Network Ten is getting behind the UN LTD movement to undo youth disadvantage, launching a national Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative called TEN Gives.

Driving participation right across the company, Network Ten has established an internal committee represented by staff from a myriad of departments.

TEN Gives was launched in Network Ten’s Sydney station in early October 2014 and will extend into its other capital city stations during early 2015.

Network Ten on-air talent who have given their time generously to appear in a series of internal videos to launch TEN Gives include Sandra Sully, Ita Buttrose, Grant Denyer, Dr Chris Brown, Carrie Bickmore, Pete Helliar, Joe Hildebrand, Jonathan Coleman and Melinda Nucifora.

TEN Gives has been established in partnership with industry foundation UN LTD, which exists to undo youth disadvantage in Australia. The Ten partnership includes workplace giving of money, time, skills and expertise.

A workplace giving app is being launched in all states, with many Network Ten employees already signed up to give on a monthly basis.

Network Ten is matching the cash raised by staff, hence the slogan being rolled out in communication to employees – “Together we can make a difference”.

Network Ten Director of Corporate and Public Communications, Neil Shoebridge, said the partnership with UN LTD provided an opportunity to consolidate the network’s workplace giving programs and to align with some of the key charities being supported by UN LTD.

“The depth and breadth of issues facing the younger people in our community was one that resonated with Network Ten employees,” he said.

“The UN LTD portfolio of charities, which are largely unrecognised brands, gives our employees a broad choice of organisations to connect closely with.”

UN LTD General Manager Carol Morris said the energy and enthusiasm from the committee driving the charge at Network Ten made this a model partnership for UN LTD.

“We continue to be thrilled by the commitment, enthusiasm and motivation of the people driving participation right across Network Ten. This is a phenomenal partnership.

“UN LTD’s role has been to guide the overall strategy and provide stewardship from program launch, right through to implementation and activation,” she said.

Network Ten is partnering with a designated UN LTD charity each quarter.

In just three months, the TEN Sydney team has provided more than $25,000 in cash and goods to their first designated partner, Gosford-based charity Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD). MMAD exits to change young lives through the power of music, dance and mentoring – and to inspire them to make their lives remarkable.

In addition to cash raised, members of the TEN Sydney team have been generously volunteering their time to help build and decorate the new premises at MMAD’s headquarters. Groups of staff have been travelling to Gosford to participate in a number of large-scale working bees.

From January 2015, the recipient of Ten’s fundraising efforts will be KYDS, a specialist, free counseling service provided to at-risk adolescents

Network Ten is the sixth major company to become an UN LTD GIVING partner, joining Mindshare, Bauer, Paykel Media, TVN and Bohemia. Their contributions range from pre-tax payroll donations and company matching, to fundraising activities and volunteering.