Insurance firm turns team building event into creative fundraiser

Philanthropic team building is not exactly a new concept for forward-thinking businesses.

But some embrace the idea more rapturously than others.

Step forward RSA Insurance Group where voluntary work is ‘in the DNA’ of its selfless staff.

The London-based multinational was keen to support a local charity at a recent get-together at award-winning residential conference venue and hotel Woodland Grange in Leamington Spa.

But, with so many good causes in the area needing assistance, RSA was not sure where best to direct its help. That was until the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce intervened.

The team put Woodland Grange and Shine A Light – both Chamber membersin touch and the rest, as they say, is history.

“It was a really nice example of two Chamber members coming together to support each other for an external client,” said Isabel Clarke, New Business Development Manager at Woodland Grange, part of the Make Venues group.

“It’s a great way of maximising our memberships and delivering exposure for a worthy cause and the Chamber itself.

“When we proposed Shine A Light to our client and explained the work they do it was a really easy decision for RSA to make.

Their staff went above and beyond to support the charity.”

RSA produced a range of hampers for the charity to distribute to the 60-or-so families affected by childhood cancers that it supports in Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.

Around 70 RSA employees, from right across the UK, also created carnival games that members of the public paid to play at last month’s Pugstock Street Party in Leamington.

But only after Shine A Light founder Sam Schoolar, herself a childhood cancer survivor, delivered a compelling presentation on the amazing support the Rugby-based charity provides to devastated families when they need it most.

“When I was diagnosed there was virtually no support for children with cancer,” Sam said.

“So, it’s amazing to run a charity that offers help and support to people going through the most difficult of journeys.

“I think the staff found my presentation informative, but also quite powerful. We showed them a few slides about what we do.

“The games they made will be used again and again so it’s a legacy they have left with us.

“Myself and the rest of the Shine A Light team are so grateful for RSA’s amazing support. We also thank the Chamber and Woodland Grange for helping us to make such a valuable connection.”

A balloon pop, plinko and speedway track - like the electronic horse racing versions found at seaside amusement arcades - were among the games created during the day of volunteering. They also crafted several fun games Pugstock attendees could play for free.

Caroline Cooper, RSA’s Director of Partnerships, said: “Volunteering and philanthropy is in the culture of RSA.

“We genuinely feel as an organisation that we get more by giving our time and money to good causes like Shine A Light. It really does motivate our staff.

“The team were so busy it didn’t feel like a day off work, but I know everyone found it really good fun and rewarding.

“We all have our own challenges and problems. But hearing from Sam, and everything she has gone through to help others, gave everyone a sense of perspective and really focused minds on the task at hand.”

Emma De Oliveira, Lead Partnership Support Manager, and Ruth Poulten, RSA’s Social Impact and ESG Manager, were instrumental organisers and ensured Sam’s fundraising projects were delivered to the letter.

RSA donates £25 to the nominated charity for each employee who participates in volunteering. Money was raised on the night through a raffle that featured prizes donated by Woodland Grange.

Staged during Volunteers’ Week, the team building event was the single biggest fundraising initiative ever held by RSA, yet it formed only one element of the firm’s support for Shine A Light.

In the build-up, kind-hearted staff had coordinated raffles, a savoury bakes sale and other stunts, some to coincide with National Tea Day.

Including match funding, RSA raised more than £3,500 for Shine A Light, bolstering the organisation in its efforts to provide a supportive community for children with cancer and their families.