Posted By Gbaf News
Posted on May 26, 2017
Volunteering initiative is part of MetLife Foundation international commitment
Teams of MetLife UK volunteers are supporting Habitat for Humanity projects and Special Olympics events as part of a regional partnership funded by the company’s philanthropic arm, MetLife Foundation.
During MetLife’s UK Community Week activities, teams of ten volunteers a day will be helping with general garden maintenance and replacing the current slippery walkways with safe non-slip decking at Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground in Kennington – a fun and safe place for children with special needs and their families to play. Volunteers will also be helping young people with intellectual disabilities to participate in a variety of different sports at a Special Olympics Sporting Festival at The Copper Box Arena at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
During a second week, MetLife volunteers will be painting and decorating a Housing for Women Refuge in greater London, helping to make the communal areas, stairways and hallways brighter, more homely and welcoming for the women living there.
The volunteering follows MetLife renewing its regional partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) which will see more than 800 employees volunteer for community projects.
Funded by the company’s philanthropic arm, MetLife Foundation projects involve employees working alongside homeowners and community members in Habitat home building, home and community renovation projects in nine countries and Special Olympics events across the region playing sport with young people with intellectual disabilities.
Lucy Shoring, HR Director, MetLife UK, said: “Community Week offers us all a fantastic opportunity to give something back to the communities we work in and staff at MetLife UK are delighted to be able to expand our partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with MetLife UK for a second year,” said Gareth Hepworth, executive director of HfH GB Homes. “Through this event, we are able to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission in London.”
Mary Davis, Special Olympics Chief Executive Officer, said: “This fantastic employee engagement initiative offers volunteering opportunities at Special Olympics competition and Young Athlete events. Each event provides a great chance for everyone involved to do something positive to promote respect, acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.”
MetLife Foundation has a long tradition of supporting initiatives that engage MetLife volunteers in activities that improve quality of life and increase opportunities in the communities they serve.
More information can be found at www.metlife.com.
