The Tetley Group has a long-standing tradition of embracing its responsibilities to the communities and environment in which it works, across the globe

The Tetley Group has a long history of philanthropy. In recent years, the company's work in this area has developed into a formal corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme designed to help manage and improve the impact its business on the wider world in which it operates.

There is growing interest in the way that companies run their businesses and large enterprises are expected to take their responsibilities seriously. At Tetley, conducting business in a responsible way has always been a priority. The company recognises that every action and the implementation of that action affects people, communities and the environment. From buying tea from estates around the world to the point where its many tea products are sold, understanding and addressing the impact of its business activities is central to the way the company works.

Reputation enhancement is not the driver of the company's activity though it does acknowledge that the reputation of those companies who are doing good work in this area can benefit. As one of the largest tea manufacturers in the world and a recognised brand in over 40 countries, Tetley knows that its CSR activities will be scrutinised — and rightly so.

The company's sense of responsibility runs throughout its business, with all its employees expected to get involved in a growing programme of local and global activities dealing with a range of ethical, social and environmental issues.

Support for Others
'Support for Others' is a programme the company undertook with the aim of making a positive difference to the people and communities who are linked to its business in some way. The programme goes much further than traditional corporate donations and employee fundraising. It includes a range of activities from reading schemes at local primary schools to a major corporate partnership in Malawi.

The company's most significant international activity is its work in Malawi with the international development organisation Concern Universal.

Malawi represents a significant area of operation for Tetley. It produces teas that are a main component in some of the company's best selling blends, giving them a rich red colour. Tetley buys more tea from Malawi than any other tea packer. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world and as such becomes a prime candidate for the company to work with.

Tetley's vision is to bring about a positive and sustained change in the lives of the rural poor in the tea-growing regions of Malawi. It has committed resources in Malawi which each year will give at least 10,000 villagers access to clean water, and improved sanitation and hygiene. Since the project began, over 10,125 people have been given access to wells and boreholes near their home, 31 per cent of households in the area where Tetley is working have latrines, and villagers have improved access to education to help improve health and hygiene practices.

As part of its partnership, the company has created an opportunity for its employees to work with Concern Universal in Malawi, providing a unique personal development experience whilst enabling skills transfer from Tetley to Concern Universal.

Beyond Malawi, the company works with a variety of charities to ensure that all employees feel that over time it has supported a project that is important to them. We look for organisations that are a good fit with its business and for opportunities where both partners can learn and change for the better.

Supporting health concerns in Australia and Canada
Tetley Canada supports the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, heightening awareness of the charity through on-pack promotions and fundraising through a mix of activities.

Tetley Australia is working in partnership with the Jean Hailes Foundation, one of Australia's leading women's health organisations. The Jean Hailes Foundation provides a unique response to the needs of women through excellence in clinical research, community and professional education and unique clinical care. Tetley employees have been involved with fundraising and have worked with Jean Hailes to create a website that helps women achieve physical and emotional wellbeing (www.tetleywellbeing4life.com.au).

Teaching English to children in Poland
In Poland, Tetley Polska has started work with the Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility to teach English to underprivileged children. For children in Poland having the ability to speak English is a valuable skill that will improve their future prospects.

Tetley employees, together with student teachers from the Warsaw School of Economics and Organisation of Students of Economics, visit over 30 Polish schools to teach English.

Working with the British Heart Foundation and providing to tea to homeless people
In the UK, the company has aligned itself with a number of organisations whose causes fit company values.

For the last four years, the Tetley brand has promoted the British Heart Foundation, raising over £800,000 which has helped the BHF to continue its pioneering work in research and education, saving millions of lives. Tetley's support has ranged from promoting positive wellbeing messages through to on-pack promotions, direct mail and creative PR programmes.

Donations need not be entirely monetary; for some, a cup of tea is just as welcome. The vision of the UK charity Crisis is to fight homelessness, empower people to fulfil their potential and transform their lives. The company provide Crisis with donations of its products for their Christmas shelters for homeless people, which are warmly received. "Our event runs on tea!" say Crisis representatives.

Working with the Samaritans in the UK to provide emotional support
Until recently, Tetley in the UK also worked to support Samaritans, Britain's only charity with the sole purpose of providing emotional support for those in need. The partnership arose from the values of the importance of sitting down and sharing a problem over a cup of tea. Challenging fundraising targets were put in place which have been achieved. Tetley employees were encouraged to develop innovative events to raise money. The company collected over £30,000 in two years — more than seven times its previous annual fundraising achievement.

Tetley operates a 'Tea Kits' scheme in the UK. The scheme allows employees to apply for a 'kit' of Tetley products and branded cups that can be used to support any charity at no cost to the employee.

The scheme has been very successful and remains one of its more popular initiatives. With over 250 requests since the scheme began, kits are being used to raise money for school events, church gatherings and all manner of local community activities.

Supporting local communities
Tetley is proud to be giving something back to the local community of Greenford, the home of The Tetley Group. For over three years, the company has been working with Oldfield Primary school, a ten-minute walk away from its offices. Tetley employees regularly give up their lunch hour to go and read to children at the school.

Continuing on the education theme, its factory in Eaglescliffe has recently begun to give older children work experience at the factory and gives tours to help them to learn more about Tetley's work and provide them with valuable experience of working life.

Corporate support
In times of global need Tetley, like the Tata Group, is keen to help — raising £12,000 in the wake of the tsunami disaster of 2004 — £7,000 of which was passed to the Group to aid immediate relief work in India and £5,000 of which is being used to rebuild a community in Batticaloe, Sri Lanka, in a project managed by Watawala Plantations. The company also works with the DARE project, run by Tata Tea at Munnar.

Tetley's work to support people and communities around the world is part and parcel of the company's business. The company is proud of what it has achieved through its people and is committed to continually improving its programme of activity.

Uploaded on February 17, 2006