Palladium Cares strengthens community impact

Palladium Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Palladium Hotel Group, is deepening its commitment to the growth of local communities and the preservation of natural environment.

The project is backed by the Abel Matutes Foundation, an initiative of Grupo Empresas Matutes – a Spanish multinational corporation based on the Balearic Island of Ibiza.

With Palladium Cares, the group continues to create change through innovative programs rooted in its core pillars of planet, community, people.

At the heart of Palladium Cares’ mission is the Palladium Community Training Programme, a partnership with HEART NSTA Trust and the Hanover Municipal Corporation, which provides at-risk youth in Hanover with training, certifications, internships, and job opportunities.

To date, 90 trainees have been enrolled: 79 completed training and 69 have earned certifications.

These young Jamaicans are gaining the tools to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

For team members, Palladium Cares has introduced initiatives like the Palladium Staff Lactation Room, providing nursing mothers with a private, comfortable space during work hours.

Mothers returning from maternity leave are welcomed back with care packages to support their transition, and partnerships with local daycare providers ensure team members can balance work and family life.

This was further enhanced with the Day Care Partnership Project, officially launched on November 12, 2024, offering accessible childcare solutions for employees.

Environmental efforts include recycling initiatives, water bottle distribution to reduce single-use plastics, participation in global events such as Earth Hour, Earth Day, and Coastal Clean-Up, and educational competitions to foster environmental awareness among students.

Palladium Cares sponsors various school projects, including the Green Island Primary School Garden Project, Cornwall College Spanish Club & Basketball Team, Claremont Primary School recycling initiatives, and Passion Basic School Day Care.

The group's robust recycle/reduce/reuse program on property further highlights its commitment to minimising environmental impact.

Community impact remains a cornerstone of Palladium Cares’ efforts. The annual Christmas Toy and Clothing Collection is also a invites guests to contribute, with all donations supporting local shelters and charities during the festive season.

Labour Day projects focus on enhancing schools and public spaces, while partnerships with churches, schools, hospitals, libraries, and charities ensure that a wide range of local needs are met.

Palladium Cares also supports critical issues such as domestic violence prevention through workshops, health through blood drives, and mentorship through Men’s Talk sessions.

Through these multifaceted programs, Palladium Cares continues to make a meaningful impact, embodying its mission to uplift people and protect the planet.

‘Palladium Cares is built on the principle of ‘Caring by Doing,’ blending global expertise with a deep understanding of Jamaican needs,’ said Mitzie Smart, Social Responsibility Manager.

‘We work closely with government entities and local NGOs to meet the objectives of our pillars: Our Planet, Our Community, and Our People.’

Through its wide-reaching initiatives, Palladium Cares is making a profound and lasting impact on Jamaica’s people and environment.

From equipping youth with skills to supporting employee well-being and safeguarding the island’s natural resources, the program reflects Palladium Hotel Group’s commitment to sustainable development and meaningful change.

A new boost

Founded in Spain in the late 1970s with social purposes, the Abel Matutes Foundation has significantly expanded its scope of action and multiplied its budget tenfold to finance initiatives with greater reach and impact through Palladium Cares, both in Europe and the Americas.

This significant budget increase also ensures the continuity of its work in Ibiza and Formentera (Spain).

The Abel Matutes Foundation has been essential in Palladium Cares’ first year and plays a key role in the future development of initiatives centered on the three pillars of action connecting people, planet, and community.

Through this the group seeks to make a positive impact on its employees and their families, as well as on the local communities where it operates.

Additionally, the Abel Matutes Foundation has launched a new website, detailing its history, growth, and projects, including a section dedicated to Palladium Cares. Check it out here.