Parkgate Shopping earns Big Tick from Community Champions

28 June 2012

Rotherham’s Parkgate Shopping has won a Big Tick award in the prestigious Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2012, which showcases the best of responsible business in action, for an apprenticeship programme run jointly with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust.

The Awards for Excellence, the UK’s most influential, independent, peer assessed corporate responsibility recognition, were presented to Yorkshire organisations at a ceremony in Harrogate.
 
“Our objectives when we were first looking at the Apprentice Scheme with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust were to find a programme that would inspire young people, build up their confidence and employability skills, provide positive diversions from anti-social behaviour and encourage team-building to break down barriers, “ said Parkgate Manager, Denis Copeland.

“Gaining this award is a tribute to all the staff and young people who have participated in this outstanding scheme,” he added.

Big Ticks are awarded to companies who have demonstrated positive social, environmental and economic impacts, which reflect their own corporate values. Adrian Penfold, Head of Planning and Corporate Responsibility at Parkgate’s owners, British Land, said, ‘We are delighted with this achievement and this reflects our approach to community investment through British Land’s Community Charter and its ten commitments, which aim to ensure that we develop long term relationships and positive impacts with our local communities.’

First image: Receiving the award are Denis Copeland (second left) and Billy Smith (second right) from Parkgate, Jamie Noble (far right) from Rotherham United. Presenting the awards were April Wickens, Community Relations Officer from Jaguar Land Rover, and Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community (far left)

Second image: Matt Burrows, the successful Apprentice from Rawmarsh, appeared on a special film that was screened at the gala dinner. He said in an interview: “I now lead sessions as part of our coaching team and am continuing to develop as both a coach and as a person. My next challenge will be to become a mentor to the next successful applicant in the apprentice programme with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust and Parkgate. Could I have imagined myself standing in front of a schools class and delivering a lesson on motivation? The Parkgate /Rotherham United Community Sports Trust Apprentice programme has enabled me to do this, and I sometimes pinch myself when I think of the opportunity I have been given.”

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