Arco Donates an Additional £64,000 to Support Local Community Organisations and Charities

Arco, the UK's leading safety company, has played a key role in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the company's commitment to supporting the communities it serves has gone further. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and the Arco Community Panel, Arco delivered a programme of charitable support during 2020, with a number of initiatives focused on those needing support due to pandemic. This was achieved through a newly created Arco Coronavirus Grant scheme which made donations of £42,000 to support local charities helping those most in need, all nominated by Arco colleagues.

Arco launched its second Coronavirus grant scheme in February, inviting colleagues to apply for 50 one-off grants of up to £1,000 on behalf of organisations and charities in their local communities. The Community Panel asked that applications were focussed on critical areas particularly affected by the pandemic including support for victims of domestic violence, homelessness, food poverty as well as care homes and charities supporting mental health and wellbeing. After receiving many high-quality applications, the panel decided to award 64 grants of £1,000 to organisations all over the UK and Ireland.

The 64 grants will provide help and support to a number of great causes across the UK. Recipients of the grants include:

• Mental health and wellbeing: Falkirk's Mental Health Association, Scotland
• Victims of domestic violence: Black Country Women's Aid, West Midlands
• Homelessness: Homeless Mobile Run, Dublin
• Foodbanks: Rutland food bank, Rutland
• The care home and hospice sector: Velindre Fundraising, Wales

The company has now donated a total of £106k through its Coronavirus grant schemes following applications made by colleagues.

David Evison, Managing Director at Arco has previously described the Arco Community Panel meeting as one of his 'favourite meetings each quarter.' Evison said:

"These unprecedented times have impacted many people in our local communities and through these grants we are able to help those who need it most. Arco is continuing support local communities and national organisations through our two Coronavirus Grant schemes, and we look optimistically towards a reopened future, following the Government's Roadmap plan to ease lockdown restrictions. We extend our commitment to keeping people safe throughout the communities we serve, assisting in today's wellbeing for tomorrow's future."

Arco continually supports and encourages colleagues to provide their time and skills to local charities and community groups, allowing each colleague an additional two days of paid leave for volunteering opportunities each year.