Bupa's Executive Leadership Team gets its hands dirty volunteering in Melbourne
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Members of Bupa Australia's* Executive Leadership Team will today launch the company's national Volunteering Program by rolling their sleeves up and getting their hands dirty to help those less fortunate.
The launch will see nine members of the leadership team, including Managing Director Richard Bowden, take to the streets where they will be exposed to some of the realities that face Melbourne's homeless and disadvantaged communities every day.
Bowden said the Volunteering Program was a natural extension of the company's vision to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives.
"As well caring for the health and wellbeing of our customers, we feel it's our role as a responsible corporate citizen to introduce initiatives that enhance the health and wellbeing of people living in the communities in which we operate. It also provides an opportunity for all our employees to get directly involved," he said.
The team's day will begin with an educational tour guided by Urban Seed, an organisation that combines street work with education programs and a strong independent voice on urban, business, social and political issues including homelessness, drug addiction, problem gambling and poverty.
Following the tour, the team will prepare and serve a barbecue to approximately 80 local tenants at Carlton's Church of All Nations drop-in centre. The team will also be on-hand to discuss and provide advice to the centre's clients on securing and maintaining employment.
Their day concludes with the team undertaking an indoor and outdoor makeover of the drop-in centre, including painting, gardening, cleaning and rubbish removal.
"With a good mix of education and activity, this day provides Bupa's Executive Leadership Team with exposure to a range of community needs; it also provides a launch pad for the organisation’s volunteer program, which will enable staff to enhance the wellbeing of those living within their own community," Bowden said.
Bupa employees are eligible to undertake up to two days of paid volunteer leave each year, allowing them to make a contribution to their local community through a variety of activities and organisations.
"The initiative will enable employees to pursue their own areas of community involvement, or, alternatively, they can take part in one of our designated volunteering opportunities with one of Bupa's community partners," he said. "These partners include Very Special Kids, Kids Helpline, the Heart Foundation, Special Olympics, Redkite, Flinders Medical Research Centre and the Australian Conservation Foundation."
* Bupa Australia operates the trusted and respected brands MBF, HBA and Mutual Community.
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About Bupa Australia
Bupa Australia is a leading healthcare provider. With a significant presence in every Australian State and Territory, the company operates under the trusted and respected brands, MBF, HBA, Mutual Community and Clearview, proudly covering over three million Australians.
Bupa Australia is driven by the vision of "Taking care of the lives in our hands" and has the goal of helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives. The company is focused on providing sustainable health insurance and financial services solutions that represent real value to customers, and on leading the industry in the promotion of preventive health and wellness - helping customers to better manage their long-term health.
Bupa Australia's products and services include cover for hospital, medical, ancillary and ambulance services, as well as travel, life, car and home insurance, and retirement planning and lifestyle management services.
As part of the international Bupa Group, Bupa Australia draws on the strength and expertise of a recognised international leader in the healthcare industry. The Bupa Group covers over ten million people in over 200 countries, and provides other health and financial services to many more millions of customers around the globe.