Making a positive impact on people's lives is at the very heart of David Lloyd Clubs. And we don't only do that by supporting our members with their physical and mental well-being. We're passionate about supporting people in the wider communities - and we work together with our team and members to do so.
Michelle Luxford, Community Lead at David Lloyd Clubs, explains the initiatives we've taken over the last 12 months, from fundraising and volunteering to making donations.
How much did David Lloyd Clubs raise in charitable donations in 2022?
Last year, through the involvement and support of our members and team, David Lloyd Clubs has been able to contribute over £1.7m to a number of charities. We've supported causes including Stroke Association, the Ukraine Appeal and Change Please, as well as more than 200 local and national charities. This contribution is just one way that David Lloyds Clubs wants to support the communities we operate in, making a positive impact on peoples' lives.
How important is it for David Lloyd Clubs' members and team members to support their communities?
We create our own communities within each club, and it's good for everyone involved to support communities outside of their clubs – that includes both local charities close to their hearts and national charities.
How do members and team members get involved with charitable work at David Lloyd Clubs?
It's important to us to create a culture that encourages our team and members to play an active part in the community inside and outside of our clubs. We try to support all clubs around the country with their fundraising capabilities. For example, last year the company matched funding that our clubs raised for the Ukraine appeal. In total, we were able to donate £120k to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
That contribution provided food assistance, in the form of hot meals, food packages and groceries. It also meant that approximately 71,300 people could access primary healthcare services.
We've also seen team members fundraise for a number of charities through different activities. For example, members and staff have taken part in a 24-hr Sportathon including tennis, squash, cycling, triathlons, and have run several marathons.
Do you have any charity partners?
Since February 2020 we have been in partnership with Change Please, selling their award-winning coffee in our clubs. Every cup of Change Please coffee sold goes towards people experiencing homelessness and offers them a living wage job, housing, training and onwards employment opportunities.
David Lloyd Clubs is proud to be one of the founding contributors to Change Please and we are their biggest corporate partner. We have raised over £2 million so far, helping 190 people access training, support and/or employment. Our donations have supported training programmes lasting three to six months to help trainees build the skills and confidence to move into employment.
As well as serving Change Please coffee in our clubs, we gifted two mobile coffee vans, used to sell coffee at cultural events across the UK, such as All Points East, Standon Calling and Sports Stadia such as the Kia Oval. In 2022, these dual branded vans provided work experience for an additional 18 trainees, and one van is now permanently sited in Canary Wharf.
Can members of staff at David Lloyd Clubs initiate or suggest charities to support?
Our clubs are encouraged to support local community activity, and that's often suggested by team members or members. We have found that having the freedom to choose causes close to your heart can motivate everyone to play an active part in their community, inside and outside our clubs.
For example, David Lloyd Clubs Newbury raised £40k for the New Life special care babies unit, and the Southern Region in the UK helped to raise £45k through a range of fundraising activities, culminating in an art competition engaging members across the region.
Are there any other initiatives your team members get involved with?
Many of our team members get involved in volunteering in the local community. Last year alone, our colleagues donated 15,396 hours to volunteering, helping the causes they care about the most.
Find out more about environmental, social and governance principles at David Lloyd Clubs.
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