Capita Challenge

Capita Group, our parent company, launched the first Capita Challenge in 2005. It's an outdoor activity race bringing together teams of Capita colleagues from across the Group's 250 UK offices and 27,000 staff to compete for the Capita Trophy, have a fun day out and raise funds for the NSPCC and The Prince's Trust.

Teams from Capita Symonds have won the Capita Challenge for the past three years, including a stunning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in 2006, and six teams in the top 10.

Serious fun

In 2008 Capita Symonds launched a new scheme to offer graduates the chance to combine their UK careers with work in the aid or emergency aid fields. Graduates who are committed to working in the relief field can apply to receive alternative terms of employment which will enable them to spend three months a year on aid work while remaining in full time employment (at line manager's discretion). The scheme will apply for the length of the graduate training, typically four years, which will enable you to gain up to a full year's aid experience while at the same time pursuing a professional career.

The programme is part of Capita Symonds' patronage of RedR-UK, an organisation which helps to second fully qualified professionals to disaster-affected areas across the world.

Good sports

Our people take part in a wide variety of sport activities on a local, regional and national level, supported by Capita Symonds.

For example, we are a regular at the Construction Industry Rugby Sevens, held at Richmond every Summer. Crowned champions in 2006 we have been finalists in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Our Cwmbran 5-a-side team recently scooped the annual ICE Wales tournament for the 5th year running and will yet again represent Wales at the national ICE tournament later in the year.

Charity champions

Many individuals and teams across our offices support Capita's official charities the NSPCC, The Prince's Trust and Cancer Research UK or their own charities of choice.

For example, six members of Capita Symonds in London will be taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge (to ascend and descend the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in a 24-hour period) in August 2007, to raise money for the White Lodge development centre ( www.justgiving.com/ conors3peakchallenge )

And two members of Capita Symonds in Bristol are driving a classic Morgan 4/4 to the south of France at the end of August on a 3-day Champagne Run, a classic and contemporary car 'race' in support of the Penny Brohn Cancer Care charity ( www.justgiving.com/ CapitaSymondsLtd ).

Away days

Some of our businesses organise away days for their people - an annual opportunity to gather together staff from across the UK, communicate strategy and celebrate achievements.

Our architecture practice, Capita Architecture, gathers all 450 of its staff together every summer at prominent buildings that it has designed. Last year's inaugural gathering was held at the celebrated Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, and the 2007 day at Birmingham's International Convention Centre.

Party time

Many of our offices have Social Committees and organise their own nights out, Christmas parties and summer BBQs. The Capita Group also holds its Summer Ball every June, with all Group employees invited to attend with a partner or guest. The black tie event is held in prestigious locations around the UK with proceeds donated to Capita's nominated charities.