Reed Business Information (RBI), headquartered in Sutton, has donated over £21,000 and 30 staff volunteer days to Horizon – a charity serving the people of the St Helier Estate in Carshalton, one of the most deprived area of the London Borough of Sutton.
Horizon’s community projects include a parent and toddler group, a coffee drop in for local families, a seniors lunch club, and a weekly homework club which are open to all – regardless of beliefs, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and health. They support people in learning, healthy eating, parenting, computer access and provide friendship and a listening ear for those who need to talk. They also signpost to other organisations and Council services to ensure people have access to the help they need.
The RBI Charity Action Group were so impressed by the work that Pastor Judith Smith and her team at Horizon do that it was an easy decision to choose them to fundraise for in 2016.
RBI’s fundraising events included a quiz night, cake sales and a mega raffle as well as a heartfelt pitch to RBI’s parent company The RELX Group which won Horizon a substantial grant.
The money donated by RBI has enabled Horizon to appoint a new experienced youth worker and they’ve already established links with a local Pupil Referral Unit who are keen to work with them. This is going to have a huge positive impact in the lives of local young people and give them an opportunity to succeed at school and find a pathway into work.
It’s not only money that RBI has given, they’ve also given their time. 23 members of RBI staff, including their Executive leadership team, rolled up their sleeves and spent time giving practical help at Horizon’s centre. This has included building paths, a compost heap, painting and decorating, cleaning, laying meshing on grass, and helping serve lunches to the elderly at the lunch club and Christmas dinner. Two RBI staff have helped with Horizon’s website and have serviced the laptops used at the Family Homework Club.
Judith Smith of Horizon said: “RBI is the company that keeps on giving! From adopting us as one of their charities for the year, to providing enthusiastic muscle power to update and decorate the building and providing individuals who have supported our seniors lunch club – RBI and their employees have been nothing short of OUTSTANDING!
“2016 has been an awesome year because of RBI’s support. We, and the local area of St Helier want to thank you for the huge difference you have, and will continue to make in our community – from the children in the Homework Hub, the young people who will have a youth club to attend, right through to the Seniors who enjoy a hot meal every week. RBI we salute you!”
