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Corporate Social Responsibility should be important to every business and every employee, as we all know that what we do today will affect our future generations.  It isn’t about how big the gesture is; just about giving something back and making a difference. 

Many of us understand that looking at CSR within our own businesses starts with taking simple steps.  How do you recycle your printer cartridges?  Do you use the most environmental paper? How are you measuring internal initiatives to know if they are successful?  Are you looking at your suppliers to ensure they as ethical and as conscientious as you?  Finally, what about your voluntary work in the community; do you allow your employees paid time off during the year to give something back to the local community?  Do you make the time to give something back yourself? 

I was recently sent an email about a project run by the Business Community Partnership based in Brighton for a local community farm, and I jumped at the opportunity to get involved. Having not been to one of the events before I was a little apprehensive but I didn’t need to be as everyone on this project was warm, friendly and people I thoroughly enjoyed spending an afternoon with! 

So what was it?  It was a relaxed networking event aimed at  bringing local businesses together whilst helping clear land, dig holes for fruit trees and raspberry plants as part of the Nourish Community Farm’s perennial plants project, which is a social enterprise growing a variety of fruit, vegetables and plants to sell locally. They provide supported work placements for adults with mental health problems and learning difficulties, and supply produce to the 20/20 Café based at the East Brighton Mental Health Centre, which is another Nourish project. 

It was the most relaxed and worthwhile networking event for several reasons; firstly because we were together for a whole afternoon, so everyone took the time to listen to each other talking about our businesses, and how we could possibly work together in the future. One of the other companies is based in Henfield only a few minutes from ours – I drive past their offices everyday wondering who they were and what they did – and as I result of meeting them on the day we are starting to support each other with business networking contacts.  Secondly it was an incredible feeling to look around and realise at the end of the day what a difference we had made in helping this project move a step closer to their goal.  

We stopped for hot drinks and fruit on a cold but sunny afternoon in February and at the end were treated to some wine tasting by Barefoot, a ethical wine producer who only sell their wines to community shops. I can highly recommend the Pinot Grigio! 

We have since become members of the Business Community Partnership and as a company we look forward to participating in future events, and more importantly to giving something back.