'Even for big business, charity can still begin at home' by Eileen Rae

International Beverage has just revealed the first recipient of its new Spirit of Our Community Awards. Eileen Rae, the driving force behind the awards, is passionate about keeping charity initiatives local, and to making a difference on the company’s doorstep. Here’s why.

One of the most extraordinary experiences I had at work in 2022 took place on a freezing morning just before we all signed off for the festive break. Along with a small group of colleagues, I had the privilege of touring Buchanan High School, a hub for children with additional educational needs in Coatbridge, and to tell their inspiring team some good news. Their new project, GlenboigLarder@BHS- a subsidised in-school grocery store created to fight food poverty with dignity - had won our inaugural charitable giving programme: the Spirit of our Community Awards.

For them, this meant a donation of £10,000 to support what our judges agreed was a most deserving project. For us? A buzz bigger than any Christmas party could deliver and the sense of pride that comes from knowing you’ve done a little bit of good in the world.

Companies partnering with charities is nothing new. We’ve been happily doing our bit for the local communities surrounding our Airdrie HQ and five Scottish distilleries for years.  But for me, these new awards have been about something more. We’ve had the chance to really listen and understand what’s happening in our local community, where many of our staff and their families and friends live. And to find out the causes that matter most, and how we can do something positive to help.

It has been an incredibly enriching experience for me and many of our employees. And along the way, as well as learning a huge amount, it has reinforced the values of our business when it comes to charitable giving.

1. Impact, not appearances: authenticity wins over corporate gesture every time. The real benefit comes from the pride that making a difference generates throughout the whole organisation. Not what looks good in your annual report!

2. Sow small seeds: I’m glad we started small, taking our time to listen to our teams, meet local charities and do something meaningful in our first year. We’ve created strong roots to grow from in the future. 

3. Include everyone: we purposefully set out to lead this project from the grassroots and up, so that everyone in the business could feel included and represented. From spreading the word and judging entries to volunteering at the Larder once it’s up and running. There’s a way for everyone to make a difference.  
4. Make it personal: people choose and support their own individual causes, so how do you rally business teams around a shared charity commitment at work? We’ve found that everyone has a natural, personal affinity with what’s happening in our shared local community. They feel connected, they see the impact, and it drives enthusiasm and a desire to get involved.