2025-12-05
Turning passion into purpose: ISS UK employee receives double recognition as Volunteer of the Year
ISS, a global leader in workplace experience and facility management, is proud to mark this year’s International Volunteer Day by recognising and celebrating the contributions of its people who give back to their communities, fostering inclusion and creating positive change one act of kindness at a time.
Through the company’s Employee Volunteering Scheme, employees can take paid volunteering leave to support organisations that matter to them. This is part of ISS’s commitment to be the global Company of Belonging, where professional growth and personal passion intersect to deliver social value for individuals, teams, and wider society.
For this year’s International Volunteer Day, ISS is proud to celebrate Darren Richards, Project Manager based in the West Midlands, whose outstanding volunteering efforts in inclusive disability football have helped to transform lives on and off the pitch.
Faced with the challenge of building an inclusive disability football programme from scratch at Redditch Borough FC last September, Darren applied his project management skills to create accessible opportunities in football for players with disabilities, with Thursday training sessions and matches in the Worcester Ability Counts Football League. After just a year, the club has achieved Disability Hub Club status, boasting two adult teams, U12 and U16 teams and a recreational centre for 12- to 16-year-olds.
Darren's impact didn't go unnoticed, earning the Worcestershire FA’s regional New Volunteer of the Year award, swiftly followed by the national accolade from The FA, presented at Wembley Stadium during the opening game of the 2025/26 football season, as Crystal Palace played Liverpool in the FA Community Shield. The highlight? For Darren, it was an unforgettable day where he strode onto the iconic pitch and presented the match ball alongside football legends like John Barnes and Emile Heskey.
Darren said:
“I'm thrilled to champion inclusive football at Redditch Borough, watching it flourish from no disability players to a vibrant community hub. From coordinating sessions to forging partnerships like our upcoming mental health initiative with Worcestershire FA, this work, bolstered by ISS's volunteering flexibility, has reignited my sense of purpose and shown me the power of sport to heal and unite.
“To be recognised for this is incredible, and the experience to share the turf at Wembley with footballing legends left me buzzing with pride, not just for myself, but for Redditch Borough FC and every player we've welcomed into this inclusive family.”
Darren credits the skills he’s built as a project manager as a crucial part of helping to achieve more inclusive football club. He adds:
“ISS has helped to equip me to lead with impact in every arena. Whether streamlining operations for major clients or growing teams that break down barriers on the field. It's about crafting environments where potential is unlocked for all.”
What elevates Darren's story is how it aligns seamlessly with his role at ISS, where the Employee Volunteering Scheme provides working hours for employees to deliver such meaningful pursuits. This support has allowed him to balance delivering high-performance facility solutions for clients with nurturing community programmes that promote belonging.
Rebecca Jeffs, Chief People Officer, ISS UK & Ireland, said:
“Darren embodies the volunteer spirit that drives our business forward. He hasn't just built teams; he's created pathways to confidence and connection for so many people living with disabilities and opportunities for them to flourish through football.
“We’re proud to champion opportunities for our people through programmes like the Employee Volunteering Scheme, which are central to our mission to make space for people to thrive. By investing in our people's passions, we cultivate diverse, resilient teams that enhance outcomes and the communities we serve.”
- ENDS - For media enquiries: Jonny Bisby | jonny.bisby@uk.issworld.com | Tel: +44 (0) 7542 269 965 About ISS: ISS is a leading workplace experience and facilities management company. With a presence in more than 30 countries worldwide, and with more than 27,000 employees across the UK and Ireland alone, ISS provides innovative workplace solutions that contribute to better business performance aimed at making life easier, more productive, and enjoyable for all — delivered to high standards by people who care. Learn more at www.issworld.com.