Two charities that help patients and their families as they face some of life’s toughest challenges have been selected by our workforce as our new Community Partners.
Employees at our Scunthorpe and Teesside operations selected Macmillan Cancer Support to become their Community Partner in a recent ballot, while colleagues at our Skinningrove site selected mental health charity Redcar and Cleveland Mind.
Our colleagues will be coming up with creative ways to lend their support to these charities over the next two years. All money raised will be invested in the provision of local services.
“We already work closely with both charities where we have colleagues in need of their specialist support,” said British Steel Occupational Health Manager, Sharon Smith.
“Cancer and mental health issues have touched the lives of many of the people who work in the steel industry and I know many colleagues have turned to these invaluable charities at their time of need, and the charities have been there for them.
“As a health professional I see first-hand the critical support they give to patients and their families as they take on some of life’s biggest challenges.
“I know my colleagues are now looking forward to giving something back to the dedicated professionals who’ve been there for them by supporting these organisations over the next two years.”
The Community Partner work is part of our wider Building Stronger Communities programme, which supports the social wellbeing of the communities in which we operate. Further information about this programme is available here. A calendar of employee fundraising activities throughout the year brings in regular income for our Community Partners, and our employees are encouraged to take on their own personal challenges to support these causes.
Redcar and Cleveland Mind provides wellbeing, prevention, and recovery support to people in the area living with or at risk of developing mental health issues. Its vision is to provide good mental health for all, and its mission is to provide and promote high quality services that put people first.
The organisation’s CEO Veronica Harnett, said: “It means a lot to us that British Steel’s employees at Skinningrove have chosen us to be their Community Partner in 2019 and 2020. The partnership will be invaluable to us both in generating income to support our services and in spreading the message about what we can offer.
“We look forward to this new chapter as we work with British Steel to strive towards our goal of good mental health for all.”
Meanwhile Macmillan Cancer Support offers emotional, physical, and financial assistance for people living with cancer.
Clara White Head of Regional Fundraising for East Midlands, Yorkshire, & North East England, said: “It’s fantastic that British Steel have chosen to support Macmillan for the next two years and the funds raised will have a big impact on local cancer services.
“Not only that, it presents an important opportunity for Macmillan to look at how best to support people working on the company’s sites.
“Our aim is to be there for everyone affected by cancer, and this partnership is a fantastic opportunity to work with and be supported by local communities.”
Previously our employees worked with Lindsey Lodge Hospice in Scunthorpe, and the Great North Air Ambulance in the North East of England. These partnerships ended in December 2018, after they generated more than £27,500 for the two charities.