STAFF at one of the borough’s biggest employers have received a big thank you for making a big difference.

Barclays, which employs about 550 people at its Churchill Plaza offices, in Churchill Way, Basingstoke, where its Asset Finance and Trade & Working Capital businesses are based, has been recognised for its support in the community by Basingstoke Voluntary Services.

Six years ago, Barclays was one of the first to back a ground-breaking networking scheme called Basingstoke Employees in the Community Network, which matches voluntary organisations needing help with businesses offering support.

Since then, 742 Barclays employees have been involved with 51 challenges – giving a total of 5,194 volunteer hours.

This volunteer service ranges from organising a Christmas party for the HomeStart multiple birth families group, to taking elderly residents from the Newman Bassett Day Centre on a day trip to the theatre, to decorating the gymnasium and summer house for SeeAbility Heather House, in Tadley.

BVS chief executive Rebecca Kennelly was full of praise for Barclays’ staff, and presented the banking group with a certificate acknowledging the invaluable help.

She also presented certificates of appreciation to community champion Karen Hamilton and Carmen McLaughlin who heads the community team at Barclays.

Rebecca said: “You do a phenomenal amount. I have to say that there isn’t one company locally that puts in so much effort as Barclays.”

Describing Barclays as a shining example of how businesses can support charity and community organisations, Rebecca said: “The key thing for us is that the network has enabled Barclays to come out and benefit a number of community groups and charities, which ultimately are supporting very vulnerable local people and communities.

“If there wasn’t that will and passion within Barclays to come out and take those activities on, it just wouldn’t happen. They have done a tremendous amount of work in supporting our network.”

Karen said: “Since working for Barclays, I have been absolutely astounded by the Citizenship Programme that is run to support the community – it’s second to none.”

She said employees across the whole bank can take up to two days a year off for volunteering work, and that Barclays offer match funding up to £750 for employees’ fundraising initiatives.

“For example, if an event raised £1,000 we’d give them £750 extra. If it raised £300, we’d given £300,” explained Karen.

“When I learned of this, I approached the business to build up a network of people who would be willing to go out into the community and support fundraising events, and this has got larger and larger over the years.”

Carmen said: “The team has grown with BVS, and we have worked very closely together, growing and supporting each other as we have adapted to meet the current business challenges.

“It’s a two-way relationship and it is a strong partnership – and we have shared our experiences, encouraging others to join the Basingstoke Employees in the Community Network.”