Volunteer’s Week is all about those that dedicate their time for the benefit of others. It’s not just the individual that can stand out, but also teams.

Derby County Community Trust are appreciative of all Trust Partners, who support financially and get stuck in the deep end..

As we celebrate those who best reflect our values this week, it’s important to remember local organisations who we are proud to work with. Being collative in our partnerships, means we are teaming up together to make a difference for the future.

It means we get to work with companies such as PIB Insurance, who have really taken in what we do as a Trust. Whether it’s supporting Santa’s grotto or serving food to those who need a helping hand during winter; PIB have been there.

Deby County Community Trust were first brought to their attention by staff early on, after Neil Howie wasappointed Branch Director in January 2024. Whilst Neil was aware of the Trust, being a Derby County fan, hewasn’t aware of the depth of help, assistance, and education the Trust offered to so many people across the city. Neil said ‘’Pete Collins came in to see us, I think my mind was made up by page 2 of the proposal he was painstakingly going through with me, as all the above things were brought to the fore which I think opened my eyes to everything the DCCT does. It was far beyond what I expected, and I wanted to show our support to the fantastic work they carry out in the City I have lived in my whole life’’.

Neil has noticed just how much of an impact supporting the Trust has had on his own colleagues and staff. ‘’Humbled I think is the word mostly used. To work with and help the people who need it, to see the gratitude of the people being helped and hearing their stories of their past and how the Trust had helped many of them from very dark, dangerous situations, made us all think about how lucky we are to have what we do. To just be able to support something as simple as providing a hot meal to people, something most of us take for granted, certainly to me, brought home the issues which a lot of people face on our doorstep which the Trust offer these truly wonderful solutions’’.

PIB Insurance went along to Community Meals and had a wonderful time, meeting staff, speaking to the attendees, and hearing how the trust helped them. The Santa’s Grotto was rewarding for them, particularly for their staff who put together the water bottles and sweets/toys to give to the attending children. PIB also attended the DCCT Awards night last year, where they joined other local business in our huge celebration.

Being active in programmes and closely working with the Trust is something PIB Insurance staff backed from day one. Neil said; ‘DCCT deserve all the recognition. We can offer financial support where we can, but theseguys deliver the programmes, and do all the hard work. Without being corny, it is DCCT who deserve all the recognition. We just play a very small part in supporting you where we can.

So what does being ‘collaborative in partnerships’ mean to PIB insurance? Neil explained ‘’PIB are collaborative by nature. We have several areas of the business which interlink with each other daily. For us, we value our partnerships be it with our clients, our connections, or our charitable partners. By all working together, we can help raise standards, share best practice, and get the best out of each other and reap the benefits of knowing that both us and our partners are getting the best possible service. We actively encourage collaboration between our clients and help promote this to them each time we meet, and it is important to us as it helps grow our circle of clients as well as promoting what we do to others, including the DCCT’’.

See the rest of our nominated Volunteers!