Together, we can provide opportunities for people to grow, and impact society in a way that helps build a long term and prosperous future for all. Acting ethically in everything we do remains at the heart of our vision and our responsible business approach is a key driver in achieving this.
Led by global societal challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we are committed to actions that drive positive change within all our communities. This means working with all stakeholders to support education, equity (ED&I) and the environment.
On this page
Communities
We encourage colleagues to make a difference
We recognise that our colleagues' passion goes above and beyond the day job and we want to give them opportunities to get involved in ways they can create a bigger impact. Whether it’s taking part in our volunteering programmes, charity work or just taking advantage of the many development and mentoring schemes here at Emerald, participation and involvement are always encouraged.
Each employee, regardless of location, has two volunteering days to use per annum on an activity of their choice – we also have an Emerald Volunteering Day.
Charity Partnerships in Yorkshire
This year we aim to raise £20,000 to be shared between the Keighley Imagination Library and the Yorkshire Children's Centre.
In addition, we will be hosting four world of work experiences for disadvantaged school children, through our partnership with One in a Million.
Find out more about each of these charities below.
Keighley Imagination Library
Children aged up to five in the wards of Keighley East, West and Central can be signed up to receive a free age-appropriate book every month, delivered to them at home and addressed to them personally.
The books include traditional stories and rhymes, books by well-known authors and illustrators and a mix of non-fiction and newly published titles. If a child is signed up from birth to their fifth birthday they will end the project with a library of 60 books.
The Imagination Library aims to increase the number of Keighley children who are ready to learn when they reach school at reception stage.
Yorkshire Children's Centre
Established in 1974, YCC is a regional charity that supports vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, and their families, within Kirklees and surrounding areas.
They aim to improve lives and inspire change through four interwoven strands of work. These are education, health and wellbeing, employability and skills, and relationships.
In doing so, they hope to drive equality of opportunity and social justice forward and empower individuals to make positive life choices and be the best they can be.
One in a Million
One in a Million is a charity in Bradford that focuses on providing threshold experiences for young people from disadvantaged communities, by giving them access to sports, arts, and enterprise. In doing so, they hope to support young people to build character, and develop positive lifestyle skills.
Over the course of the year, we will host four "World of Work" experience days with disadvantaged children from each of their partner schools. Find out more about One In A Million by watching their short film, and look out for updates and calls for volunteers.
Environment
Caring about the environment goes beyond the pages of a policy document
We strive to be an environmentally responsible company and pledge to create awareness and embed working practices that safeguard the environment, endorse sustainability, both locally and globally. Our six main initiatives include:
- Promoting reuse, reduce, recycling and removal, especially our plastic waste.
- Utilising green energy and identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption.
- Developing sustainable waste management strategies.
- Reducing unnecessary commuting through hybrid working.
- Educating and empowering colleagues through training and development initiatives.
- Encouraging and enabling colleagues to get involved in environmental projects that benefit our community socially, economically and environmentally.