The Body Shop's 4,500 volunteer hours
By Belle Hann
The Body Shop's bold approach to skin care and social activism has earned them loyal customers and now there is one more reason to love them. And no, it's not another wonderful new body butter. It's the 4,500 volunteer hours they performed last year.
"Community Projects", The Body Shop's volunteering program, commits every staff member to 16 hours volunteer activity. From pampering sessions in women's refuges to lending hands on Clean Up Australia Day, The Body Shop staff are living the creative vision of founder Dame Anita Roddick for 'a company that contributes to and is part of the community'.
"Because our staff is involved in such a wide range of issues in the community through volunteering, they will often draw our attention to other social or environmental issues that are important to them and which may not already be on our radar" says Eloise Bishop, Social Affairs Manager. She adds: "There is a large degree of autonomy within our volunteering program. We do not dictate projects that staff must undertake".
The Body Shop promotes volunteering as a valuable and holistic activity for employees which enhances their strong commitment to social and environmental issues.
The Body Shop staff have supported many organisations through a variety of activities including:
- Providing skin care sessions for secondary school students.
- Delivering Meals on Wheels.
- Preparing sandwiches and soup for the homeless.
- Providing dog walkers for people who are unable to walk their dogs.
- Assisting animal shelter staff with washing and cleaning animals.
- Assisting conservation groups with weed removal and tree planting.
Roddick's little store in Brighton, UK, selling cruelty-free, eco-friendly bath products has turned into a worldwide phenomenon with nearly 2,000 stores serving 77 million customers.
So next time you visit The Body Shop for luscious soap and scents, you might be served by a 'volunteering angel' behind the counter.
Find out more information about The Body Shop's Community Project.