Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is our sense of responsibility towards the community and environment – both ecological and social – in which we operate.

We’re serious about equality, diversity, skills and employee engagement and the impact upon society of our services. We’re serious about global concerns such as carbon footprints and water usage but we’re also serious about local issues and community engagement. We’re proud to be based in the South West and want to give something back to the community.

This year, we are taking on the 23 challenges for 2023 as part of our ongoing commitment to helping people and communities thrive. Click below to see the challenges we have completed so far.

23 for 23 Challenge

We achieve this in a number of ways. These include supporting a range of good causes by raising money through monthly dress down days and donating the proceeds to a different charity each time. Charities we have supported include:

  • Brock House Children’s Centre
  • Cancer Research
  • Devon Air Ambulance
  • Headway Somerset
  • Help for Heroes
  • League of Friends of Yeovil Hospital
  • Macmillan Cancer Support
  • Moving Together in Somerset
  • National Blind Children’s Society
  • School in a Bag
  • St Margaret’s Hospice
  • St Nicholas’ Church, Portishead
  • Taunton Asthmatic Swimming Club
  • Teenage Cancer Trust
  • The South Somerset Disability Forum
  • Ups and Downs
  • Wellesley Park School PTA, Wellington

Members of our team also contribute their professional expertise, by giving their time and expertise to community organisations on a voluntary basis.

For example, Roger Isaacs is trustee and treasurer of St Peter’s Hospice and brain injury charity Headway Somerset, and Peter Manning is company secretary of Ablaze; a Bristol-based charity that aims to develop sustainable partnerships between businesses and schools. Simon Denton is a trustee and treasurer of Devon Air Ambulance and Steve Horton is a trustee of both the Sandra Le Merchant Charitable Trust and the Shark and Coral Conservation Trust.

We are also involved in initiatives linked to education. We operate a programme of award sponsorship in local schools and universities to celebrate pupils’ enterprise and achievement.

Our work with businesses across the South West allows us to support them to do better, which in turn benefits their local communities and the wider economy.