Berkeley understands that its people have interests and causes they want to support beyond their day-to-day work and so makes every effort to help them achieve this. As well as providing a Give as You Earn (GAYE) scheme it offers staff the opportunity to use up to five days per year to work on personal projects, such as helping local charities. Berkeley currently has strong relationships with two charities, the House of St. Barnabas and UK Youth, but staff are encouraged to support any charity of their choice.
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Berkeley first became involved with the House of St. Barnabas in 2006. They wanted to work with a local organisation and knew of the House via the then CEO, a client through Berkeley's work in the NHS.
The charity's primary objective is to provide personal support to people who have experienced homelessness. This includes life skills and vocational training, work placements and support in accessing jobs. The Grade 1 listed Georgian house at no 1 Greek Street in the heart of Soho, has recently been restored to its former glory after an intense period of renovation and redecoration, and can now raise funds as an event venue. The House has developed a strong partnership with Quintessentially, which has been very successful to date; a members club operates from the House that provides work placements to individuals on the lifeskills programmes.
Over the years, Berkeley has helped the House transform itself from a hostel for homeless women into a social enterprise, and helped develop new revenue streams, for example defining the strategy and business case for the new events strategy. Support has been practical too: consultants have helped the charity develop their IT strategy, relaunch their website, and source a new phone system and office furniture. Berkeley has also raised funds for the House directly, entering the 2007 London duathlon and hosting a Blues Band Night at the 100 Club on Oxford Street in 2008. Various current and former Berkeley staff now act as Trustees for the charity.
Berkeley has been involved with UK Youth since early 2009. UK Youth is the leading national youth work charity and focus on helping young people to raise their aspriations and realise their potential through the development and promotion of non-formal education programs and activities. Their network supports more than 750,000 young people, 7000 youth groups, clubs and projects and more than 40,000 volunteer and part-time youth workers throughout the UK. Their work can and does make a lasting impact by encouraging young people to take responsibility and become involved citizens.
In recent years, Berkeley staff supported UK Youth in their selection as preferred charity partner with one of the major telecommunications providers in the UK. Consultants were also heavily involved in UK Youth’s Centenary year in 2010, including the planning and delivery of major fundraising and publicity events. A current Berkeley staff member also acts as a Trustee for the charity.