by JTI volunteers.Helen Dayson, Chief Executive,Kingsley Organisation
27UK Community Investment 2016 Building communities
Improving impact assessment makes sense for both for JTI and its partners. It allows us to:
}} measure and communicate the difference financial donations make to people’s lives}} understand the unexpected and sometimes unintended benefits of projects}} review and improve ongoing programmes
In addition, it provides our partners with a more compelling business case to attract further financial donations from the private sector.
This is why we have invested significant time and financial resources in 2016 on impact assessment and where necessary have enabled our partners to employ specialists to improve their measurement and evaluation processes. We have also invested in third party evaluation for a number of our larger projects including those with Leonard Cheshire Disability and Crisis.
We look forward to demonstrating our progress in our 2017 report as a result of these activities.
Our efforts in this area are also part of our commitments as a Business in the Community (BITC) CommunityMark company.
Community Mark
In early 2017, we will begin our application to renew our status as a BITC CommunityMark company. This robust process externally validates the quality and positive impact of our community investment programme and allows us to evaluate and improve our work in this area by developing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) commitments for the future.
Future focus
In 2017, we aim to continue to improve the quality of our Community Investment programme through the following initiatives. We will also focus on creating our legacy for the Ballymena community in Northern Ireland.
Impact assessment
78%of JTI volunteers improved their team work skills through volunteering
28UK Community Investment 2016 Future focus
Our objective for 2017 is to grow the skills-based volunteering opportunities that we offer as this has a powerful impact on employee development as well as for our charitable partners. We also aim to involve even more JTI employees in volunteering activities.
In 2016, JTI announced its intention to set up ‘The Gallaher Trust’, a £5 million legacy fund for the Ballymena community following the company’s decision to close its Lisnafillan manufacturing facility in the town.
The new charitable trust will support job creation and skills development in the Ballymena community, along with continuing both the JTI and, previously Gallaher, ethos of supporting disadvantaged adults in the local area.
The fund will be active from Autumn 2017 and will focus on long-term support for a small number of major projects to ensure maximum impact. Its board will include representatives from the local community.
We look forward to reporting on our progress in these areas in our 2017 report.
Employee engagement
Our legacy for Northern Ireland
82%of JTI volunteers said taking part in volunteering activities helped them to improve skills that were useful in their day jobs
29UK Community Investment 2016 Future focus