ERA completes first of a series of volunteering initiatives to support the West Midlands community.

ERA, a UK company that develops and distributes hardware and security solutions for the residential building and home improvement markets, has kickstarted the introduction of its parent company Tyman’s new Volunteering Policy by completing the first of a series of volunteering initiatives to support the West Midlands community.

The team of employees helped to transform Gatis Community Space in Wolverhampton, a former council-run centre and outdoor play space that has been taken over by residents to support local families by providing essential services including play opportunities, education, and food.

ERA bringing people together

ERA’s employees spent the day helping to develop the charity’s indoor and outdoor spaces, which will enable the whole community to come together.

A representative from Gatis Community Space was delighted with the efforts of the team: “I can’t thank ERA enough, we’re a small charity with so much to do on the site so the help was very much appreciated. The tasks completed would have taken us weeks to do on our own.”

The newly introduced Volunteering Policy gives every ERA employee the opportunity to spend one day a year volunteering with a charity or not-for-profit organisation to help make a positive difference, with further events planned for September and December.

Addressing inequalities

In addition to benefiting communities, the policy provides employees with the valuable opportunity to apply and develop their skills and broaden their perspectives, focusing on three core areas: STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths), housing projects for disadvantaged groups, and the environment.

The first area includes supporting initiatives aimed at upskilling and encouraging under-represented people into work through qualifications or projects, work placements/work experience, and soft skills development for a STEM career, including CV writing and interview skills.

The second, housing projects for disadvantaged groups, focuses on social housing for low -income households and families with disabilities, the elderly and military veterans.

The final area, environment, includes addressing climate change and protecting and enhancing nature’s resources for future generations through clean-up campaigns, tree planting projects, the deployment of low carbon technologies, and restoring endangered habitats.

This forms part of Tyman’s Sustainable culture pillar and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 10.2, Reduced Inequalities, by engaging employees and developing partnerships to help address social inequalities across local communities.

Stephen Hopkins, ERA’s Senior HR Business Partner, said: “We are committed to ensuring our diverse talent is able to contribute their best and help create long-term value, not only for our business, but for local communities and wider society.

“The introduction of our new Volunteering Policy is our latest step forwards in achieving this, and it’s fantastic to see the positive work that some of our team have already achieved with Gatis Community Space.”

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