Business
We help businesses and other organisations stay competitive and successful by helping them to become more responsible corporate citizens, reducing their impact on the local and global environment and increasing their links with the local community. We offer training and advice and carry out reviews and audits, often as a way of helping companies and organisations adopt environmental management systems. We also support business communities by helping them improve their practices, their premises and the local environment at the same time, either on business parks or through ‘business improvement districts’.
Working with Business in the South East - Case Study
1. SUMS - Simple Utility Management Seminars
Simple Utility Management Seminars or SUMS is an effective,
practical environmental training programme which aims to provide
cost savings direct to the bottom line.
The practical workshops, complete with industry case studies,
provide your business with the in-house skills to start
environmental management systems, gain competitive edge and make
significant cost savings while enhancing your company’s
image.
The SUMS package combines practical advice and easy to use
utility worksheets with expert speakers to provide one to one
advice on how your business can cut costs while improving your
environmental procedures. By providing cost effective
ways of reducing utility bills your company can save money by
improving economic performance.
The speakers include Business Link, Envirowise, the Environment
Agency, Waste Watch, travel and energy experts, providing a
comprehensive guide to implementing practical environmental
improvements.
“We have saved over £7000 in three months! In
addition the informal nature of the workshops gave us a chance to
learn from other businesses as well as the
experts.”
Val Rhodes,
Stocksigns
2. BAA Heathrow Environment Awards in association with Groundwork
The Environment Awards is a grant giving scheme open to schools, small businesses and community groups around the Heathrow area. The scheme offers small grants of up to £1,000 on projects that improve the environment and involve local people. There is also a one-off special award of £2,500 to the application demonstrating innovation in environmental improvement.
The scheme was developed by Groundwork Thames Valley and the
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister due to there being very few
easily accessible small grant schemes for
community groups/schools in the local area. The scheme has been
running for 8 years thanks to funding from BAA Heathrow as part of
their corporate social responsibility
commitment to the local community. The scheme covers boroughs
affected by the impact of the airport including Hillingdon,
Hounslow, Slough, Spelthorne, Windsor & Maidenhead, Richmond
& Runnymede and Ealing (in partnership with Groundwork West
London).
The scheme distributes grants to applicants whose projects best fit
with the themes of local agenda 21 – the world-wide programme
that encourages local people to make a difference in the
environment where they live as a step towards global environmental
improvement.
Grants are awarded along agenda 21 themes of sustainable transport,
energy efficiency, recycling, nature conservation, environmental
improvements, health and green business. Alongside the main themes
there are a number of other judging criteria including the number
of beneficiaries and the number of people involved in the
project.
Top Achievements
- Over 200 groups supported in 8 years
- Over 2,500 m2 of land improved
- Over 300 people involved a year
- Over 50,000 people have benefited in 8 years
Groundwork South East
18-21 Morley Street
London
SE1 7QZ
| T | 020 7922 1230 |
| F | 020 7922 1219 |
| E |
southeastregion@ groundwork.org.uk |