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More than an act of giving, volunteering is a powerful catalyst for connection and collaboration.
For FWD, a pan-Asian insurer with more than 12 million customers across 10 markets, incorporating volunteering into its corporate culture has proven to be a win-win-win for employees, the organisation and the broader community.
The results from a partnership with HandsOn Hong Kong, a charity that mobilises volunteers for social impact, are evident.
Through joint initiatives such as a recent furniture-making for families in subdivided flats and school beautification projects, FWD has redefined what it means to “celebrate living” for both its customers and employees.
Volunteering as catalyst for team building
The partnership's origins can be traced back to a challenge many companies face post-Covid: rebuilding connections among a dispersed workforce.
“We wanted something meaningful that could connect employees on a deeper level while creating a tangible impact on society,” said Julie Chow, FWD’s group chief human resources officer.
It was this vision that led FWD to HandsOn Hong Kong, with one of the recent collaborations being a volunteering programme that united nearly 200 FWD employees.
One team got busy with drills and screws to construct multi-functional furniture from salvaged wood, which were later distributed to families in cramped living conditions. Another group travelled to Yuen Long to paint vibrant murals at the Hong Chi Association’s Morningjoy School, creating a more inspiring environment for students with disabilities.
According to Chow, the experiences fostered unexpected connections.
“Employees who had never conversed before found themselves collaborating, passing each other tools, and building something meaningful together,” she recalled.
Promoting a sense of shared mission amongst its employees is crucial for FWD, as the company was founded with the vision of changing the way people…
