Winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Charitable Causes Award Simon Bradbury of Thomas Morris Estate Agents 

For his involvement of the RAN referral day, his support of Thomas Morris local foodbank campaign, Orange Day in aid of the Air Ambulance and involvement in all AG campaigns etc.

 

 

 

Paramount – their initiatives include something for everyone, from office ice cream parlours to a 10k run, and they put their money where their mouth is – a number of the team participated in The Big Sleep Out – sleeping rough to raise awareness.

Linley & Simpson does not just have a passion for letting and selling homes – we also share a passion for serving our community.  It’s embedded into the core of our culture, and epitomises how we do business.

 

It has propelled us into a new era for harnessing home-grown talents of our 140 staff for the greater good.

 

Since launching 20 years ago, long before the language of Corporate Social Responsibility, our 11 offices across Yorkshire had always been a focal point for our communities rich in diversity - from city centres to remote countryside.

 

In 2016/17 we took what we believe is an unprecedented step for an independent agency – by developing with staff-input a formal CSR strategy. 

 

The raft of initiatives delivered in our inaugural year created a strong platform on which to progress.

 

This commitment was underpinned not just by a determination to shine a light on issues affecting our community; but also by the appointment of our dedicated Head of Community and Charity Engagement to transform words into action.  We have also awarded all staff one day of paid work time away from the office each year – the cost-equivalent of over &15,000 - to volunteer in the community.

 

All this has accelerated our collective ability to think about the bigger picture and execute campaigns that moved different audiences.

 

Measured advantages are wide-ranging:

 

-          Enhancing social and economic fabric of communities

-          Boosting employee engagement and motivation – 88% of our staff tell us they are “proud” to be part of us, and 98% “determined” to give their best effort every day

-          Triggering new CSR ideas

-          Improving recruitment/retention

-          Reducing environmental impact

-          Enhancing our reputation in local communities

-          Raising awareness of the work we do

-          Generating new business

We reached into the heart of society, and touched lives of tens of thousands of people, in innovative ways:

 

Our COMMUNITY work:

-          Raising &26,000 for chosen charity Martin House Children’s Hospice

-          Unprecedented sponsorship of sports teams to secure their future amid challenging financial backdrop

-          Giving over 1,000 children their first taste of triathlon by working with Olympians Alistair and Jonny Brownlee creating the first event of its kind

-          Supporting local businesses by initiating a Loyalty Card scheme

-          Launching a ‘Give As You Earn’ scheme so employees can donate a fixed sum from salary before tax to good causes

-          Rewarding schools and sports teams with a Give Back scheme

-          Attending school careers fairs

Our EMPLOYEE strand:

-          Expanding our industry-leading apprenticeship scheme

-          Enhancing staff well-being by offering part-time roles, private medical insurance and time-off on birthdays

-          Acting on feedback via our second annual employee engagement survey

-          Ensuring our workforce better reflects the community

Our ENVIRONMENTAL success:

-          Through our volunteers’ programme, the creation of a wildlife garden and peace haven at Martin House Hospice

-          Extension of our recycling policy

Our HEALTH & SAFETY commitment:

-          Enhanced training at induction

-          Exclusive use of suppliers who demonstrate H&S competence

Our CUSTOMER work stream:

-          Launch of our ‘First Class’ Charter, taking customer service to new heights

-          Donating &1 for every client satisfaction survey returned – an initiative generating record numbers of responses.

 The event was special because it became a double event. It was also special as it was the first time that I had organised a ball or charity event or even ridden a camel. I invited our vendors and buyers and local solicitors etc. to join in the fun. They loved the fun idea of the camel race so much so that we had a coach load of supporters go to watch the race. Each table at the ball had a 'humped' theme from the solicitors who were 'legally humped' to the mortgage advisers who were 'financially humped'. We closed the office for the day so that the entire workforce could attend the race - leaving an amusing voicemail message which we later discovered had people ringing each other to tell them to call and listen. To top it off - I managed to stay on board the camel.

 Best Individual Fundraising Award is a joint win for Jon Martin of Spicerhaart and Jamie Aspland of Pygott & Crone.

 

Jamie Aspland – Pygott & Crone. Jamie chose to raise money for charities close to his heart and took the decision to make fundraising a permanent habit so constantly seeks ways to boost the coffers of St Barnabas and Macmillan.

 

Jon Martin – Spicerhaart. Jon personally led a group of 20 of the Spicerhaart team in completing the Three Peaks Challenge raising &45,000 for Magic Moments, which takes terminally ill children and their families to Disneyland.

 

 

Embrace Mortgage Services. EMS has raised over &10,000 this year for a number of causes and via a number of initiatives. Battersea Dogs Home, Great Ormond Street and Shelter have all benefitted from the running, quizzing and collections undertaken by the EMS team and their canine friends!

.

 

 

Wrights of Hatfield whose dedicated team has raised thousands of pounds for Willow, a local charity providing unforgettable special days to seriously ill young adults across the UK.  Including on-going support with their local 100mile bike ride and organised sponsored cycling jerseys for participants.

Cubitt & West – Godfrey Haire. Cubitt & West have been supporting the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity for over 10 years and fund a Family Support Worker every year. This support was vital when Godfrey’s son Henry needed their help due to a rare kidney condition. To show his support and gratitude, Godfrey set himself seven challenges each month in the lead up to his ‘big’ challenge – a 100 mile race around London.  Godfrey is now preparing to give Henry one of his kidneys.