2008/09 community targets
Progress against the targets we set and published last year is as follows:
Target: To achieve take-up of Give As You Earn schemes across the Group to 5% of employees (in countries where such schemes are allowed)
Payroll giving schemes have now been introduced across all our UK businesses, with 3.1% of eligible employees now contributing to Give As You Earn schemes. We are working to increase this number by promoting the schemes through various channels, ranging from articles in internal publications, messages on salary slips and details being included as part of the induction programme for new employees. We are also working towards introducing a Give As You Earn scheme in our business in the Republic of Ireland, where such schemes are also common practice.
Target: To work with health bodies and government departments where we operate to deliver initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of people
We work with governments and health bodies to support their relevant healthcare activities where we can. The key initiatives launched in 2008/09 include the promotion of suncare treatments in Spain and in the UK. Our pharmaceutical wholesale business in the UK also continued to work with NHS Coventry to facilitate the expansion of weight management programmes in independent pharmacies. The success of the Coventry scheme has led to us securing further funding from the Department of Health for five other similar projects. Also in 2008/09 around 600 of Boots UK’s pre-registration pharmacists were involved in community healthcare events around the UK, primarily through working with the Healthy Living Alliance.
Target: To develop campaigns and information that support the public health agenda
Alliance Boots, through its trusted brands and extensive networks, is well placed to provide information on a wide range of public health issues to the general public. For example, in the UK in 2008/09 we continued our work with The Eve Appeal to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and in France, Spain and the Czech Republic, our European network of independent pharmacists, Alphega Pharmacy, ran a campaign on high blood pressure.
Target: To share knowledge and experiences across the Group at a corporate social responsibility meeting
A network of individuals, known as corporate social responsibility ‘champions’, has been established throughout the Group and each ‘champion’ is helped by an experienced corporate social responsibility ‘buddy’. The ‘champions’ met regularly in 2008/09 to exchange information and best practice. In addition, a system was put in place during the year which enables queries to be raised with our corporate social responsibility team, with answers being shared across the network.
Target: To develop charitable giving programmes in each country where Alliance Boots has a business
By the year end each of our main businesses had in place a charitable giving programme. The amounts contributed during 2008/09 varied from business to business, but the principle is now firmly established across the Group. Our people are encouraged to support their business’ charitable giving with their own fundraising activities.
