2004 Big Tick winner
Big Tick winner

Power in Partnership, Highly Commended

Barclays, KPMG, Marks & Spencer, Marsh - Ready to Go and Ready for Work Programme

Collaborative Action Award 2004 in association with the British Chambers of Commerce

In 2002 the 'Ready to Go' and 'Ready for Work' programme was launched by Business Action on Homelessness (BAOH) following research conducted by Bain & Company in 1998, which found that homelessness was seen by consumers as the second most important social issue that businesses should address. It was also recognised that there was a gap as to how businesses could get involved.

Processes

Marks & Spencer pledged to offer homeless people 600 work placements nationally; and KPMG and Barclays have developed a training module to precede placements in order to better prepare participants for their placement.

In early 2003, when it became clear that more resource and expertise was needed to complete the project, Marsh joined the partnership.

The programme starts with Ready to Go, a two-day business-supported training programme preparing homeless people for both a work placement through Ready for Work and long-term employment.

The partnership has been able to use its geographic reach to ensure UK-wide coverage in most of the major cities in the UK.

The in-kind work given by the partnership includes: management time; professional skills; business planning and advocacy work; volunteering; gifts in kind; use of meeting rooms and lunches for meetings.

As well as financial resources each of the companies has shared their knowledge: KPMG contributes their financial and communication skills, produces an e-newsletter and provides financial governance for the programme. Marks & Spencer has devised new guidelines on Occupational Health for placements and guidelines on working with people with convictions and the Communications Director from Marsh has contributed to the overarching strategy and branding of the programme.

Barclays, KPMG and Marsh employee volunteers at the Ready to Go stage of the programme have shared their skills on CV presentation and interview training and Marks & Spencer buddies in the Ready for Work programme have shared their skills on interacting with the public and building participants’ confidence.

Impact

  • Marks & Spencer evaluated their HR processes and has adapted them to give them a more diverse workforce
  • As a result of the collaborations involvement in the programme they have won new business
  • Barclays has developed new business relationships and extended existing ones as a result of involvement on the programme
  • Companies involved in the programme report improved staff retention rates, improved communication and team working skills
  • The programme has been adapted to support other areas of society.

Bookmark this page with: