Blog: Empowering Change Through Charity and Community Involvement - Valerie
At 4PS UK, we believe supporting meaningful causes benefits both our communities and our people. Through volunteering, fundraising, and charitable initiatives, our team members make a positive impact while developing new skills, building connections, and gaining fresh perspectives. In this blog series, we share inspiring stories of community involvement and explore how giving back enriches both personal growth and professional development.
A thriving and compassionate community is built on the foundation of both business success and a shared commitment to giving back. We take great pride in our employees, who embody this core principle through their dedication to improving the world. In this blog, we spotlight our employees’ generosity and empathy as they open up about their personal journeys in support of the causes dearest to them.
Valerie Clarke – General Manager
Valerie, a dedicated volunteer whose involvement with Bromsgrove and District Asylum Seekers Support, is an example of altruism and community support within our organisation.
Bromsgrove and District Asylum Seekers Support
Valerie’s commitment extends to Bromsgrove and District Asylum Seekers Support, which stands by asylum seekers housed in nearby hotels. This group provides essential support in clothes, English lessons, recreational activities for children, and more, all aimed at alleviating these individuals’ challenges.
How it all began
As the world grappled with the lockdown’s uncertainty, Valerie and her friends discovered a group devoted to aiding asylum seekers who often arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs. With minimal financial support from the government and forbidden to work, these individuals struggled to obtain essentials like clothing, toiletries, and necessities. In response, Valerie and her community rallied, collecting second-hand and new goods to create a “Bazaar” where asylum seekers could select the items they needed most.
A change in perspective
Valerie’s journey with this charity has illuminated the challenges asylum seekers face worldwide. Her involvement has exposed her to stories of individuals fleeing religious persecution, racial discrimination forced criminal activities, and even women escaping forced prostitution, often while carrying the weight of pregnancy. This firsthand experience has deepened Valerie’s appreciation for her circumstances and strengthened her belief that the fundamental aspirations of people worldwide—learning, working, and safeguarding their families—are universal rights.
How do I get involved?
Valerie’s call to action resonates powerfully as she encourages individuals to seek out their local charity groups and contribute in various ways. Whether through financial support, donating quality clothing, shoes, books, toys, or unwanted gifts, offering time for English conversation classes, sports activities, or simply sharing a cup of tea, every gesture counts.