Community

Community

Tate & Lyle Sugars aims to play a positive role in the communities in which we operate by:

  • Helping to create local communities that are safe, prosperous and healthy.
  • Expanding the employee skill base and enhancing engagement through volunteering.
  • Maintaining the company’s standing as a socially responsible organisation.

Background

The company has a long history of supporting its local communities, dating back to the 19th Century and the philanthropy of our co-founders Henry Tate and Abram Lyle.  Today, this is translated into a focused community programme based on long-term partnerships, centred around the London Borough of Newham, where Thames Refinery and Plaistow Wharf are located. 

This long-term investment is vital in building ongoing relationships and supporting local communities in improving their lives. It also offers the opportunity for our employees to get involved and undertake voluntary work.

Working with the Community

Today, this means running community programmes and supporting long-term community partners not only with grants but with employee volunteering.  Tate & Lyle Sugars is represented on the Newham Education Business Partnership Board (NEBP), which runs programmes that help young people in Newham schools and colleges develop the skills and qualities needed for employment.

Tate & Lyle Sugars gives all employees the opportunity to get involved in volunteering, either as individuals or as part of a team, and sees it as an important development opportunity to further enhance their skills.

Metropolitan Police - Junior Citizens

We donate space at our refinery site for the Junior Citizens Programme run by the Metropolitan Police, aimed at primary school children.  It is run four times a year, and focuses on safety awareness, with over 6,000 children having taken part.  Other agencies involved include the Fire Brigade, St John’s Ambulance and the Environment Agency.  Children are taken through potentially life-saving scenarios such as ‘stranger danger’, contacting the emergency services, fire awareness and safety.

Community Links

This started as a youth club based in a double-decker bus for which Tate & Lyle Sugars provided secure overnight parking.  Community Links is now a charity focused on local regeneration, including youth clubs, advice centres and activities for the elderly.

‘Our partnership with Tate & Lyle Sugars stretches back over thirty years.  It originates with the refinery providing safe overnight storage for our Playbus.  Each year the refinery community enthusiastically participates in numerous fundraising and voluntary activities in support of our work.  Tate & Lyle Sugars is woven into the very fabric of the community and its partnership with Community Links sets a record for length and breadth.’  Geraldine Blake, Chief Executive

Richard House Children’s Hospice

Richard House, the first children’s hospice in London, supports families who have children with life-threatening or complex healthcare needs up to the age of 19.  Tate & Lyle Sugars has supported the hospice for approximately 15 years, even before the hospice building was completed.

Tate & Lyle Sugars is a superb supporter of Richard House Children’s Hospice and was one of our very first corporate supporters; the support continues to this day, through corporate donations and employee fundraising.  Being associated with such a great name has made it easier for us to approach other businesses.  And above all, such superb, genuine long-term commitment allows us to more effectively plan and deliver our services, which makes such a difference to the lives of the children and families we work with.’  Peter Ellis, Chief Executive

Community Food Enterprise

A social enterprise improving community access to affordable, high quality fresh fruit and vegetables in East London.  We provide financial assistance and free office and warehouse accommodation at Thames Refinery.

Tate & Lyle Sugars’ support has been crucial to the transformation of Community Food Enterprise (CFE) from an informal group of food-stalls operating in West Ham and Plaistow, into an award winning food business.  As the first local company to provide long-term support to CFE in their quest to build a sustainable business, Tate & Lyle Sugars has been instrumental in transforming the company into one of the largest community food businesses in the country, as well as assisting with its rebranding and the creation of the new company logo.’  Eric Samuel, Chief Executive

Volunteer in the Community (VitC) Scheme

This scheme enables our employees to give personal time to the local communities by applying to become a VitC. Employees are able to take up to three days of paid leave per year to participate in their chosen activity, as well as being given a £250 donation to their preferred organisation.  This could include acting as a school governor or coaching junior sports clubs.

Match Funding

We support employees who raise money for charity through match funding.  For our main community partners, we 100% match the funding raised by employees up to a maximum of £3000.  For other charities we 50% match the donations up to a maximum of £250 (certain charities are excluded).

Give As You Earn (GAYE)

We encourage employees to make donations to charity using GAYE, the most tax efficient method for employees to make regular donations through a deduction from their salary.  The added benefit is that Tate & Lyle Sugars will 50% match all donations to suitable charities.  The company currently holds the Government's Silver Payroll Giving Quality Mark Award for employee participation.