Words by Abi Scaife
The Corporate Cause section in the Smiley Charity Film Awards is a chance for businesses to demonstrate how they’re giving back. It’s a hugely important and impactful category, allowing us to celebrate their partnerships with charities and causes that benefit our world.
NEXT has collaborated with Dementia UK, giving their support to the charity through a cushion embroidered with the word ‘Loved’, of which 25.4% of the sale price will go to Dementia UK. They also created a film about their collaboration, which they have entered into the Smiley Charity Film Awards.
We caught up with Andy Latham, the Group Health, Safety, Environment & Wellbeing Manager at NEXT, to hear more about how they are supporting Dementia UK.
NEXT initially started working with Dementia UK, and particularly Admiral Nurses due to the stories our colleagues tell us about their family and friends. Across all our Divisions, this is a cause that resonates with and touches many of our colleagues and one which they feel it [is] important to engage with. Activities where we have partnered with Dementia UK such as product collaborations and "lunch and learn" events have been incredibly well-received and beneficial to everyone involved.
Where NEXT engages in charity work it aims to make a positive contribution to society by giving to causes and communities that matter to our employees and customers; especially those in the countries and territories we operate in and source our products from.
Many of our customers and employees are charitable and in turn, expect us to support good causes. We donate money, gifts, goods and food that are directly beneficial to a range of causes or indirectly beneficial to them or through other resources such as expertise, knowledge or time and through the distribution of carrier bag levies and other similar payments. We also allow our colleagues to engage with customers and each other to fundraise for chosen causes.
By getting involved in this type of work, we help customers and colleagues get a little bit of an insight into what NEXT stands for.
We believe that where we engage in charity work, we can help in two main ways:
- By donating money, goods or resources that will help the charity to develop capacity and thus have an impact greater than the value of the donation
- By collaborating with charities to use the power of their and NEXT's brand to raise awareness and spread the word of the great work they do....whilst hopefully raising some capacity-building funds for them in the process.
You can watch NEXT’s entry into the Smiley Charity Film Awards here on the CFA website. You can learn more about NEXT by going to their website, and more about Dementia UK here on their website.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Dementia UK. This is a charity that provides Admiral Nurses for families affected by dementia, to help support those in need. Find out more here.
Alzheimer’s Research UK. Alzheimer's Research UK are the UK's leading Alzheimer's research charity aiming to find a cure for dementia. Learn how to support them here.
Alzheimer’s Society. They are working towards a world without dementia, and are giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future. Learn more here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing, Partnerships for the Goals.
