Standing together in difficult times: Volkswagen Financial Services donate EUR 50,000 to the Protestant Foundation Neuerkerode

- Counteracting social isolation due to corona with the help of new media
- Enabling more variety in the daily life of those who need care
- Psychological support for nursing staff

Braunschweig, 8 April 2020. Volkswagen Financial Services have donated EUR 50,000 to the Protestant Foundation Neuerkerode (Evangelische Stiftung Neuerkerode) to work against the social isolation suffered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic by the people in need of care in the organization's institutions. The money is to be used to buy tablet computers to maintain digital contact with relatives and to provide game consoles to bring more activity and variety into the day-to-day routine. In addition, psychological support and counseling is to be intensified for the medical and nursing staff working in the senior citizens homes and nursing centers, caregivers who are currently being exposed to an increased level of physical and social stress. "With this donation, we would like to provide quick and practical help to make life a little easier for all those affected in the facilities run by the Protestant Foundation Neuerkerode," stresses Lars Henner Santelmann, Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen Financial Services AG.

"Corona-induced isolation is a very large and unprecedented burden for those who depend on care, their relatives and our personnel," says Rüdiger Becker, Chairman of the Board and Director of the Protestant Foundation Neuerkerode. He adds: "We would like to say how very grateful and pleased we are to receive this generous donation, which will enable us to enhance the everyday life of our facilities in an even more positive manner during the current situation."

People with dementia are suffering particularly heavily from the present restrictions made necessary by the virus. This is because every change in their normal daily routine worsens their clinical symptoms and increases the level of nursing care demanded of specialist staff who are already working at full capacity. Moreover, the dynamic situation in the wake of the corona pandemic presents a high risk for both the staff and those being looked after. In addition to a greater intensity of care, this also calls for the strictest compliance with hygiene regulations. The donation provides room to maneuver and a financial leeway in these difficult times, for example in securing the increased materials required.

Volkswagen Financial Services and the Protestant Foundation Neuerkerode entered into an intensive partnership at the beginning of the year – already before the outbreak of the corona pandemic. The cooperation focuses on supporting company employees in caring for relatives so as to improve the compatibility of work and family and also master the challenges of everyday life in addition to raising children. As part of the cooperation, the foundation offers employees advice and guidance when they need it. A hotline has also been set up.

Volkswagen Financial Services are a business division of the Volkswagen AG group of companies and comprise Volkswagen Financial Services AG along with its associated companies, Volkswagen Bank GmbH, Porsche Financial Services, and the financial services companies in the USA and Canada that belong directly or indirectly to Volkswagen AG – with the exception of the financial services of the Scania brand and Porsche Holding Salzburg. The key business fields embrace dealer and customer financing, leasing, the bank and insurance business, fleet management and mobility offers. Volkswagen Financial Services have a total of 16,571 employees worldwide – including 7,414 alone in Germany. Volkswagen Financial Services report total assets of around EUR 223.5 billion, an operating result of EUR 2.96 billion and a portfolio of around 21.5 million current contracts (as at: 31.12.2019).

The Protestant Foundation Neuerkerode (ESN) is recognized throughout the region for its specialist work with the disabled and has been supporting people with special needs for over 150 years. The foundation currently maintains 65 facilities across southeastern Lower Saxony, which provide reliable and effective services. These include the Krankenhaus Marienstift (KHM) hospital, several senior citizen and nursing centers, and rehabilitation and health services. The group of companies operating under the foundation employs around 3,000 people.

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Note: This report was published as part of Autofox Helps program and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, currently to help combat coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 disease.