Making a bigger difference
Giving back to the communities in which we live and work has always been important to us.
Two years ago we set up the IRESS Foundation as a way to more formally recognise the significant efforts of our team and collectively make a bigger difference where we could. Since then we’ve committed our support to a wide range of causes from health and homelessness, to social issues and unemployment, and found ways to give our time and skills in other areas - like sharing our enthusiasm for technology through educational projects. This is a compilation of the highlights of the great work that’s happened so far.
IRESS Opportunity Initiatives
A safe family, a home, good health, access to quality food and an education are all foundations for making the most of the opportunities that we hope life will bring.
Through the IRESS Opportunity Initiatives we establish a long-term relationship with a regional community service initiative that focuses on those where family, health, education or welfare is at risk.
By giving our support we hope beneficiaries can make the best of their opportunities in life.
"Through the IRESS Foundation, we are able to have a really positive impact on those in our communities that need it most."
Ed Bangs, Senior Counsel, IRESS
IRESS Matching Initiatives
Many of us have friends or family who have been affected by mental or physical health issues or are passionate about particular social issues. Through the IRESS Foundation Matching Initiative we can support people at IRESS who want to focus on causes that are close to their hearts beyond the local IRESS Opportunities Initiatives.
By matching our people’s fundraising efforts, this year we’ve given an additional AUD $35,000 to worthwhile causes.
“The Foundation is a great way to reinforce my personal values, work with others that have the same values and make a difference to the lives of others.”
Sally Padmore - Client Services Manager, IRESS
Helping our people help others
We give every member of our team three volunteering days of Foundation Leave each year to enable them to support their local communities in any way they choose. With 1,800 people, that’s 40,000 hours of our time we can give back to those that need it all around the world.
“I love working for an organisation that doesn’t just pay lip service to giving back. IRESS makes time for people to give back.”
Jacqui Durbin - Product Manager, IRESS
Providing hands-on and holistic support to rural Australia.
Severe drought and fires have meant there’s been even more call for the services this essential program provides.
As well as rolling up our sleeves to lend a farmer in Mt Sylvia a helping hand, our funding has been used to buy bales of hay to feed livestock and provide much needed water to various farming families across rural NSW.
“Here we have a group of office workers from Brisbane City and they want to show they care by giving up their day to be here to help with the needs the famers have.”
Wayne Thompson, General Manager, Rural Aid
“You read the paper and hear about it on the news, but it’s not until you actually get out here and see it that you realise how much it’s affecting people.”
Tracey Kinsella, Business Consultant, IRESS
Driving positive and meaningful change through the linking of food to important social causes.
Our Sydney team can regularly be found down at the Two Good kitchen ensuring the people in the city who are most in need are fed delicious and nutritious food. But it’s not just our culinary skills we’re putting to good use, our UX and development team gave their time and expertise to deliver new functionality and UX improvements for the Two Good website.
“It’s so wonderful to see everyone coming together for a common cause and having the full support of IRESS.”
Kassandra Hernandez, Project Assistant, IRESS
Helping young people at risk, giving them the courage to grow and reach their potential.
Whether it’s building a CRM system, volunteering at their head office, stuffing Christmas hampers, or taking on the unforgettable Whitelion Three Peaks Challenge, our Melbourne team have combined people power and skills to support this life-changing charity.
“The IRESS team has made an overwhelming impact on the young people we work with and we’re extremely proud to be one of the charities IRESS supports.”
Paul Wilkinson - Manager, Partnerships & Communications, Whitelion
“The IRESS Foundation makes me smile from ear to ear. I’m proud to work for a company that wants to give back.”
Lynda Venstra, Billings and Royalties Coordinator, IRESS
Helping everyone get access to the best medical imaging for their diagnosis.
The Cheltenham team has been involved in many activities for Cobalt throughout the year from transforming an outdoor space into a magical sensory garden for the patients to fearlessly taking on the Three Peaks Challenge. And thanks to Cobalt, they’ve given us the opportunity to learn from them with talks at our offices about a range of cancers and prevention.
“The enthusiasm and energy brought by the IRESS team to every volunteering opportunity has been humbling.”
Emma Mortiboy, Project & Partnership Officer, Cobalt
“Getting involved so directly has enabled us to truly appreciate the difference Cobalt’s work makes in the community.”
Jacqui Durbin, Product Manager, IRESS
Enhancing life when a cure is no longer an option.
The Warwick team have supported Myton Hospices for a number of years. They were top fundraisers for two years in a row in one of its main initiatives, the Take 50 Challenge, taking £50 and increasing it as much as possible. And they continue to join-in and help with appeals or events - like last summer's It's a Knockout Tournament.
“As a charity we have to raise £9.6 million to continue providing our services free of charge. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of the local community and organisations such as IRESS.”
Hannah Morris Partnerships Manager, Myton Hospice
"Myton Hospices is a cherished part of our community, and we are proud to be associated with them. With the support of the IRESS Foundation, and the generosity of all of our colleagues, friends and families, we can make a meaningful difference."
Sally Padmore, Client Services Manager, IRESS
Supporting early childhood development in previously disadvantaged communities.
We continued our long-term relationship with Seeds of Africa and schools within their care, like Healing Word and the Klipheuwel Creche in Cape Town, which now has space for 40 children to learn, play and grow while receiving access to food, medicine and specialist support.
"IRESS have helped us to make Healing Word a place of growth and learning for the children - we appreciate every donation so much."
Mama Patience, Principal, Healing Word
“Helping enrich the lives of children is a really soul-warming experience. We are honoured to be involved with these initiatives many of which benefit the wider community.”
Klee Barris, Marketing Manager, IRESS
Code For Change
Building an eco-system of coding skills and digital entrepreneurs in secondary schools to help build a new South African economy.
“IRESS' donation this year has brought coding to Cosmo City Secondary School. The learners have been enjoying learning and this school has been our top performing school in 2018! There are also more females than males in this coding club and we couldn’t be prouder of this result!”
Rachael Pabwaringira, Donor Relations, Code For Change
“The IRESS Foundation has given us the opportunity to make a positive impact on so many great causes. Code For Change is close to our hearts as it teaches kids from underprivileged secondary schools IT and coding skills to develop and encourage digital entrepreneurship.”
Kelisha Panday, Strategic Business Manager, IRESS
Supporting children and youth living with disability, medical complexity, illness and injury.
In Canada we continued our support of Holland Bloorview by helping turn a regular afternoon into a summer fair, with games and activities for the children. And by giving the hospital a fun festive feel by spending time decorating the building for the holidays.
"IRESS truly creates possibilities for kids with disabilities. The involvement from the IRESS volunteers has helped bring the joy of the holidays to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital for the children who are unable to go home. Every time the team is here our kids are able to forget about their disabilities and just be kids again. Thank you!"
Molly McKeown, Development Officer, Holland Bloorview
"We love spending time with both the children and the teams at Holland Bloorview. Being given the time by IRESS to be involved in this community, helping to incite smiles and laughter through ongoing activities is a genuine pleasure for us. It's rewarding beyond words."
Emily Dickson, Business Management Executive, IRESS
Our people across the world.
From jumping out of planes in Leatherhead to helping decorate a homeless shelter in Toronto. The IRESS Foundation is driven by our people’s ongoing commitment to help.
Here's just some of the ways our team have made a difference this year
Making a difference.
“Corporate social responsibility, community involvement, volunteering - whatever you want to call it, is really important to our business. Whether locally or globally, the benefits far outweigh the feeling of just doing something good and I’m blown away by the lengths our people go to make a difference.”
Andrew Walsh - IRESS CEO, IRESS