A Red Thread of Solidarity: IBSA Corporate Volunteering

A red thread of commitment and solidarity connecting Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This is what IBSA’s corporate volunteering programme represents as it marks its first anniversary, drawing a remarkably positive initial milestone: over 1,000 hours donated by more than 100 employees who chose to dedicate their working hours to the service of local communities. 

However, this initiative is about far more than just numbers reflecting a concrete footprint on the ground: by stepping beyond their day-to-day professional roles, colleagues across different levels of seniority, locations, and backgrounds worked side by side, fostering authentic human connections and strengthening their sense of belonging to both the company and the wider community.

Field experience has shown that volunteering enriches both those who receive support and those who choose to get involved. In Switzerland, home to IBSA’s Headquarters, volunteers shared moments of genuine closeness at the Fondazione Don Guanella, an institution dedicated to supporting young people and adults with disabilities. Here, the true value of the experience was found in the simplicity of small daily gestures.  

Mara Pastorella, Reception Officer says: “Sharing lunch with the guests gifted us a warm and enthusiastic welcome. It is an experience that opens your eyes to realities that are incredibly close to us, yet which we often risk overlooking.”

Stepping out of the daily routine to connect with others was also at the heart of activities in Italy during the Medicines Collection Day, an annual solidarity event organised by the Banco Farmaceutico Foundation to donate over-the-counter medicines to people living in poverty. The impact turned into a spontaneous chain of generosity. Laura Tanzini, Jr Regulatory Affairs Specialist, reflects: “I was struck by the inspiring power of leading by example. Seeing initially hesitant customers join the collection simply by observing the gesture of other donors has given me a renewed sense of trust in others.” 

This relational dimension also translated into an opportunity for professional growth, as highlighted by Raffaele Mangano, Jr Regulatory Affairs Specialist: “Managing the activity independently allowed me to refine my communication and interpersonal skills outside the usual working environment. It is the most effective way to give concrete expression to the company's social responsibility values.” 

The same spirit of participation was felt in the United States, where the volunteering programme generated value both for local communities and for the IBSA team. 

At the beginning of the year, the IBSA USA team collaborated with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild the home of a family in need. This collaborative, hands-on activity gave the team a deep sense of accomplishment, strengthening group cohesion and filling the entire subsidiary with pride at having contributed to tangible change.

Alongside initiatives dedicated to people, the programme championed environmental protection projects, confirming the vital link between sustainability, inclusion, and community well-being.

In Switzerland, at the Pro Natura Lake Muzzano Nature Reserve, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to protect local biodiversity, removing invasive species and planting flowers to support bee populations. Sara Lanzarini, Sr QC Analysis Technician, explains: “Joining forces to protect the planet made me feel like an active part of something bigger. Observing the inner workings of a beehive up close was fascinating, but the true reward was feeling part of a cohesive team, united by a common purpose.” 

The same constructive energy drove the IBSA UK&I team to renew its support for Dig Deep, a Watford and Three Rivers Trust (W3RT) project that regenerates green areas for people with disabilities. This year, the challenge focused on building raised, accessible planters for wheelchair users. 

For Katie Best, Nurse Specialist Liaison, continuing this commitment “is a true honour that demonstrates how much teamwork can make a difference to a worthy cause.” This impact is made even deeper by the core values of inclusivity and team spirit, as recalled by James Gibson, Product Manager: “Enabling everyone to connect with nature is fundamental. Beyond confirming IBSA's commitment to the local area, this day was an invaluable opportunity to build team spirit away from our desks, breathing in an incredibly positive energy.” 

The success of this first year forms a solid foundation on which to shape the future of the programme. IBSA collected and valued participant feedback through satisfaction surveys, which recorded a 100% approval rate. This feedback helped further refine the structure of the volunteering days, introducing initial briefings dedicated to partner associations and final debriefings to make each experience even more mindful and engaging. From the second half of 2026 onward, the project's growth will focus on three main areas: 

• Internal inclusion and accessibility: To ensure maximum participation – even for those working in operational departments with demanding shifts patterns – activities will be planned well in advance. 

• High-quality selection and partnerships: IBSA aims to build increasingly transparent, long-lasting relationships with local associations. Consequently, it has refined its partner selection criteria to collaborate exclusively with well-structured organisations equipped to welcome the energy of our volunteers. 

• Global consolidation: With the rollout of volunteering projects outside Switzerland, IBSA’s ESG commitment is firmly establishing itself as a shared culture across the entire Group. 

Corporate volunteering thus proves to be a project that goes far beyond traditional social responsibility: it is a strategic choice that enriches local communities while fostering genuine cohesion among colleagues across the entire Group.