At URM, we understand the power that businesses have to benefit their communities. As such, we pride ourselves on being a socially responsible company, and are committed to ensuring that the only impact we have on others is a positive one. Led by our core values of always being trustworthy, ethical and maintaining a supportive environment, we have made a significant effort over the years to provide our team members with a safe and understanding place of work, and to ‘give back’ to our community and planet.
Environmental Impact Statement
We, at URM, are committed to being a carbon-neutral organisation. As part of this commitment, we have assessed how we can reduce and offset our carbon footprint as a business. To reduce our carbon footprint, we have encouraged all staff members to carpool and to use public transport more frequently. Meanwhile, to offset the carbon we do produce, we have taken advantage of Trainline’s Train Hugger initiative, through which a tree is planted per journey booked. We have also partnered with an organisation, called Treeapp, which enables organisations to achieve their sustainability goals by planting trees on their behalf where they are needed most.
Through Treeapp, we have planted 1,000 trees this year (2024), which will offset 109 tonnes of carbon (nearly double the amount of carbon we produced in 2023). These trees are planted in Burundi, a small country in East Africa. We chose to plant trees in Burundi as not only will this reduce our carbon footprint, but will also contribute to the local economy. Some of the trees planted in Burundi provide nuts and seeds to feed local communities, providing them with an income from selling the seeds and nuts, and helping to restore the soil to support local farming practices.
We will continue to collaborate with Treeapp to maintain our carbon neutral status. For those who would like to join us in working with Treeapp, its website can be found here: https://www.thetreeapp.org
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At URM, we believe that diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We value the unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of each individual, and our team comprises individuals from various ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, abilities and sexual orientations. We strive to foster a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute. By promoting a culture of openness and belonging, we look to ensure that every voice is heard. We are also committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees and stakeholders; this includes implementing fair hiring practices and working practices that are flexible and accommodating, and ensuring that our facilities and resources are accessible to all.
Fundraising and Charity Support
Trussell Trust
For several years now, we have been working alongside the Trussell Trust, a non-profit organisation which supports a nationwide network of food banks. In that time, members of our team have shopped for and delivered to their local foodbank on behalf of URM, donating 1-2 tonnes of goods annually and ensuring that much needed food and household items are provided. Meanwhile, in early 2024, a team of URM colleagues participated in the Reading Business Fives charity football event (and even made it to the final!), where they played in support of the Trussell Trust.
We are delighted to continue to offer donations and support to the Trussell Trust and play a part in helping fight poverty and hunger in the UK.
The following are a list of food banks we have donated to:
Sarcoma UK
URM is a proud supporter of Sarcoma UK, a national bone and soft tissue cancer charity. As well as providing key information and support to individuals affected by sarcoma (cancers that form in the bones and soft tissues), Sarcoma UK funds research projects that aim to increase the accuracy of sarcoma diagnoses, find new and better treatments for sarcoma, and improve outcomes for sarcoma patients. Since 2009, Sarcoma UK has committed over £6.8 million to 87 research projects.
In July 2024, 3 of our colleagues took on the National 3 Peaks Challenge, climbing and descending the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) in just over 24 hours, in order to raise money for a Sarcoma UK research project into new treatments for leiomyosarcoma (LMS), a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer for which there is currently no cure. In doing so, our colleagues raised a total fund in excess of £10,000, incorporating URM matching the sum total of personal donations at the time of finishing the Challenge. Find out more about Sarcoma UK and how you can support the Charity here: https://sarcoma.org.uk
Youth Excellence Support Programme
URM has launched its Youth Excellence Support Programme, which is aimed at investing in youth talent across all fields and giving them a helping hand to get to the next level. Through this Programme, we sponsor young people who are known to a URM team member and striving for excellence in a particular field (be it sport, music, performing arts, etc.) and need support achieving a particular goal, providing them with the help they need to reach that next stage and continue to progress in their area of interest and expertise.
The first member of the Youth Excellence Support Programme was 19-year-old Cameron Hickey. URM sponsored Cameron to attend a specialised, focused judo training camp in Lisbon, where he met the 2016 Italian Olympic Champion, who provided him with invaluable advice on improving his technique and mindset. Since then, Cameron has won silver at the British National U21 Judo Championships, and has also earned a place on the GB Judo Team through consistent hard work, commitment and dedication.
We look forward to continuing to support talented young people aiming high in a range of fields.