Sponsorship strategy makes a positive difference

We want to improve young people’s mental health and well-being

At DS, we want to contribute to improving young people’s mental health and well-being

DS Gruppen wants a future where young people are more resilient, have higher self-esteem and can thrive in the labour market and life that awaits. We want to contribute to this with a new sponsorship strategy based on the societal challenge of “young people’s mental health and well-being”. Figures from the National Health Profile: Mid-term Survey 2023 show that just under 35% of young women experience poor mental well-being, whilst this applies to 16% of young men. This primarily concerns “Generation Z” (born in 1995 and onwards). Digital natives who have grown up in a period of high uncertainty, social changes, immense development and the Covid-19 pandemic, which may be contributing to the growing challenges in this generation. We take comfort in the fact that many are fortunately also defined by youthful enthusiasm and are full of dreams and strengths.

Read more about young people’s mental well-being

New sponsorship strategy at DS

New sponsorship strategy at DS

By 2030, approx. 74 per cent of the global workforce will consist of young people born from 1983 onwards. We are deeply dependent on having a well-functioning workforce and strong customers in the market. At DS Gruppen, we have a special social responsibility due to our industry and size, and our sponsorship strategy is therefore based on improving young people’s mental health and well-being. We have chosen to support and collaborate with some of the organisations that we feel are making an impact that works, and which support this exact cause.

Read more about the workforce of the future

“With the new strategy, we have gained a healthy focus on what DS Gruppen sponsors and why. The sponsorship funds and resources we spend on improving young people’s mental health and well-being create value not only for the young recipients, but also for DS Gruppen and our employees.”

“– Tina Woods, Marketing Manager, DS Gruppen”

Focus on children and young people

Focus on children and young people

We contribute to Børns Vilkår, which is the organisation behind BørneTelefonen and HØRT. Volunteers are ready to chat and talk with children and young people about everything from problems with family, friends and partners to heavier issues such as neglect, abuse, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

In 2023, the volunteer counsellors had a total of 63,529 conversations with children and young people. And the number appears to be rising.

 

“I am simply so proud that we are helping to make a difference among young people. We are received very well when we visit the vocational colleges together with HeadSpace. And I am certain that the work we contribute to actually works.”

“– Nuun Ebert Nielsen, Apprentice Coordinator, DS Stålkonstruktion”

Workshops for young people

Workshops for young people

Along the same lines, we have chosen to support and collaborate with the organisation Headspace, which is also a voluntary counselling service aimed at young people. The collaboration consists, among other things, of DS Gruppen and HeadSpace running a series of workshops together at vocational colleges, where the aim is to give students knowledge of HeadSpace and the opportunities available through the counselling service.

Apprentice coordinator Nuun Ebert Nielsen actively participates in the work with HeadSpace, and in this way we, as a partner, gain exposure among the young people at the vocational colleges, and we show that we are inclusive and provide opportunities for everyone.

DS Gruppen and HeadSpace held the first workshop at Tradium in Randers on 17 May 2024.

 

”As a photographer, I have participated in many events with HeadSpace, apprentices and trainees, and it is always life-affirming to look Denmark’s youth in the eyes. But it is just as heartbreaking that up to 30 per cent of those I see in my lens are struggling with their well-being. Therefore, I am truly delighted to work for a company that supports initiatives for our young people.”

– Fie Baumann, Photographer DS Gruppen

We support new opportunities for children and young people

We support new opportunities for children and young people

Julemærkehjemmene helps children who experience bullying, are lonely or have other problems. 1,000 children a year can get a stay at a Christmas Seal Home, where they form bonds with other children who are in the same situation as themselves. They experience a set schedule, healthy food and exercise, whilst simultaneously taking home some mental tools so they can continue the good lifestyle and maintain the self-esteem they build during the 10 weeks at a Christmas Seal Home. They are 100 per cent dependent on donations to keep running; therefore, DS Gruppen is a corporate sponsor and contributes to the running of the Christmas Seal Homes in Denmark.

We have also chosen to enter into a financial partnership with Fonden Bindeleddet, which is a nationwide organisation that primarily functions as a mentoring scheme for young people who have got off to a bad start in life. Here, they receive a second chance and a mentor, which increases the opportunities to get a fresh start and a good beginning to adult life. In the long term, we have plans for further collaboration and potentially the employment of suitable young people who are participating in programmes at Fonden Bindeleddet.

Main sponsor of Hobro IK

Main sponsor of Hobro IK

At the turn of the year to 2026, DS can celebrate 25 years as the main sponsor of Hobro IK. The sponsorship covers the football teams in all divisions right up to the first team. We are delighted by the many communities within the club and the sporting foundation that contributes to a good social life and friendships for life.

Furthermore, Hobro IK has a special talent programme where great consideration is given to the young players’ mental health and security during the contract period.

At the same time, we benefit from Hobro IK’s business network, and our employees are given the opportunity to attend the stadium for free via a pool of tickets we have for every match.

Other sponsorships

For a number of years, we have sponsored many different activities, athletes and associations. This year, we have chosen to support the AMBU festival in Hobro, which is one of Denmark’s oldest town festivals. The profits from the festival are distributed among countless local associations, and in this way, we benefit many at once in our local area.

In addition, we have a tradition of donating to Knæk Cancer, which might seem to fall slightly outside the category. But here we are thinking of our employees, relatives and everyone else affected by the disease. We all know someone…

Application for sponsorship

Our sponsorships are based on the societal challenge of ‘Young people’s mental health and well-being’.

Do you have a cause that is a good fit for a partnership with us?
Then perhaps we can help to make a difference together with you.

Tina Woods
Marketing Manager

Send application to Tina

Read about our initiatives for young people’s well-being