As a global travel company, we’re dedicated to building brighter futures for the communities we live, work within and travel to.
The Flight Centre Foundation is one way we harness the collective goodness of our people, industry partners, and customers to give back to the wider community. On top of this, any money raised by our people for our chosen charities, either directly via workplace giving or through the Foundation, is matched equally by our company.
This year, the UK has followed in the steps of other Flight Centre Travel Group regions around the world - including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and Canada - in offering our people a day of volunteer leave each year. This is a paid day empowering our people to give back in any way they choose – no matter the scale.
We love learning about the meaningful ways our Flighties choose to spend their day volunteering. Hear first-hand from our people in the UK about how they’re dedicating their time and why giving back is so important to them.
Lisa Leonelli – European Operational Improvement Manager, FCM Travel
Lisa volunteers as a Foodbank Delivery Driver to people’s homes as part of Wimbledon AFC Dons Local Action Group.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inspired three AFC Wimbledon football fans to establish Dons Local Action Group in March 2020, collecting and delivering food to vulnerable and self-isolating residents. Thanks to the huge response and enthusiasm from the local community, the group grew exponentially, adding more collection points across Kingston, Merton and Wandsworth (London).
When asked why she chose this particular cause, Lisa replied “I grew up in a very working-class neighbourhood that was deprived in many ways and saw first-hand how difficult it was for people to sometimes get out of bad situations without help.”
“[After my time volunteering] I come away with the feeling that I have done a really good thing for other people and it just sets me up for the week. Instead of an extra hour in bed or scrolling through my phone looking at the news, I have made a difference to at least three families who are on the bread line or really struggling often through no fault of their own.”
Carmel Ohana – Senior HR Advisor, People + Culture
Carmel spent her volunteer day helping her good friend, Katie's, charity Emily's Star in Milton Keynes, England.
Katie started Emily's Star after her baby, Emily, was born with Trisomy 18 (also known as ‘Edwards Syndrome’) and sadly passed away at 26 days old. Katie has been on a mission ever since to raise awareness of Trisomy 18 and also supports children in Milton Keynes aged 0-25 who fall under the care of the Children with Complex needs nursing team. The charity also provides premature babies with clothing, bonding aids and more via boxes and mini packs across the UK.
Reflecting on her experience Carmel said “It was a lovely day spent with other volunteers, putting together packs that will be so essential for families in those first days after birth.
“I'm so proud of Katie and what she has created, all in her daughter’s name. For me, it was the perfect use of my volunteer day and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside!”
We look forward to all the different ways our people will use their day to give back to the community and the environment.
If you’re looking for a workplace that gives back as much as much as you do, explore our current roles today or sign up to job alerts to never miss your perfect role.