At Henry Schein UK, we believe in giving back and fostering a strong team spirit, and we are excited to share with you the inspiring stories of the great work being done by our team and the positive impact we are making in our community.
In this blog post, we will take you on a journey through our recent efforts with Forward2Employment and Retire Your Attire, as well as the community works of our Team Schein Members (TSMs) in the half marathon and conservation work.
Forward2Employment: empowering young talent
We are thrilled to announce that three more interns from Forward2Employment have become permanent members of our operations team, contributing their valuable skills to our Materials Handling department.
Our partnership with Forward2Employment has been an essential part of our commitment to support young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) in Medway, Kent, and the Southeast. Since 2018, we have welcomed four groups of interns into our business, resulting in eleven fully supported internships at our distribution warehouse in Gillingham. We are proud to see these young individuals grow and thrive within our company, and we look forward to supporting more talented interns in the future.
‘Retire Your Attire’: making a difference, one donation at a time
Our Women’s Leadership Network UKINSA chapter recently organised the 'Retire your Attire' campaign, a heartwarming initiative that allowed our TSMs to clear out their unwanted work clothes and donate them to charity. Collection points were set up in Gillingham, Cardiff, Derby, Ilkley, and BA International in Northampton.
Our donations made a significant impact on three chosen charities. In Gillingham, we supported the Kent & Medway Community Sharewear charity, providing free-of-charge clothing choices to women and children in economic difficulty. The donated clothes became part of their employability program, helping women survivors of domestic abuse prepare for formal interviews and re-enter the workforce.
Additionally, our other sites donated to two charities in Milton Keynes: MK Storehouse, which provides clothing for struggling families and individuals, and Works for Us, offering employability support and interview-appropriate outfits for job applicants of any gender.
Caroline Goodwin: running for a cause
Caroline Goodwin, our HR and Talent Acquisition Coordinator, set herself a challenge that was completely out of her comfort zone: running the 2023 Hackney Half Marathon to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Despite considering herself a ‘non-runner’ at the start of the year, Caroline's determination and dedication paid off.
With the help of an online coach, Caroline trained for six months, gradually increasing her fitness and distance, and on the 21st of May 2023, she crossed the finish line with an unmatched sense of accomplishment. Not only did Caroline conquer her personal challenge, but she also raised over £400 for an important cause. Her passion and commitment inspire us all, and we can't wait to see her achieve even more in her next marathon!
Sustainability in action: Bute Park conservation
Our TSMs are not only dedicated to their work but are also eager to contribute to the community and the environment. Recently, a group of TSMs from our Cardiff office, Southwest sales team, and Technical Service Support Team volunteered at Bute Park Conservation in Cardiff.
The day was filled with camaraderie and enthusiasm as the team engaged in litter picking and removing Himalayan Balsam from the forestry. Their efforts helped create a cleaner and greener space for everyone to enjoy.
Sam Cornelius, Service & Sales Team Leader, commended the team's dedication: “We had a fantastic time volunteering with Bute Park Conservation. Helping clear such a beautiful space in wonderful sunshine was really enjoyable and we were all keen to use a volunteer day to help the environment.
“I would like to thank Sam Mead in our drawing office for doing such a great job liaising with the park ranger and planning this event, and for everyone who came along and took part.”
