Good works
Responsible Business
Good Works encapsulates everything we do both internally and externally for our people and planet. We established our ESG strategy Good Works because being a responsible and sustainable business is not only good for the planet and society today and in the future, but it is also good for business. We focus on a number of areas:
Responsible communications:
One of our most significant impacts, is through the work we undertake for our clients. We support our clients to achieve their sustainability goals, and challenge them to optimise their social and environmental impacts.
Community investment including pro/low bono work:
We encourage our agencies to use their services and talent as a force for good, including pro bono and low bono work. During 2021, we collated Group-wide data about our community investment activity, including pro bono, volunteering and cash donations.
Advocacy
We want to challenge the stereotypes and legacies of our industry, to make our impact on equity, diversity and inclusivity felt. We do this by raising awareness with our peers of the issues that matter to us. We have signed up for many cross industry pledges.
HIPZ
VCCP and international development charity HIPZ (Health Improvement Project Zanzibar) is a small charity with big plans to improve healthcare for everyone in Zanzibar. HIPZ works in partnership with the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar, and supports the management of two district hospitals, serving a population of 350,000 people.
VCCP’s partnership with HIPZ began right at the charity’s inception in 2007, and 14 years on, there is a whole VCCP creative team supporting HIPZ, working on brand identity, website, producing better external communications and improving the charity’s social media presence. Michael Sugden, the CEO of VCCP Group, was announced as a trustee in 2021. In February 2021, more than 50 of the agency team took part in The Zanzibar85, the charity’s virtual challenge.
Together with generous match-funding from VCCP, the challenge raised over £28,000. This year the challenge is back, and for the month of February, VCCP is taking on The Kili22 which entails VCCP employees climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (virtually); that’s running/walking 79km (or 2.8km a day).
Climate Action
The Climate Emergency is one of the biggest global challenges that we face. It is imperative that we play our part in reducing carbon emissions to prevent irreversible damage to our planet. In 2021, we committed to becoming Net Zero and to set Science-based targets. We contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in three ways:
- By reducing our own, direct carbon footprint.
- By working with our supply chain to reduce our indirect emissions through our Travel Charter.
- By influencing the environmental practices of both clients and consumers through our work.
Following our commitment to Science-based targets and a Net Zero strategy, our Scope 1 & 2 and Scope 3 Science-based targets were calculated and submitted to SBTi for validation in Q1 2022.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved our near-term science-based emissions reduction target. We have committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 46.2% by 2030 from a 2019 base year, and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 27.3% within the same timeframe.
In doing so, we have set emissions reduction targets that align with the Paris Agreement long-term temperature goal, as expressed in relevant IPCC reports, in particular the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) and the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5° (SR1.5)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diverse teams are no longer ‘nice to haves’, but are proven critical components of a productive, creative and successful business. Chime is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other manner of discrimination.
This includes recruitment, development, promotion and the provision of pay and benefits. The award winning D&I Collective drives change across the business.
VCCP Stoke Academy
VCCP opened up a new office in the birthplace of the British creative industry, Stoke-on-Trent, with the aim of providing training, work experience, mentoring and paid internship schemes, with a future apprenticeship scheme set to launch in 2022. Stoke has one of the highest rates of economic deprivation, especially among black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Wellbeing
Our employee’s wellbeing is a top priority at VCCP, whether our people are working from home or from our offices. That’s why we have a wide range of benefits and programmes available to all employees, both in person or virtually, from free counselling to mindful practices such as guided meditations or yoga. Throughout the year we run training sessions, workshops and events which provide practical advice, tools and techniques on a wide range of topics from sleep & resilience, financial planning and mental health awareness to menopause and puppy therapy.
Our charities
We like to offer a helping hand
