The Bereavement Centre Shortlisted in Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards 2016
The Bereavement Centre, a free bereavement counselling and training service from The Southern Co-operative, has been shortlisted in the 2016 Responsible Business Awards, the most prestigious and rigorous awards championing responsible business at home and abroad.
The Southern Co-operative’s Bereavement Centre was recognised for ‘a commendable submission, addressing a clear societal need’ in The Experian Building Stronger Communities Award category, in recognition of Sir John Peace.
The Bereavement Centre counsellors. L-R: Janet Quintavalle, Ingrid McAllister-Derry and Gary Orchard
The Bereavement Centre offers help to those living across the South of England who are bereaved and in need of support. The Bereavement Centre provides one to one bereavement counselling, support groups, and memorial services to the public free of charge. The service also offers free bespoke training or education days, conferences and workshops to its community partnership groups, such as hospices, hospitals and charities.
Steve Pearce, Chief Operating Officer for End of Life Services at The Southern Co-operative said:
“It is such an honour for the hard work and commitment of our colleagues at The Bereavement Centre to be recognised by Business in the Community and awarded ‘Shortlisted’ status. The service has helped to improve the lives of thousands of individuals in our communities who have suffered loss and also educated multiple organisations and professionals who in turn are putting their training into practice to help those who are bereaved. It is a service that we are extremely proud of at The Southern Co-operative and hope to continue to expand the service over the coming years.”
Driven by the charity Business in the Community (BITC), HRH The Prince of Wales’ Responsible Business Network, the 2016 Responsible Business Awards celebrate inspiring examples of businesses that are making a significant difference by taking action to improve their local communities, create more inclusive workplaces and tackle environmental challenges
Between January 2014 and December 2015, The Bereavement Centre provided support and friendship to over 6,800 bereaved individuals, whilst educating over 3,970 individuals through community partnerships, helping them to facilitate the needs of the bereaved and grow their knowledge of the death process.
The announcement of the 2016 Responsible Business Awards shortlist coincides with Responsible Business Week (18-22 April 2016) an annual initiative to increase awareness of the positive contribution of business in society.
Business in the Community received 297 entries for the Responsible Business Awards, shortlisted 103 and re-accredited a further 82 entries for demonstrating continual impact in their responsible business programme.
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said:
“We know that every day businesses contribute towards more resilient communities, stimulate local economies, help to create skilled and healthy workforces and tackle environmental challenges. But more companies need to share these ideas and actions to grow the responsible business movement in the UK and abroad, which is why we launched Responsible Business Week.
“Today’s Responsible Business Awards shortlist represents the very best of business. Celebrating their stories helps raise awareness of business as a powerful force for good.”
Now in its 19th year, the Responsible Business Awards are open to companies of all sizes, from SMEs to multi-nationals, and across all sectors. Categories cover a wide range of positive business activities, from investing in the health and wellbeing of employees, nurturing young people to develop skills, supporting rural communities and more disadvantaged members of society, to helping the resilience of communities in the face of international disasters.
