Momentum Support was founded by Colin Maybin in September of 1982. From its inception, Colin has always encouraged a culture and ethos within the company that people and the community in which Momentum Support conducts its business activities are put centre stage.
During 2017, Verona Pentony was given the task to establish a Corporate Social Responsibility division within Momentum Support, with the key objective to drive a business strategy on the following themes, pillars and values: “To operate our business in a way that not only generates benefits for the organisation, but also society and the economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment”.
The senior management within Momentum Support endorsed the Corporate Social Responsibility strategy – “Mission Right Let’s make the Right Choice” – in which they have approved 6 charity partners in areas of Mental Health, Homelessness and Intellectual Disabilities.
Verona has always been an advocate for the improvement of Mental Health, and people’s attitudes to Mental Health issues. She has done this by increasing the importance and awareness of good Mental Health to all stakeholders. In this way, it will normalise and remove the fear associated with Mental illness and so remove barriers and discrimination which can – and does – build up a negative view of Mental illness. Momentum Support creates a safe place to talk about one’s mental health and encourages others to call for help.
In 2019, Ian Anderson, Group Chief Operating Officer presented Verona Pentony with a Momentum Support Recognition Certificate 2019, in recognition of her commitment and achievements. This was echoed by the introduction of Caroline McGuigan, CEO and founder of Suicide or Survive (SOS), and her personal journey with Mental Health and how she overcame the illness and, in the process, changed her life. She was further aided with Robert Carley, who was an invited guest speaker. Their message resonated within the room with this statement: “Suicide prevention – Lets break the stigma around mental health today”.
Momentum Support have developed an excellent working relation with our Charity Partner Suicide or Survive (SOS). Further successful community engagement and team work has been encouraged with a positive and productive relationship with Anthony Doran, Fundraising Manager.
Ian Anderson’s guidance from the onset was to: “create a partnership that allows Momentum Support to make impact through working together with the charity partner to make a difference”.
The following is an illustration of the community employee engagement between Momentum Support and Suicide or Survive (SOS):
In conclusion, the Momentum Support CSR Strategy motto “Mission Right let’s make the right choice” is illustrative of the purpose of Verona Pentony as the CSR & Quality Manager.
Her initial thoughts on Mental Health were “we could impact minds and remove existing barriers associated with Mental Health issues and allow Momentum Support as a company to create a safe place to talk about Mental Health issues and encourage people to seek help. Our vision is that one day those effected would not be ashamed to return to work, and employers would have the understanding to support a phased return to work arrangement.
In this, she has achieved her task in improving the positive nature and awareness of Mental Health issues within Momentum Support.
Momentum Support provided €47,485 in cash donations and €10,116 was raised through employee fundraising. Employees also volunteered 1,134 hours to local groups and projects during the year.