RAYTHEON UK’s corporate social responsibility programme, Forward Steps, is the umbrella for Raytheon UK’s charitable and volunteering activities. Through Forward Steps, Raytheon UK employees have volunteered more than 500 hours already in 2022.

Here, three employees – David, Lesley and Faith – shared why they are embracing the company’s Forward Steps volunteering programme to help their local communities.

DAVID: SUPPLY CHAIN DIRECTOR

When David, director of supply chain, Raytheon UK, saw a call-out for employees to donate items to the ongoing Ukraine crisis, he didn’t think twice.

“I filled the car with food and essential supplies and volunteered to help drive the employee donations to the local collection center in Harlow. This effort means a lot to me. During WWII, my grandparents received evacuees from London who I got to meet as a young child, and I have a strong feeling that this cause is our generation’s equivalent.”

Working as a resident representative for his local town council, David understands the importance of giving back to the community.

“I am site lead for Harlow and believe strongly that the company should give something back to its local community, because it’s the right thing to do and because we can,” he said.

Having supported the most recent efforts to help tidy Harlow Town Park, David said: “At the end of the day you feel like you’ve made a little bit of a difference for the benefit of others, you’ve had some fun, you’ve got to know people better and you’ve had some exercise too. What’s not to like.”

LESLEY: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS AND EVENTS ADMINISTRATOR

Lesley, who leads volunteering efforts at Raytheon UK’s Harlow site, has organised a number of employee volunteering events – ranging from tidying grade II-listed beauty spot, Harlow Town Park, to painting at the local community hospice.

“These organisations rely heavily on volunteers and have expressed their gratitude for Raytheon UK getting involved with different tasks that really needed doing. Not only have we saved them a lot of money, but they have also benefited in the long run from our staff continuing to support them,” she said.

Having grown up in the area, she knows firsthand the impact local organisations have on those in the community.

“I particularly have a fondness for St. Clare’s Hospice as a very good friend received ‘end of life’ care and I just know it’s good to give back in some small way, and it’s what we all should aspire to do.

“The big outcome for me is knowing we’ve helped others that really needed that extra helping hand,” she said.