Overview
We acknowledge that running our Charity has an effect on society. In particular, we have a responsibility to our Trustees, Volunteers, Clients and contractors as well as the broader community in which we operate.
We are committed to taking responsibility for our actions and encourage a positive contribution towards improving standards for our Trustees, Volunteers, Clients and contractors and minimising our impact on the environment and improving the quality of the local community and the other communities that we operate in
By putting CSR into practice, we are committed, wherever possible, to:
- Conducting ourselves responsibly and in an ethical manner
- Creating a positive and supportive working environment
- Supporting local communities
- Improving service levels to clients
- Acting fairly in our dealings with suppliers and other third parties
- Minimising the impact on our environment.
Communication
We communicate this policy to our Trustees, Volunteers, clients and other stakeholders by means of our website and publicity materials.
We aim to provide our Trustees and Volunteers with training on our CSR strategy and this policy and seek to raise awareness of any negative impacts of our business and methods to reduce them.
Responsibility and review
Our Trustees Board has overall responsibility for our CSR strategy and for implementing this policy. They are a key role in ensuring the systems and controls we have in place are effective.
All members of staff have a role to play in complying with our CSR objectives and are encouraged to make further suggestions in relation to initiatives we could undertake. If anyone has a suggestion, they should contact info@shoeaid.co.uk
We are fully committed to the highest possible standards of openness, honesty and accountability. In line with that commitment, we actively encourage all Trustees and Volunteers members who have serious concerns about any real or perceived departure from the high ethical standard that we set to voice those concerns openly.
We are committed to ensuring our policy remains effective. As part of our ongoing commitment, this policy is reviewed at least annually to verify its effective operation. Records of the reviews are maintained and any necessary amendments are made to the policy, as appropriate.
Our CSR principles
Our conduct
We aim to adopt the highest professional standards and not to act in such a way as to compromise our charities integrity.
We actively promote respect between our Trustees and Volunteers in their dealings with each other and with clients and other third parties.
Our working environment
We recognise that our Trustees and Volunteers are our most important resource. We actively seek to offer our Trustees and Volunteers a positive and healthy working environment and ensure that they have a rewarding volunteering experience and job satisfaction.
We seek to ensure that all Trustees and Volunteers have access to the training they need both for their own development and to enable them to deliver a high quality service.
We consider all Trustees and Volunteers to be equal and we aim to create a working environment which is free of unlawful discrimination.
Our community
We will allow Trustees and Volunteers time to enable them to carry out work in support of any other chosen charity and to encourage dialogue with local communities and groups for mutual benefit for ShoeAid
Our clients
We are committed to delivering a high level of service to all our clients. We understand that our charity exists in a very competitive market and in order to retain our clients we need to deliver a professional and courteous service.
Wherever possible, we take steps to promote equal opportunity in relation to access to the charitable services that we provide. We take account of the diversity of the communities we serve in order to ensure that, subject to funding constraints, our services are accessible to all clients.
Suppliers
We are committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination and to promoting equality and diversity in our professional dealings with suppliers and other third parties.
We endeavour to enter into clear and fair contracts with our suppliers.
Wherever possible, we aim to support the local economy by contracting with local suppliers.
Environment
We are committed to behaving responsibly and to minimising our impact on the environment. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment by:
- Minimising waste and adopting sensible recycling policies
- Providing safe and comfortable working conditions for our Trustees and Volunteers
- Ensuring that electrical equipment and lights are off when not in use
- Ensuring that heating is turned off or down outside office hours
Responsibility
Responsibility for this policy, including an annual review of the policy to:
- Ensure that it remains up to date, compliant and relevant to the needs of the organisation and its clients
- Verify it is in effective operation across the practice.
