As part of our 70th anniversary celebrations in the UK, we introduced the ‘Caring for our Community’ programme in 2007 to formally encourage employees to get involved in local community volunteering. The programme aims to make volunteer projects challenging, fun and rewarding team activities, which benefit the communities where we live and work.

Around 250 staff – more than a tenth of our total employees – volunteered in 2008, contributing more than 2,000 hours of company to not-for-profit organisations across the UK.

Team Challenges ranged from organising a school fête to setting up an IT suite for a local charity.

Here’s what some of our staff had to say about the experience:

"It's a great feeling to be able to do something positive for the community and it's great that Abbott provides that opportunity."

"Really felt proud of what we had achieved."

"The fact the company donated employee time to participate was motivating and has enabled more people to get involved."