We have more than a corporate responsibility strategy; we have an over-riding ethos which shapes everything we do. The local community is important, not just to the lives of our employees, but also to how we run our business. Trying as hard as we do to give something back is our way of acknowledging that importance.
It's also why, since 2008, we've had a dedicated social contribution team to turn good ideas into practical action, working closely with local communities and donating time and money to a wide range of good causes. The team produces an annual social impact report to make sure its efforts are measured, monitored and made public.
Our volunteering has an educational focus and employees can donate up to a day a year volunteering time to a cause of their choice.
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise is the UK's largest business and enterprise education charity. Each year it helps 250,000 young people learn about business and the world of work, and we're proud to have been part of the scheme since 2009.
This means supporting Cornwall's Young Enterprise team by helping to deliver projects in local schools; more recently, we've become a business advisor for a local college involved in the company programme that runs throughout the academic year.
We also sponsor, along with other companies, the annual Innovation Awards. These recognise the achievements of students from local schools and colleges that have participated in the programme. The overall winner goes on to represent Cornwall in the regional finals.
STEM Ambassadors
Nine members of TRAC have completed their induction to become STEM ambassadors, one of three programmes run by UK-wide STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network). This means they'll get involved in activities such as contributing in regular lessons as well as taking part in extracurricular activities such as STEM Clubs, Careers Days and visits.
Our STEM ambassadors' aim will be to become role models for young people in Cornwall, encouraging interest in, and understanding of, STEM subjects and shedding new light on available career opportunities.
TRAC's User Testing Volunteers Project
We specialise in making sure the information leaflets that accompany medicinal products are safe and easy to understand. We do this by interviewing members of the public, and we thank them by giving £20 to a charity of their choice. The User Testing Volunteers Project has so far contributed nearly £29,000 to many local charities and community groups.
The Big Issue
TRAC is a member of The Big List South West, part of a group of companies and charities that supports The Big Issue's weekly magazine which offers the homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income.
Regional Development
Company Director Sarah Trethowan is actively involved in the economic development of Cornwall through her role as a director for the Cornwall Development Company and a member of the Employment and Skills Board, a sub-group of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP.
For more news on our fundraising efforts please see our news page.
