CSR Briefs: PPDG; Higgs & Sons; Mondelez International

PPDG helping to raise literacy levels

A BIRMINGHAM employment and training specialist is making a New Year donation aimed at increasing literacy levels within the gypsy and travelling communities.

Edgbaston-based Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) has built strong links through a project to help offenders from those communities prepare for employment on release from prison.

Team leader Tina Pritchard, who works with offenders in many of the West Midlands prisons, says that a distinct lack of literacy and numeracy skills is often the biggest barrier to progress.

“Reading, writing and doing basic sums can often be the reason that many of the young men I meet find themselves with a custodial sentence,” she said.

“The idea of buying and donating a whole range of reading materials will hopefully improve the prospects for prisoners on release.”

Tina nominated the charity for support through the company’s Payroll Giving scheme. The scheme, into which employees make a monthly contribution, has recently surpassed the £200,000 mark donating to almost 400 different worthy causes.

Higgs & Sons chooses 13 lucky charities

THIRTEEN Midlands charities are to receive support from Black Country law firm Higgs & Sons.

It has donated £200 to each charity. The list includes the Down Syndrome Association, Birmingham Crisis Centre and Help Harry Help Others.

The donations will come out of Higgs’ community fund, created by the firm’s partners to assist in initiatives across the region.

Alongside its donations, Higgs employees are also working closely with local communities to make a difference. Work includes the creation of a grotto at The Haven Refuge in Wolverhampton and the donation of food boxes to the Black Country Food Bank.

Tim Jones, head of Higgs’ employment team, said: “The 200-strong team at Higgs enjoys coming together to support the local community.”
 

Mondelez volunteers lend a hand at homeless charity

FIVE employees from Birmingham confectionary giant Cadbury’s Bournville base have spent three days serving food to the homeless at SIFA Fireside in Digbeth.

The volunteers from the firm’s Mondelēz International sister company helped to support workers at the homeless charity during the busy lunch period; preparing and serving meals for around 100 people a day. 

Helen Morris, associate director of pensions at Mondelēz International, said: “We were happy to get involved with the project at SIFA Fireside and all felt that we were making a real difference.
 
“The support that the charity gives to people in their local area is fantastic and I’d be keen to get involved with further projects in the future.” 

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