Roq's Community Ambassadors: Making a difference together

At Roq, charity work is not just an afterthought; it is a core part of our company culture. The charities we support and the community activities we engage in are selected through a collaborative team effort. This ensures that everyone at Roq has a voice in the causes we champion, and it creates a deeper connection between our team and the communities we serve.

Having worked at Roq from 2017 to 2021 and re-joining in early Spring 2024, I am continuously amazed by the dedication and consideration our team invests in when it comes to charity and community work. The commitment of our team and the impactful use of our time and resources make me consistently proud to be part of such a conscientious organisation.

Our Community Ambassadors

For a long time now, Roq has been proud to have a dedicated team of Community Ambassadors representing all areas of our business. These individuals are the heart and soul of our charitable initiatives, working to ensure that we make a positive impact.

Our Ambassadors are committed to representing the wider Roq team in their charitable efforts. They meet regularly to discuss potential fundraising opportunities, select nominated charities, and plan upcoming events. Their goal is to arrange a variety of inclusive events and activities that allow everyone to contribute to causes that matter to them.

The Charities We Support

Our chosen charities and initiatives are as varied as our team. We support a wide range of causes, from local to international, ensuring our impact is both broad and meaningful. Some of the charities and initiatives we support include:

• Local schoolchildren: Providing them with valuable IT skills and funding for essential school equipment.

• South African schools: Supporting educational development by funding school supplies.

• Homeless charities: Hosting gaming marathons to raise funds and awareness.

• Environmental support: Engaging in activities like litter picking to improve our communities.

• Mental health charities: Organising annual walking challenges to support mental health and the wellbeing of our colleagues. – My colleague and fellow Community Ambassador, Rob has recently published this blog piece in which he drills down in to some of these steptastic initiatives!

• Local support: Collaborating with local businesses like Cuerden Valley Park to assist them in various ways.

Charity and Community Events

Over the years, we have hosted a variety of events to raise funds and awareness for the causes we are passionate about. These events are designed not only to generate financial support but also to engage our colleagues and local communities. Some of our memorable events include:

• Music Bingo for CALM: A fun-filled event that combines music and bingo to support the Campaign Against Living Miserably, a mental health charity.

• Annual BBQ: A community gathering that brings everyone together for good food and a great cause.

• Power Up Gaming Marathon: A popular event where participants play video games to raise funds for various charities.

• Charity Matching & Community Days.

• The Defectives University Challenge: an engaging event which we organise, where local teams of students compete to find bugs on specific websites.

In addition to our company-wide initiatives and events, we are proud to offer a charity matching scheme. This scheme doubles the impact of our employees' charitable efforts by matching the funds they raise for community initiatives. Furthermore, we encourage our team to be creative in their fundraising efforts and give back to their communities by offering one paid day off per year for volunteering. This allows everyone at Roq to contribute to the causes they are passionate about, reinforcing our belief in paying it forward.

Protecting Our Planet

Protection of the world we live and operate in may be standard business practice, but to us, it means more. While our business has a low environmental impact, we strive to go further. Our remote-first approach helps reduce our carbon footprint, and for any in-person office or away days, we plant saplings on National Trust land to offset the environmental impact. We minimise waste by encouraging reusable bottles and containers and maintain a paperless office. Partnering with a local company for recycling, we ensure our IT supplies, furniture, and office equipment are recycled whenever possible. Additionally, we are committed to supporting environmentally conscious charities in our community initiatives.

A Team Like No Other

At Roq, we believe that our collaborative approach to charity work benefits not only the communities and causes we support but also our team. By working together as Community Ambassadors, we can make a very real difference in the world around us. Whether through organising events, volunteering, or supporting our chosen charities, our team is dedicated to making a positive impact. We are proud of the work we do and the difference we make, together.

Learn more about our community efforts and find out how you can join the team.