Centrica group of companies contributed more than £7 million and 13,000 hours of employee time in 2006, in support of community initiatives.

Our employee volunteering programme was launched in January 2004 following trials in Cardiff and Manchester. The initiative encourages British Gas employees to contribute to their local communities both in and out of their working time.

Making community support a way of life

We enable our people to take up to two working days a year to spend on volunteering assignments in their local communities. As well as benefiting local voluntary and community organisations, it also gives employees the opportunity to develop new skills.

Through the initiative, we aim to encourage all our employees to increase their contribution to society. We seek their views so we can understand their expectations and help them make the best of the charity and volunteering activities that are open to them.

We offer support mainly through:

• Volunteering opportunities
• Small grants to volunteers' own charities
• Matching employees' fundraising
• A payroll giving scheme
• Charity employee lottery
• Advice on how to get involved