A leading north-east charity is reinforcing the importance of businesses maintaining their commitment to corporate social responsibility despite the current challenging climate in the north-east.
At a time when many companies are facing difficult working conditions, it is inevitable that there will be an impact on charities so reliant on corporate support. This means third sector organisations, like CLAN Cancer Support, must place even greater emphasis on working hand-in-hand with the business community.
CLAN has a permanent presence in 12 towns and cities across north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland, ensuring communities have local access to emotional and practical support for those affected by cancer.
Dr Collette Backwell, CLAN chief executive, said: “Local communities are at the very core of CLAN and we are committed to providing the vital services these areas need to ensure people can access support and comfort at all stages of a cancer diagnosis.
“Like the majority of other charities and businesses within the north-east, the current economic climate has brought its own challenges which we have met, and for us, further emphasises how crucial corporate social responsibility (CSR) is. We are all entering unknown times, however we believe that by working together with businesses and individuals that we can make a tremendous difference in bridging the gap of the downturn.
“In difficult circumstances a greater sense of community often shines through and we are certainly seeing this in Aberdeen and further afield. We are proud to be at the heart of both the city centre community and the north-east and we continue to foster these relationships which are crucially important. This sense of community brings together the business and third sector and naturally leads to us working more closely together.
“This relationship is two-fold and we are acutely aware that the support that organisations can give may be quite different from the support provided two or three years ago. CLAN is committed to continuing to be innovative in how we utilise the resources we have available and I would encourage the corporate sector to work with charitable organisations to think of alternative ways to continue their vital support. It doesn’t always have to take the form of financial help; contributions for example in the shape of time or specialist knowledge given to the charity by volunteers are just as valuable to us.
“The morale boost that being involved in CSR through your workplace can give employees shouldn’t be underestimated. Creating a sense of teamwork and togetherness through being part of a project focused outside of your industry during challenging times is invaluable and benefits both the charity and businesses.”
A perfect example of this in action is Aberdeen-based R2S Visual Asset Management, whose technology, which is usually used to photographically capture and manage oil platforms and crime scenes was put to use to help CLAN.
Perhaps not an obvious fit, the specialist’s vision was to use its R2S visual asset management system to photographically capture CLAN House into its software to provide the charity with the ability to visually demonstrate the facilities that its Aberdeen headquarters offers.
The project was intended to help the continued professional development of the R2S team, keeping them engaged and challenged while demand for deployment was less – whilst also supporting a local charity as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative.
Dr Backwell added: “R2S Visual Asset Management’s proactive approach to CSR during the current economic downturn illustrates perfectly how businesses can utilise the skills of their employees while helping local charities.
“The virtual tour has benefitted both CLAN and our clients greatly as it gives people the opportunity to see the services provided within CLAN House from the comfort of their own home or at an event. This can help them make that first step towards visiting us and accessing our wide range of wellbeing services and emotional support.
“It also has a vital part to play in allowing a number of people affected by cancer from across north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland to get an insight into our facilities before making the journey to Aberdeen for treatment. We place huge emphasis on the wellbeing of our clients and anything that means their time away from home is a bit easier is always appreciated.”
CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides emotional and practical support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.
Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
