POSITIVE BUSINESS
How your next coffee break could help Dorothy House Hospice Care
A local drug and medical products company is paving the way for other local businesses to fundraise for charity in a very simple way.
Bath ASU, owned by Qualasept Pharmaxo Holdings is a Corsham-based pharmaceutical specials manufacturer producing chemotherapy, pain relief, antibiotics and other medical products to treat life-limiting illnesses.
We met with Bath ASU’ s HR Manager, Debbie Keeley to find out more about their new coffee machine scheme raising funds for Dorothy House Hospice Care.
How did you come up with the idea for your new charity coffee machine scheme? We already provided hot drinks to our 220-strong workforce as a perk, bur with the completion of a new café and social area we wanted to upgrade the quality and selection of coffee we served. We were also keen to continue our corporate social responsibility( CSR) activity and get involved with local charities.
Why did you choose to partner with local hospice Dorothy House? Our company mantra is‘ Where patients come first’ and as many of the medical products we make help treat people with chronic or life-limiting conditions it seemed fitting to support the local hospice who care for people in our community. Dorothy House provides regular communication support and fundraising certificates, plus lots of ideas and events for us to support.
How easy was it to set up the coffee machine CSR scheme? We looked at numerous vending options but once we’ d made the choice to work with coffee machine supplier, Liquidline they helped make the process easy for us. Their customer service team visited us and helped us choose a‘ Cafétouch’ 1’ automatic coffee machine suited to our company size and they provide regular servicing, sustainably-sourced coffee beans and other consumable items. This rolling contract suits us, but is optional if you have other suppliers in place.
How does the scheme work? Bath ASU purchased the coffee machine from Liquidline as a capital expense, but flexible hire purchase deals are available if it is easier to spread the payments. We wanted to continue providing coffee as a perk and donate to charity, so we decided to charge staff 20p per premium cup of coffee( with an equivalent high street value of £ 2.50)
as a charitable donation. Alternatively, Liquidline offer different options for funding staff coffee either as a perk or passing on the full cost to staff.
What’ s the most positive outcome from the scheme so far? In six months, we’ ve raised £ 1,850 for Dorothy House, an average of £ 300 per month. It’ s fulfilling for our team to know that every coffee we drink helps make a difference to patients’ lives at the hospice. Plus, having fresh coffee from the beans tastes a lot better than our old instant coffee, so it’ s definitely a win: win situation.
To find out more about the scheme contact Henrietta Beard, Corporate Fundraiser at Dorothy House on 01225 721 480 or email: henrietta. beard @ dorothyhouse-hospice. org. uk
Bath café serves up job skills for young people with special needs
A Bath-based café is helping young people with special educational needs gain vital work-based skills to aid future employment.
Launched in April 2017, 3 Café Kitchen in Odd Down provides a much-needed community hub whilst developing employability skills for young people with a range of special needs, giving them reallife experience in a café and shop which is open to the public. The café is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 8am-12pm. It serves artisan coffee and fresh produce, from healthy salads to indulgent cakes and sweet treats.
The café is attached to Three Ways School, the Bath area’ s only special school supporting over 200 local children with a wide range of special educational needs from primary school age to sixth form students. Three Ways School spent nearly eight years planning and fundraising to build and equip the café before it could open. It cost over £ 500,000 to get the
30 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018 project underway, with support from local and national grants and trusts, businesses and individuals. 3 Café Kitchen bridges the gap for its students from work experience to paid work, supported by members of key staff, they build on their literacy, communication and life skills, in turn improving their self-esteem.
Within the first three months of opening they met their target of breaking even and have provided work experience placements for 10 young people with special needs so far. The aim for 2018 Is to have 60 young people completing work placements and qualifications in the centre giving them options for when they leave school.
3 Café Kitchen is currently appealing for help from the business community in a number of key areas to guarantee the future success of the project.
These include:
• Developing a dedicated website and online presence
• Creating a video to promote the purpose and ethos of 3 Café Kitchen to be used within the Café and during external presentations
• Funding a jobs“ coach” – a newly created role dedicated to training and development of young people with special needs
• Partnering with 3 Café Kitchen to provide supported work experience externally
• Working alongside 3 Café Kitchen to build a network of‘ special needs friendly’ employers
• Offering your time or expertise to help with different aspects of the project including gardening, marketing, PR, training and networking
Jo Stoaling, Head Teacher said:“ We want all students to be able to support themselves and to live as independently as possible. We want to provide the support and guidance for young people with special needs to gain qualifications and experience to go on to college or to a supported work employment. Our young people are keen to be an important, reliable part of our local work force.”
For more info: www. threeways. co. uk
To find out more or offer your help contact Lucy Beattie on 01225 838070 or email: lucy. beattie @ threeways. co. uk
@ 3CafeKitchen