So, I had to shut the office yesterday and send the staff home. We are quite close to Hatton Garden, and the rumour was that the rioters fancied some jewellery to go with their new trainers.
Soon enough, things will return to normal. And then the discussions will start. Who is to blame? How can we fix this? I predict much heat, but not a lot of light.
What I am interested in is what I can do, as an employer and as a Londoner. And, strangely, I feel quite clear about it. Here goes…
I think that disconnection from society, a feeling of being cut completely adrift, (including by inadequate parents and education) is far more responsible for the gang culture which is at the root of the London disturbances than anything else. And this can only be solved by people reaching out – one by one – to young people before they get to that stage. I have written before about CSR and community engagement. The wonderful Chance UK charity mentoring kids away from trouble, or reading in primary schools. Don’t expect the state to do it. It can’t, and anyway the state and the expectations it has generated are at least as much part of the problem as the solution. If we want people to respect and participate in society, then society needs to return the favour. That does not mean social workers and the police. It means you and me. So, employers reading this, encourage and support your staff to do exactly that through making space and time for them to volunteer. More edgy than pro-bono work as CSR, but of far greater social value.
It is put brilliantly in the best thing I have read so far about the riots.
“If you think you are an idealist, get off twitter, put down your placard, stop gazing at your navel to examine your privilege. Put your money and time where your mouth is. Go and volunteer in a primary school and sit with those who are struggling to read, go and become a school governor, go and do a bit of training to become an adult advocate so that when one of these kids goes through the judicial system and their parents can’t or won’t participate in the process, you can be called on to speak to and for them. If you can’t do any of those things, work an extra shift or do some baby-sitting to free up a colleague or friend who can.” Source: Rosamicula Blog
Picture Chance UK Facebook