Established in 1973, the aim of the H&H Employee Trust Fund is to support and incentivise the development of the Group’s 330 members of staff, over and above their Continuous Professional Development.
Administered by a board of Trustees led by Chair, Dawn Harrison, and including Non-Executive Directors Steve Pattinson and Lynne Mallison and Company Secretary Margaret Irving, this year the Employee Trust Fund has once again given financial support to help several members of staff achieve their own aspirational personal development goal.
Those working for any of the H&H Group of business are very fortunate that the company is in a position to be able to support its staff in completing professional and personal development programmes which are not necessarily related to their job as it helps build them as an individual.
Very few companies offer this extra dimension of support, and unanimously they all agreed that this is a massive offering and without the support from the H&H Employees Trust, it would have been almost impossible to have completed these courses and their advice is “do not be afraid to apply.” Here are their inspirational stories…
Rebecca Davidson, Creative Designer at H&H Reeds received funding to enable her to complete a mini-MBA in Brand Management, through Marketing Week.
“Branding is where my interest and strengths lie. This MBA has enhanced my knowledge of brand strategy, to be able to create better structured brands and brands that stand out. This would then add the brand strategy service to the H&H Reeds Digital team's offering. We can then promote a complete brand package and keep the entire process in-house.
“I really wanted to further my career and get more skills under my belt, so receiving support from the H&H Employees Trust Fund was a huge bonus as it fast-tracked the course for me. I received the full financial amount I applied for, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about how information is gathered, and what is needed to put a brand strategy together. I really appreciate being able to do this course, and I’m certain it will benefit my career progression.
“I have not had many chances of upskilling at other places I have worked, so I am truly appreciative of the help I have received. I’ve been with the company for two years and feel that the Group is interested in me and really encourages partnerships with its staff. I would like to thank the H&H Employee Trust Fund personally for making this possible.”
Harriet Easterbrook, Digital Account Manager for H&H Reeds received funding to complete a media training course to enhance her animation, motion graphics and production skills.
“The training was a two-day introductory course for Adobe After Effects CC, a program used for creating motion graphics and animated visuals.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity and funding from H&H Group. In the dynamic world of digital marketing, where technological advancements constantly reshape strategies, keeping up with current trends and evolving your skillset is essential. Since then, I have already put my newly learned skills into practice for social media content for H&H Reeds clients, and I am looking for the opportunity to use them more.
“I would definitely recommend other staff members to apply for any training or professional development they would like to undertake through the H&H Group employee trust fund. It’s great that the Group is helping individuals to improve their professional development, and that individuals are able to source the training and apply for exactly the type of training or course they are interested in.”
Chloe Brough, an Account Handler at H&H Insurance Brokers was chosen along with 7 other members from across England & Wales to volunteer in Jamaica on a two week National Federation of Young Farmers Tour.
Chloe’s working programme of educational visits and on-site volunteering included visiting the only agricultural show and a goat farm. She volunteered for four days helping to clear and plant agricultural land, worked with the children at The Mustard Seed Community Centre homes for disabled children who have been abandoned by their families, and at the Ebenezer Rehabilitation Centre which helps men to get back into society after being homeless, in prison, or becoming a ward of the state.
When not working or volunteering, time was allocated to get under the skin of Jamaican traditions, such as taking part in a Patois and Jamaican dance class and learning how to speak Jamaican Slang. Chloe also learnt how to dance Sca and Stir Fry, and how to make jerk seasoning and salt fish fritters.
“I applied to the Employment Trust to help gain funding to cover some of the cost of this once-in-a-lifetime trip, as well as to buy donations for the children of the Mustard Seed Community Centre and residents of the Ebenzer Rehabilitation Centre. The Trust gave me the full amount requested and I also gained sponsorship from HHIB, Aspatria Farmers, Dodd & Co and Paragon Vets.
“For me this was a life-changing opportunity which was only made possible through the support of the H&H Employees Trust, and I would like to thank the Trustees for recognising this and providing the funding to make it happen.”
Recently appointed Trustee, Steve Pattinson, hopes to encourage many more members of the Group’s staff to fulfil their own goals with support from the Trust Fund. “The stories of this year’s Fund beneficiaries show how important this financial support can be in helping people achieve such a wide variety of ambitions, and how much this enhances their skills and their lives.
“We would very much like to see more applying for this fund, and more awareness about the other work that the Trust does. Over the years the Trust has made hardship payments to those in need during the Foot & Mouth outbreak and the two flood incidents in Carlisle. We supported the recent laptop scheme to help parents home-schooling during the recent pandemic, and the Trust has made many individual bequests to help employees in specific circumstances.
“The Trust is always keen to hear about ways in which it can support or assist with any projects or initiatives for the benefit of the Group and its people, and I would be delighted to be approached by any member of staff with ideas or requests.”
