How do you think this programme has impacted Capital One – as a team, with all of the volunteers getting involved, and as a business?
The partnership with National Numeracy has been through a period of immense change. As an organisation, we’ve worked remotely for a couple of years during the pandemic, come back to a hybrid working model, and in-person volunteering hasn’t been able to happen for some time. Whilst there are other programmes we’ve reintroduced, having something new has been fantastic – not just because of its newness, but also because it’s on a subject that many people here feel deeply passionate about.
But beyond that, the impact it’s had on our organisation chimes with the idea of having a “number natter” which was part of National Numeracy Day last year – all across the year at Capital One people are speaking really openly about their relationship with maths and numbers.
I’ve sensed this shift in dialogue and narrative around the whole issue; people want to get involved because they want to support young people and the partnership, but also within the organisation people are wanting to support each other. And that’s just a lovely place to be.
What do you think the volunteers have gained from taking part?
Volunteering is a great opportunity to develop yourself and put skills to the test in a really safe space – such as public speaking, stepping out of your comfort zone, and clearly communicating to a group that you need to adjust your language for.
It’s enabled connection to be built across the business as well – there’ve been people who’ve never connected before because they don’t work together day-to-day, but because they’re volunteering they bond and build relationships.
Ultimately this is about understanding that you can, through doing something quite simple in terms of telling your story, have a really profound impact on a key societal issue.
– Dave Richards
There are going to be young people in the audience that you talk to that will really take something from what you've said. An associate reached out to me to say, “I think you did a talk in my child’s school last week, and ever since they’ve been crazy about maths!”
What would you say to other organisations thinking of getting involved with supporting National Numeracy and this volunteering programme?
Do it! National Numeracy is a fantastic organisation to work with. You are absolutely punching above your weight in terms of the message that you’re delivering, the campaigns that you drive, the way you support corporate organisations – the way that you really listen.
The word that comes to mind is very much partnership. It’s not just “we’re trying to do this piece of work and need some funding to make that happen” – you want to work together to create partnership opportunities, experiences and programmes that meet both of our needs and goals.
If you’re looking to engage with an organisation that absolutely has an approach of shared-value, then National Numeracy should be someone that you’re talking to.
– Dave Richards
As someone that has worked in corporate social responsibility for well over ten years, it means a lot to me to be able to have that two-way dialogue, so that we’re helping solve collective problems.
We’ve been so proud and privileged to be a founder organisation to support the creation of this programme.
