March was another challenging month as headlines continued to be dominated by the Ukraine crisis, leaving many of us feeling pretty helpless. Some brands were quick to offer some beacons of light with support for Ukraine taking various forms, from major companies halting sales and services in Russia, to pledging donations for relief funds and care packages to Ukraine. We’re kicking off the round-up for this month with some more standout support for Ukraine.
Keep reading to discover our favourite stories for the month and keep up to date by texting ‘Purpose’ to 07367897583 to receive our daily news round-ups
Airbnb to offer free housing to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees & Uber to offer free rides between Ukraine and Polish border
Last year, we put a spotlight on Airbnb for supporting Afghan refugees with free housing and, while it’s deeply upsetting that more people are being forced from their homes, it’s good to see the business stepping up again in March to offer free housing to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, Uber announced that it was offering unlimited free rides along the Ukrainian and Polish border to people fleeing Ukraine.
Learn more about Uber here – https://bit.ly/3Mz5vC6
& more on Airbnb here – https://bit.ly/3putg4v
England removed the names from their shirts in the second half of Switzerland friendly to raise awareness of dementia
In a friendly against Switzerland in March, England FC returned to the pitch in the second half with the names removed from the back of their shirts to raise awareness of dementia. The gesture highlighted how people with dementia lose vital and precious memories and the shirts from the match were then auctioned to raise crucial funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. We love this campaign for its simplicity.
Find out more here – https://bit.ly/3IRWGk8
Boots to pay for team members’ HRT prescriptions as part of menopause package
In March, Boots announced that it will cover the cost of its team members’ hormone replacement treatment (HRT) as part of its menopause support package. Recognising that HRT is not for everyone, Boots has also introduced initiatives to tackle barriers, raise awareness and and support staff experiencing the menopause. This includes work guidance, counselling sessions and access to the ‘My Menopause Centre’. Women make up 80% of Boots’ UK workforce, around 8,600 of whom are currently in scope to access menopause treatment, making this move a great way to show how much they value their people.
Read more here – https://bit.ly/3twupLv
Currys launches recycling scheme for old electronic items
In an effort to tackle electronic waste, Currys launched a recycling scheme for old technology in March, incentivised by vouchers worth at least £5. The ‘Cash for Trash’ scheme sought to reduce the amount of technology that ends up in landfill every year by recycling, repairing and rehoming old devices. Recent figures indicate that there are around 527million pieces of unused tech being stored in homes across the country. As businesses and consumers alike focus on using resources more responsibly, this initiative from Currys is a great example of a business using expertise within its field to find innovative solutions.
Learn more here – https://bit.ly/36qP0HH