Share Sounds. related to Charities/Community Action

Sarah investigates why the financial sector has few women in top positions and looks into the companies that have signed up for the women in Financial Services Charter. To go through this issue, Sarah is joined by Jane Platt from NS&I, Melanie Seymour from Women in Banking and Finance and employment lawyer, Gillian Howard.

Time once again for the Consuming Issues news review, with Georgie Frost and Share Radio's Senior Analyst Ed Bowsher. And today, the pound is rallying behind the news that Theresa May will be the next PM, as David Cameron heads to his last PMQs. And on the subject of the pound, travelers exchanging currency at the UK's regional airports are apparently getting less for their pounds than those using London terminals. And bad news for London, as Cambridge is named best place in the UK to work. All this and more, on Consuming Issues, every day from 9am to Midday, right here on Share Radio.

The Muslim community has come to the end of its holy month of Ramadan. As well as a month of fasting the festival also has a big focus on charitable giving, known as Zakat. But Islam isn't the only faith that puts charity at the centre of its beliefs. Research commissioned by the BBC in 2014 found that people who have a religious belief are more likely to give to charity than non-believers. Sikhs and Jews emerged as the most likely to share their wealth with a good cause, just ahead of Christians, Hindus and Muslims. The study, carried out for the BBC's network of local radio stations found that levels of generosity across the British public are strikingly high, but highest among those with a religious faith. As many as seven in 10 people in England said they had given money to a charity in the past month. But while just over two thirds of those who professed no religious faith claimed to have done so, among believers the figure rose to almost eight out of 10. Among those polled, all of the Sikhs and 82 per cent of practising Jews had given money in the past month. Among practising Christians the figure was 78 per cent. So what is it about religion that makes people so charitable? Well as one example, in the Jewish faith there is a rule that people should give 10 per cent to charity, known as Tzedakah. Marc Shoffman spoke to Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum of the Hadley Wood Jewish community to find out more.

eSolidar is an online, global market place that allows charities to raise funds and awareness through sales and auctions. Described as one of the most outstanding digital initiatives for social good, the company has been growing rapidly and is now looking to the UK for expansion. Linda Lewis went along to their UK headquarters in London to find out how they work. First Broadcast: 10/07/16

On Shop Floor, in association with the Inspirational Development Group, Nick Peters analyses the effect of Brexit on Microbusinesses with Tony Robinson OBE in this time of uncertainty. Kate Jacobs, Editor of HR Magazine, explains how HR departments can provide a vital role in leadership for businesses in the post-Brexit climate. Despite these unsteady times Charlotte Cassedanne, Communications Manager at Power to Change, says Business Communities can unite others and have a positive impact on local people. Charlotte Hollins, who runs the community business Fordhall Farm, explains the story behind the farm and the financial obstacles she had to face to make the it a success. Finally, Kirsten Samuel, Managing Director of Kamwell, highlights the impact of men's mental health problems, particularly suicide, on businesses.

With less than a week to go until the EU referendum Linda Lewis meets Will Moy, Director of Full Fact, and his team in action. Fact-checking as an industry is growing, and Britain is in the lead when it comes to finding innovative ways to pay for it. Will explains why it was important to set the company up, and how they work with journalists, academics and political parties on a daily basis to deliver accurate facts and figures.

The EU is dedicating itself to its recycling targets, including setting an "EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy" that establishes an ambitious programme of action. The 2016 ‘Resourcing The Future Conference’ is set to start in London and Matt Cox has been finding out more by speaking with David Maddison, Professor of Economics at the University of Birmingham.

How does religion fit in the EU Referendum? Lord William Wallace, from Christians for Europe, and Adrian Hilton, Co-chair of Christians for Britain, join Marc Shoffman to discuss what role faith should play throughout the campaign. How big a factor should Christianity play when people come to vote?

A survey by the government found that 45% of people over 45 knew nothing about a lasting power of attorney and, when they were told about what it was, over 60% said they weren't interested in setting one up. An ongoing power of attorney lets you manage someone else's money when they're unable to do so. What can you do if your elderly relative is struggling to manage their own money? What are the rules if you want to open an account for your child or grandchild? Sarah Pennells is joined by David Steele, Policy Manager of Financial Services at Age UK and George McNamara, Head of Policy at the Alzheimer's Society, to discuss these issues.

Now it's something that over 21 million people in the UK do at least once a year and they don't get paid a penny. What is it? Volunteering. This week is Volunteers' Week where you can find out more about what's involved in volunteering. Volunteering can be anything from getting involved in projects and charities in your neighbourhood to travelling abroad. So, how can you get involved? What are the benefits and how do you work out what type of project to get involved in? Sarah Pennells and our Young Money Champion, Rachael Healey, are joined by Alison Harvie who's the head of communications at Volunteering Matters and by Stefan Watham who's the chief executive of Year Out Group.