How secondments to a charity can benefit the industry

As I listened to “George” explain how sleeping rough and addiction had nearly killed him, I realised that my secondment to CRASH charity was going to teach me more than I had ever imagined.

The Oxford dictionary describes a secondment as “the temporary transfer of an official or worker to another position or employment”, often to expose secondees to a new environment and promote development. Secondments can be popular between business units within a single company, or from one company to another, as in my case.

I am currently on a one-year secondment from leading construction company BAM to construction industry charity CRASH.

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This year, BAM celebrated an impressive 20 years as a CRASH corporate patron, and it is thanks to this partnership that the secondment opportunity was advertised internally at BAM. I expressed my interest to my HR manager and subsequently sent in my CV for the communications and fundraising assistant role. I was successful.

I now work full-time at CRASH and I am a fully-fledged member of the team, while my role at BAM is backfilled. I still have regular catch-ups at BAM to ensure I stay up to date with any business change.

Going from a company of over 6,000 employees to a charity of six was an adjustment at first, but one main benefit has been the insight into each department within the charity, such as financial forecasting – something I would have never seen in my role at BAM. I have loved every moment and it has been a great opportunity to work closely with CRASH chief executive Francesca Roberts.

CRASH unites the construction industry to deliver lasting social impact to homelessness charities and hospices by constructing and refurbishing the buildings they so desperately need. Corporate patrons of the charity, such as BAM, support CRASH by offering professional expertise and construction products, and taking part in workplace fundraising.

The unique perspective gained from working in a charity that is aligned with construction has given me the opportunity to develop my skills while immersing myself in multiple areas of the industry

Before my secondment, having previously worked in construction recruitment and then communications, I was unsure where I wanted to focus my career. I knew how much the construction industry has to offer, and to be able to channel the expertise, generosity and fundraising from those in the sector to their industry charity has been an incredibly rewarding experience.

The unique perspective gained from working in a charity that is aligned with construction has given me the opportunity to develop my skills while immersing myself in multiple areas of the industry. Not only have I gained strong relationships with new companies, but I also have a deeper understanding of the necessity of delivering social value, as well as my own future in construction.

Variety is abundant at CRASH. I have been responsible for leading fundraising campaigns, such as The Big March – a step-challenge that debuted in March and will return in 2023. It has been great to be involved in campaigns from start to finish and, thanks to my experience writing BAM’s internal communications, I was able to create messaging that encouraged construction companies to get involved.

I have loved seeing the result, whether that is colleagues coming together in the name of CRASH or visiting a homelessness charity or hospice that, thanks to the donations and generosity of the industry, will receive CRASH’s help.

Like most charities, the festive period is crucial for fundraising. This December I am managing the festive fundraising campaign for a second time, thanks to a three-month extension to my secondment.

It has been a learning curve to be involved in decision-making and I have grown in confidence because of that

Festive fundraising runs alongside the annual Christmas card appeal and includes CRASHmas Jumper Day and nationwide festive fun runs. It has been great to evolve my ideas from last year and re-introduce our festive mascot… the CRASH robin – who, with a little help from the industry (and a 3D printer) was kitted out with its very own PPE this year!

During my secondment, I have also had the pleasure of representing CRASH at prestigious industry awards, which has given me the opportunity to grow my network with press and industry bodies. The donations raised at award events are an important source of donations, as well as a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness.

I have loved working in partnership with the organisations who support CRASH. It has been a learning curve to be involved in decision-making and I have grown in confidence because of that.

It is refreshing that BAM recognises the development opportunities that a secondment in the charitable sector can offer, and I am confident that, on my return to BAM, I will bring a new insight into social value having experienced first-hand the incredible impact a company can have by partnering with CRASH.