Barclays Mauritius

Involvement in the community

Banking on Brighter Futures

Banking on Brighter Futures is about giving disadvantaged people the chance of better life they wouldn’t otherwise have.  It fits closely with our business, and gives us the fullest opportunity to use, not only our money, but also our skills and expertise to help people out of poverty, debt and disadvantage.  Through this programme we are focusing on:

• Increasing financial inclusion
• Encouraging entrepreneurship and employment
• Supporting access to education, particularly financial education

Looking after local communities

Looking after local communities is about investing in the many neighbourhoods around the world where Barclays has a presence.  Supporting the causes close to home is one of the best ways for Barclays to meet local needs and engage local stakeholders.  Our priority areas are:

Make a Difference Day (MADD)

MADD brings together Barclays Zambia employees and customers to participate in different volunteering activities aimed at giving back to the communities in which Barclays operates in.  2007 saw a record breaking 78 projects with 1,200  staff/volunteers participate in projects that included desk making, mentoring, befriending, renovating of community centres, painting and decorating of schools, hospitals and prisons.

• Health: Diabetes Prevention & HIV/AIDS prevention
• Education: : non- Formal and entrepreneurship training
• Empowerment: People with disabilities / vulnerable persons
• Environment: Land & Marine – Preservation & Conservation

Barclays Mauritius has adopted the fight against diabetes as its flagship cause, given the high prevalence rate in Mauritius, irrespective of class, race and gender.  Indeed, among the adult population, aged 30 and above, 19.3% are diagnosed diabetic, and 12.1% have an impaired glucose tolerance.  In 2006, Barclays Mauritius earmarked around £ 29 580 for 5 initiatives related to Diabetes prevention.
For the World Diabetes Day in November 2007, Barclays Mauritius pledged the sum of
£ 174 003 to the Diabetes prevention cause.

Charity begins at work

Charity begins at work is a vital component of Barclays community investment programme.  At the heart of the community programme is the desire to engage our people and to support them to get involved.  It’s down to an individual choice about who, what and how to help.  The following support is available for Barclays colleagues to get involved in community programmes:

• Rs4Rs Matched Fundraising
  Fund raised through events will be ‘doubled’ by the bank for each colleague up to 3 times a year. Benefits go to the charity of their choice – in line with Barclays policy.
• Volunteering in work time
  Our dedicated Staff get two days off per year to do volunteer work and take part in community initiatives.
• Make A Difference Day
  Once a year, colleagues are sponsored to do volunteering work at the charity of their choice.

This is an annual feature where our employees, their family members, friends and customers share their time, energy and skills with needy persons/groups or charities of their choice.  In 2007, more than 80% have taken part in volunteering activities.