Social Responsibility
Brachers has been part of the Kent fabric for more than 100 years. The firm is inextricably linked to the community and our success is dictated by the relationship we have with our clients, friends of the firm, members of staff and the environment. We believe in freely giving our time, skills and energy for the greater good.
The cornerstone of our Social Responsibility programme is our Brachers in the Community (BRINC) initiative. Overseen by the Social Responsibility Committee, BRINC mainly involves:
Charity of the Year – all staff members vote for a Charity of the Year which we then fundraise on behalf of. Our Charity of the Year for 2012 is Macmillan Cancer Support (Kent). The main fundraising activities this year were our TRYathlon and a Charity Golf Day. Other fundraising activities include our monthly dress down day (the last Friday of the month) where staff make a donation in return for the opportunity to come to work wearing more relaxed attire as well as proceeds of the annual staff Christmas raffle. On the 12th July we handed over a cheque to Macmillan Cancer Support (Kent) for £15,675.
Brachers Charitable Trust – a separate Trust which administers funds which are given by the Partners. In the last seven years alone the Charitable Trust has donated more than £40,000 to over 100 (mainly) local charities.
Pro bono – we provide pro bono advice to Maidstone Citizens Advice Bureau and also offer a free representation service for employment Tribunals to the University of Kent. In addition we also provide substantial services and time to Heart of Kent Hospice, local NHS clients and care homes in order to improve their service to consumers. In 2011 we assisted with the merger of two Crossroads charities. The value of this pro bono work exceeded £30,000.
Use of facilities – we offer free use of our premises and facilities to many local charitable groups.
Besides BRINC our social responsibility obligations also extend to:
The workplace – underpinned by our HR policies and practices, such as staff consultation through a representative Staff Committee, learning and development and diversity and equal opportunity policies.
The marketplace – underpinned by our external operational policies, in our terms of business and in the way we deliver services. We value our business relationships and value participation with other local businesses in organisations such as the Kent People’s Trust which supports of all types of community safety work focusing on the positive future of young people through education, diversionary activity and mentoring.
The environment – we carefully monitor our energy sources of supply and recycling opportunities. We are in the process of applying for ISO 14001 which sets environmental management system quality standards. Compliance will ensure we continue to be environmentally friendly - measuring our consumption, reducing waste, reusing and recycling, reducing our carbon footprint and environmental impact. We also support clients and organisations in their environmental objectives in areas where we live and work.