Archives for April 2011

BS OHSAS 18001 is all about promoting a safe and healthy working environment and was developed by a selection of leading trade bodies, international standards and certification bodies.

It was designed to be compatible with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and to help organizations meet their health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.

OHSAS 18001 can be adopted by any organization wishing to implement a formal procedure to reduce the risks associated with health and safety in the working environment for employees, customers and the general public.

Gary Williamson, RCS’s Health, Safety, Quality and Environment Manager who led the process commented that: “It was pleasing to see the RCS operations team so clearly demonstrating their awareness and understanding of their responsibilities and their adherence to the required procedures.

“It confirms that we have a sound framework that allows us to identify and control our health and safety risks, reduces the potential for accidents and ensures legislative compliance and improved overall performance.”

Managing Director, David Sambrook, passed on his thanks and congratulations to Gary and pointed to the enthusiastic support provided by the Operations Team. “With the gaining of ISO 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), RCS now operates a fully integrated management system to include ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environment).

“This demonstrates that our service delivery is managed in an efficient and responsible manner and is a clear benefit to our staff and our customers.”

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Today our corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme is owned and run by our staff and we are justifiably proud of the work undertaken by RCS in the community and of the projects we support. Our volunteer CSR champions are representative of all parts of the organisation and they help to promote the company’s CSR culture whilst also encouraging staff to get involved in a wide range of fundraising and community initiatives close to their own hearts.

To highlight the company¹s stance with regard to our corporate social responsibility activities, we have recently commissioned a film entitled ‘Cleaning and Caring’ which explains in detail the rationale behind RCS’s commitment to supporting causes such as, amongst others, Demelza Hospice Care for Children and the Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s ‘Disability and Mental Health’ programme.

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As Patrons of CACT’s Disability and Mental Health programme the event was attended by RCS’s Frank Coles and James Reeds. Both were extremely impressed with the excellent work that has been achieved and by the difference CACT’s partnership with the Kent and Medway NHS makes to the lives of those who it engages with.

This ground-breaking project helps clients with psychosis and other mental health issues by focusing on sport, activity and social events to help promote recovery and development.

Speaking after the event Frank Coles said: “James and I were delighted to attend such an important occasion and we were both impressed by the wide range of activities that take place and by the amazing way in which this project supports the young people and helps to build their confidence and self-belief.

“The importance that the support of RCS as Patrons will be to the work of CACT in continuing to build on the excellent progress that has been made in mental health wellbeing was very clear to see.”

At the event, each participant was presented with an achievement award by guest speaker and CACT Trustee, Karl Howman. They also received a DVD that featured an overview of the year’s activities that they have been involved in.

For further information go to: https://cact.org.uk/

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The South London Business Awards 2011, in association with HSBC, is a prestigious awards programme that is open to any company located in one or more of the twelve London Boroughs south of the River Thames. The two awards entered for are ‘Commitment to the Community’ and ‘Best Business for Sustainability’.

South London Business is a business development company which has been set up to support and promote business, enhance regeneration, reduce unemployment and up-skill the work force. RCS Managing Director David Sambrook said: “We are proud of the lead we take in our industry sector with sustainable solutions and working in the community and we are confident that this will compare favourably with the whole business Community.”

The South London Business Awards 2011 will end with a gala dinner and awards ceremony in June 2011 at Park Plaza Riverbank London.

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Building on the long term relationship with Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT), RCS have now become official Patrons of CACT’s renowned ‘Disability and Mental Health’ programme, which includes the award winning ‘Charlton Upbeats’, the sports development programme for young people with Down’s Syndrome.

The Trust works in partnership with local communities to empower individuals to improve their lives and their environment. CACT’s ground-breaking and innovative programmes are delivered through a regular presence in schools and working with disadvantaged or socially excluded groups in society, through crime reduction initiatives and community based football coaching sessions. CACT has become the biggest football related trust in the UK and it now works with over 200 agencies and operates programmes attended by 7,500 young people every week.

‘Charlton Upbeats’ provides the opportunity for participants from London and the south-east to have weekly activity at the Charlton Athletic FC Training Ground. The football specific programmes have now developed to include multi-sports such as tri golf, boxing, dance and hockey.

The programme also includes the Ability Counts Football Club which operates three junior teams (U11, U13 & U14). Two players from Ability Counts FC have gone on to represent England in their specific impairment group.

As Patrons of the ‘Disability and Mental Health’ programme, RCS will enjoy an exclusive association with one of the most important strands of CACT’s work, including opportunities for RCS staff to volunteer to directly involve themselves with helping on projects and assignments.

Peter Varney, the Vice Chairman of Charlton Athletic Community Trust said: “We are delighted that RCS have agreed to become Patrons of our ‘Disability and Mental Health’ programme.

“The company has been generously supporting the work of CACT for many years and without such support programmes such as the ‘Charlton Upbeats’ just wouldn’t be possible.

“My colleagues and I at CACT look forward to working with Terry, David and the team at RCS to ensure that our vital work in disability and mental health continues to thrive and expand.”

Terry Carrigan, Chairman of RCS said: “We have long believed that it is vitally important that businesses support charities and local good causes.

“It is extremely difficult, particularly in the current economic climate, for charities to raise the necessary funds to enable their crucial work to continue.

“By supporting the wonderful work of the Charlton Athletic Community Trust, RCS and its staff will be playing our part in ensuring the continuing success of CACT’s ground-breaking programmes in disability and mental health.”

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RCS have provided a full range of services to this 21 storey multi-tenanted building since 2004. David Sambrook commented “We were delighted to further our association with Marble Arch Tower for a further contract period; it is testimony to the consistency of our service levels and value offering.”

At the same time there were eight new contracts all starting on the same morning. “It was a great team effort” reported Operations Director Tom Lloyd. “I was delighted to see all RCS functions working together so well to achieve a seamless takeover of services.”

The new business included an award by Jones Lang LaSalle to provide cleaning and a range of soft services to five properties in the West End.

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