QBE Insurance Group is a group specialised in business insurances since 1886 in 37 countries. The QBE Foundation, active since 2011, deals with social responsibility programmes. The commitment of the group's employees is at the base of the Foundation's activity (over EUR 2 million of funds collected internally).
For 2018-2019, the European division of QBE Foundation has chosen partners in eleven countries, including Italy (as well as Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Canada and The United Kingdom) with national associations involved in Alzheimer's research and care and assistance for people with dementia, in order to implement fund-raising initiatives that the Foundation will integrate through various tools.
Federazione Alzheimer Italia welcomed this collaboration, initially providing a training course for the employees of QBE Italy. During World Alzheimer's Month (September) the Foundation organised two volunteer days in which the company employees helped Federazione Alzheimer Italia in its activities. On the occasion of its Christmas festivities, the fundraising organised by the employees continued: They set up a DIY market and a bake sale. At the end of the year, the employees of QBE Foundation really gave their best to support the Federazione Alzheimer Italia.
Thanks to these initiatives and to the hours put in by volunteers, Federazione Alzheimer Italia can continue working on two projects:
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The first is the dental care service in Milan that offers home visits with dentists specialised in treating people with dementia, where the person is unable to leave their home or for outpatient visits, conservative care, extractions, realisations/repairs of mobile prostheses.
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The second project is the helpline, Pronto Alzheimer, which offers support, advice and guidance to people with dementia and their families, throughout the country.
Grant Clement, president of QBE Foundation, said:
"QBE Foundation focuses on collaborating with charities that QBE employees already support in the community. We aim to support projects that make a long-term difference in people's lives and give them the chance to realize their ambitions".
Federazione Alzheimer Italia President Gabriella Salvini Porro said:
"Reducing stigma and increasing awareness about life next to a person with dementia is the first step necessary to share the commitment to realize a concrete project. And our commitment has always been, day by day, to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their families".
When associations and the third sector meet, the results are amazing!