Community Foundation Spotlight
Sky Betting and Gaming is a tech and digital company and long-term Members of Leeds Community Foundation.
Holly Straker-Humphreys, inclusion, wellbeing & community senior manager at Sky Betting and Gaming, caught up with TheBusinessDesk.com to speak abou the tech company’s involvement with the Foundation over the last five years and what drives its philanthropic efforts.
Straker-Humphreys explained the aspects of social value which are important to the business: “As we know, society doesn’t operate on a level playing field and organisations have the responsibility and power to influence that. Sky Betting and Gaming is striving to do that in an authentic and meaningful way.”
She highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for all and representation within corporate positions.
“Personally I’m really driven by bridging the gap between all of the exciting opportunities the corporate world has to offer, with people that live in our local communities that may face barriers to employment or might not have access to networks in this world.
“Being mixed race, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to use my position to influence the underrepresentation of black and mixed race people in the corporate world and leadership positions too. It’s hard to be what you can’t see.”
She added that having recognised the impact the pandemic had on increasing the challenges faced by communities across Leeds and beyond, Sky Betting and Gaming has made addressing these barriers a key focus of its work.
“We’ve seen issues amplified by the pandemic, such as unemployment, which has meant we’ve taken more positive action to support this. This year our Leadership Team backed us to create 13 brand new roles as part of our self-funded Kickstart scheme, for young people in our local community at risk of long-term unemployment.”
Talking about the Community Foundation Straker-Humphreys said that the organisation’s approach makes “it simple yet impactful for any organisation looking to better engage with the community or give back.”
She added: “With so many social and societal challenges, it can be hard to know where to start but the vast work of the Foundation means you can contribute to a meaningful impact across a number of strong causes.”
“Becoming a member is a really great way to get involved and get to know the work of the Foundation.”
Leeds Community Foundation creates opportunities for all by working with partners to make a positive impact within communities across Leeds and Bradford. We do this by generating and investing philanthropic giving as well as maximising statutory funding to deliver grants and provide trusted expertise into Community Organisations, benefitting thousands of local people.
