Help us honour those who make a difference

Last year, the Worcestershire Ambassadors launched the Community Social Responsibility (CSR) awards to recognise the activity around us which supports and strengthens our community.

So much goes on in this county of ours to support our charities, our elderly, our children – and it is only right to shout about it.

When they were launched, the awards were greeted with enthusiasm and delight, and quite rightly. Once again this year, entries are under way to nominate those individuals and businesses who are trying to make a difference to where we live, how we live and how others live their lives.

The awards are open to all businesses and individuals across the county and entries can be made until Friday, September 9, after which the judging process will then see entries narrowed down, ready to announce first the finalists.

The overall winners will be announced at a special black tie event on Wednesday, November 23, at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways stadium. The categories are community, the environment, the workplace and staff and then an individual award for excellence in CSR.

Chairman of the Worcestershire Ambassadors Phil Dutton is organising the awards with the Ambassadors’ management group.

He said: “There are so many fantastic community initiatives going on across Worcestershire in businesses, homes, community groups and sports clubs, and it is the aim of the Worcestershire Ambassadors to applaud this, because it is all for the good of our county.

“In businesses such as Jutexpo and Festival Housing, it is clear to see the hard work and commitment to the community and there are so many individuals doing exactly the same every day. If you know someone who does this, why not put them forward for the awards and help give them the recognition they deserve.”

To find out more information about the categories, to download an application form or to book tickets for the black tie event, visit the website at worcestershireambassadors.com.

􀁥 The Worcestershire Ambassadors are individuals who care passionately about the future health and prosperity of the county. Drawn from all strands of the community, they share a common enthusiasm to create a county to be proud of. The objective is to promote all that is great about living and working in this county, linking organisations together and developing the social and economic prosperity of the county. To find out more, visit worcestershireambassadors.com.

Company had it in the bag

THE winner of the environmental category last year was Jutexpo.

With more than 30 million bags sold since it was founded in 2002, Jutexpo is the leading supplier of jute and juco reusable shopping bags in the UK.

From its offices in Broadway, near Evesham, Jutexpo supplies ethically produced reusable bags that are eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, cotton and canvas bags and are all produced from sustainable resources. The company supplies to all major supermarkets and many independent businesses and noncommercial organisations, irrespective of their size.

Sam Turner is compliance director for Jutexpo and he spearheads the company’s commitment to the community.

He said: “Winning the award was both a privilege and a great way to illustrate our fundamental principles to a wider audience. CSR is not at the core of our business, it is our business.

“Every bag we sell represents all the hard work here in the UK and out in Kolkata, India, into what we call Beyond the Bag. Every bag is made by people, not machines, so it is important to have a strong ethical base.

“Every bag used also helps change people’s habits that little bit, as we strive to move to a more reusable society. We wish all the best to the nominees and the eventual winner of this year’s award.”

Last year’s winner of the individual category was Angela Davies, from Postcode Anywhere.

The 2010 winner of the workplace and staff category was Festival Housing and DHL won the community category.