Bringing Diversity and Inclusion to life

At Scentre Group, we recognise that shared value is created when we support our people to give back to, and have meaningful engagement with, their communities. We create opportunities for our people to give per-tax donations from their pay to charities they care about, and we match these donations dollar-for-dollar. Our people are provided two paid volunteering leave days per year to contribute to their communities in a way that is meaningful.

In 2017, Scentre Group piloted a portfolio-wide volunteering program focused on Diversity and Inclusion. Our aim for 2018 was to drive an increase in staff volunteering opportunities across our portfolio and raise awareness of the prevalence of domestic and family violence. With the 2018 launch of Westfield Local Heroes, our community recognition and grants program, we wanted to develop meaningful relationships with these partner organisations, 15 per cent of whom work with those affected by domestic and family violence.

From September through to November 2018, we partnered with not-for-profit organisations operating across Australia and New Zealand to support our local communities impacted by domestic and family violence. With 196 of our people volunteering, we had a 211 per cent increase from the 2017 pilot program.

Each partner organisation focusses on a different area of support for those affected by domestic and family violence. Our people made a significant contribution, volunteering 1,330 hours to support the vital work of several charities; including Salvos, Good 360, Auckland City Mission and Foodbank.

Volunteering activities included hosting a BBQ for those experiencing homelessness, sorting and packing donated items for distribution to those who need it most, and preparing meals for a local women’s refuge.