POSITIVE BUSINESS
Business against Poverty member profile: SLTS
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.
Each edition of TBE we profile one of their members. This edition we interviewed Simon Long, owner of SLTS to find out more about his business philosophy.
SLTS was founded in 2011 as Simon Long Training and re-branded as SLTS earlier this year. Based in Frome the company works across the South West, predominantly with the construction and manufacturing sectors. They offer training in the use of forklift trucks, safe use of ladders, fire marshaling, working at height and confined space training.
The firm has grown to three employees in the last year, with the appointment of Andy Tawse as business development manager. SLTS has also recently invested in new offices that include a dedicated training centre and quarry at the rear of the property to train clients on equipment such as diggers and dumpers.
What motivates you? Building a business that gives my staff and family a secure future; one in which I can share any wealth with them. A successful business will enable me to help other people who are far less fortunate than I am which we are doing through supporting BaP.
What is your business philosophy? To work in an ethical, fair and just manner treating all of my staff, customers and suppliers with respect. I believe that everyone should be prepared to work hard in order to succeed which is then shared.
Who do you admire the most? Anybody who works hard but has a giving attitude to others; someone who knows the value of their staff, suppliers, customers and other businesses in the community; and who is prepared to give back to the community, not making it all about personal wealth. This may sound really corny, but I admire Bill and Val Huxley founders of People against Poverty hugely for the work that they do.
What would be your advice to anyone wondering if their business could benefit from joining Business against Poverty?
Every business can benefit from becoming a member; from a business perspective the BaP community is filled with like-minded people who want to do business together. I’ ve
Simon Long, owner of SLTS
directly been able to change people lives as a result of my membership and I’ ve been fortunate enough to see this first hand when visiting some of the Romanian based projects.
To find out more about SLTS visit: www. simonlongtraining. com and for more about Business against Poverty go to: www. businessagainstpoverty. com
COUNTDOWN TO THE OPENING OF JULIA ' S HOUSE
Julia’ s House is Wiltshire’ s first Children’ s hospice, opening in January 2017. It currently supports 25 families in the county by providing home-based support and the aim is to look after 100 children in need once the care home is complete.
Julia’ s House began 13 years ago in Dorset, founded by paediatric nurse Julia Perks. She was so appalled by the level of support available for families with life-limited illnesses and wanted to make a difference.
The charity began with nurses providing respite care for families, but 12 months in Julia herself became ill and was diagnosed with cancer. After Julia passed away the trustees of the charity continued the cause in her name and fundraised to build a hospice- Julia’ s House.
60 / 70 % of the support Julia’ s House provides is carried out in a child’ s own home, but the Dorset hospice is regularly used for events, bereavement care and sibling support.
18 months ago Julia’ s House saw an increase in referrals from the South of Wiltshire and identified a need for a
8 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016 children’ s hospice in the county. Wiltshire is one of only two counties in England without one and in the past families have had to cope by themselves or travel as far as Bristol for any support.
The Wiltshire fundraising campaign really took off after Julia’ s House was invited to Downing Street by Samantha Cameron to celebrate their tenth anniversary. Famous filmmaker Guy Ritchie, a Wiltshire resident was in attendance and jumped at the chance to support the cause. He organised a shoot in his grounds and invited his celebrity friends including David Beckham and Robert Downey Junior with the caveat that they had to bring an item to be auctioned for the charity. The auction raised £ 1m alone and a further appeal by Robert Downey Junior online raised £ 800,000 auctioning Iron Man merchandise and a trip to the Iron Man film set.
Julia’ s House has recently won an Enterprising Wiltshire award for its product innovation and getting the project off the ground so quickly. Fundraiser Ged Montgomery said:“ We’ re delighted to have won this award. Thanks to Wiltshire Council and Inspire for the support and helping to raise the profile of Julia’ s House.”
The Wiltshire Hospice will be based in Devizes and will replicate the Dorset model. The charity is currently appealing for all kinds of support from volunteers to help with fundraising events, to shops that would be happy displaying leaflets on their counters, to asking businesses
to consider them as their next charity of the year.
The charity only has 5 % government funding, so 95 % of the running costs rely solely on the support of the local community. Ged said:“ If you want to find out more about Julia’ s House and how you can help I would be keen to come and talk to you and explain the project. It’ s not all about financial support, it’ s about creating advocates for the charity too, championing its importance to the county.”
To find out more about Julia’ s House email Ged Montgomery: Ged. Montgomery @ juliashouse. org
For more info: www. juliashouse. org
Fundraiser Ged Montgomery with Heather Philpotts of Julia’ s House