York Cares has appointed Jamie Kew-Robson, Head of Assurance at Aviva UK, as new Chair of the employee-volunteering charity.
With over 26 years’ experience within the financial services industry, Jamie currently leads the Assurance function in Aviva’s UK Insurance business. He takes over the position of Chair from Louise Soulsby, UK Communications Lead at Aviva UK, who is stepping down after two years in the role but will remain as a Director.
Jamie Kew-Robson said: “York Cares makes a huge difference in the community, while also benefiting those who volunteer and see the positive effect their time can have personally. I am delighted to have been appointed Chair and feel privileged to be involved with such an amazing charity that brings employers, employees and businesses together to make a positive impact in the City.”
York Cares is supported by the city’s businesses, who encourage their staff to volunteer their time and skills for the benefit of the city, with the aim of making York a better place to live and work. In return the employees benefit from personal and professional development including teambuilding and leadership skills.
Departing Chair Louise Soulsby said: “York Cares is such a simple name, but it conveys so much, as it is the essence of what this wonderful charity does. I feel very privileged to have been a York Cares Chair and bring people together to make a difference to our local community.”
Programmes from York Cares include Environment & Sustainability to arrange practical activities for the benefit of the environment and the long-term sustainability of the city; Aspirations which provides employability support to raise aspirations and enable people from all backgrounds and abilities to reach their full potential and Social Connections which contributes to the wellbeing of older people in York.
The charity recently completed its latest Big Community Challenge across several of York’s wetland areas in June, engaging almost 600 volunteers from 19 employers across the city over 45 volunteering sessions. The challenge saw teams work together to preserve and improve biodiversity in the city, by creating bog gardens, ponds and wildflower areas, planting reeds and improving riverbanks.
