London City Airport (LCY) has launched a new staff policy that will see all staff ‘volunteer’ in the local community for a minimum of eight hours a year, increasing to two days in 2024.

The implementation of the new staff policy forms part of the airport’s sustainability pledge ‘Helping East London Grow and Prosper’.

This announcement follows LCY staff recently completing its summer ‘volunteering fortnight’ in the local community, supporting a number of charities, food banks, educational programmes in schools and mentoring students.

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This summer, LCY staff volunteered for the Ahoy centre, a local water sports charity in one of London’s most deprived communities, with different jobs – including cleaning walkways, the decking area and gardening. Ahoy runs activities including rowing and sailing for disadvantaged and at-risk young people.

Staff also supported Redbridge foodbank in giving out nutritionally balanced emergency food to people in need, and Little Village – a Hackney-based charity that supports families with children under five living in poverty across London – to provide essential items like clothes, shoes, cots, nappies, toiletries, buggies and toys to those needing extra support.

In addition, staff helped the Community Food Enterprise prepare food parcels for customers and served as drivers’ assistants while they undertook food drop-offs.

Michael Spiers, Chief People Officer, London City Airport, said: “As one of the largest employers in the local area, we are committed to giving back and making positive contributions to our local community.

“Our improved volunteering policy will allow our staff to spend more time helping people and charities in our local community, which is really important to us at London City Airport.”