The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 2: Winter 2016/17 | Page 13

POSITIVE BUSINESS

Corporate social responsibility or CSR has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years, losing its true meaning and the real benefit of embracing it in your business. Research shows that firms who make a positive contribution to society see multiple benefits.

With company time being so precious, it’ s OK to think‘ what’ s in it for me?’, especially for sole-traders and start-up businesses, the thought of giving up precious time in the office can be a worrying thought, as much as you might want to help society and give something back.

Five reasons to do good things in your business:

1) Increased social awareness, brand authority and trust

2) Greater productivity – CSR is great for team building

3) Helps recruitment and employee retention – people want to be associated with an ethical employer

Royds Withy King cycled from London to Paris for Dorothy House Hospice Care

4) Strengthens professional network- a great way of meeting with other likeminded companies

5) Increases profitability-through brand recognition and customer loyalty

There are many ways you can give something back in 2017, from organising a cake sale at work, to dress down or dress up days, competing in the Bath Half Marathon or doing something fearless like skydiving.

Bath Volunteer Centre is always looking for new volunteers if you have some spare time too. Visit: www. vol-centre. org. uk

From March 2016- March 2017, Dorothy House Hospice Care is celebrating providing 40 years of care in the region.

The Hospice, based in Winsley near Bradford on Avon was set up as a charity by Prue Dufour in her Bath home to care for patients living with a life-limiting illness and their community rather than in hospital. Dorothy House Hospice Care( DHHC) has since grown to offer a wide range of services in specialist palliative and end of life care.

Some of their funding comes from the NHS locally. The remainder comes from fundraising events, voluntary donations, legacies, DHHC shops and income from their educational programmes. The result is that their services are available free of charge to patients, families and carers.

Dorothy House covers an area of 700sq miles and the majority of their care is provided in the home and in the community. Alongside this, they have an inpatient unit in Winsley and also offer many services via two Outreach Centres, one in Trowbridge and the other in Peasedown St John.

Over 1,000 volunteers work together to achieve the best experience for everyone. The work of their volunteers is vital to the services they provide for patients, families and carers.

For every £ 1 donated from the NHS, Dorothy House has to raise £ 4. It costs £ 1m a month to run the charity and it wouldn’ t exist without the support of their fundraising, shops, income from their educational programmes and corporate donations.

Dorothy House is always looking for local businesses to get behind the charity in a number of ways. Through their planned fundraising events and challenges or choosing

them as their Charity of the Year. The Bath office of law firm Royds Withy King took an internal vote and chose Dorothy House as their designated charity for a twoyear period. Earlier this year as part of their fundraising activities they cycled from London to Paris. Talking about the importance of CSR, Royds Withy King, managing partner Graham Street said:

“ CSR has become an integral part of our culture, bringing people together and uniting teams and offices with a shared sense of purpose. It has also given us a point of difference and helped to make us an employer of choice, with many new recruits citing our commitment to community engagement as a key reason for wanting to join us. Our CSR is also a talking point among clients and contacts and gives us a distinct competitive advantage.” Things you can do to help:-Run for team Dotty! Dorothy House is the official Vitality Bath Half Marathon 2017 local charity taking place on Sunday March 12, 2017

• Bath Moonlight Walk

• Bubble Rush

• Cycle from London to Paris

• Swim the channel( or in a pool)

• Trek to Machu Picchu

• Create your own unique event

To see a full list of challenges viit: www. dorothyhouse. org. uk or contact Henrietta Beard by email: henrietta. beard @ dorothyhouse-hospice. org. uk or call: 01225 721 480

Business against Poverty member profile:

Business against Poverty( BaP) is a local community of business people who care about the issues of poverty and ethical standards. They are taking action through their charity People against Poverty, based in Trowbridge.