People and community

As a global responsible business with strong values and a rich history, we place huge importance on our cohesive CSR programme. Family values and ethos have been behind the success of OCS since its beginnings in 1900. Today, our business has the scale and commitment to make a significant and positive contribution to the communities in which we work.

We know that someone’s social or economic background can have a huge impact on their ability to reach their full potential. That’s why we support and deliver programmes that develop the capacity and skills of socially and economically disadvantaged people in the communities in which we work.

The issues we’ve chosen relate to who we are. OCS employs more than 87,000 people around the world from diverse backgrounds.

Examples of our work across all geographic regions include:

United Kingdom

• Apprenticeships: In 12 months we’ve recruited more than 200 apprentices throughout the UK to work in a range of businesses from NHS hospitals to large financial institutions.
• Work placements: We continue to promote work placements on our contracts. For example, at Queen Alexander College we provide opportunities to students with visual impairments and other disabilities, to gain experience working within our onsite catering outlet.
• Bromley by Bow Centre (BBBC): In 2014, OCS formed a strategic partnership with the Bromley by Bow Centre in East London. The Centre is a nationally and internationally renowned charity that has built its reputation on an integrated and holistic approach to community regeneration and via its work in community partnership building. Through this partnership, OCS draws on a broad range of expertise to support innovative approaches to CSR and stakeholder engagement, with the BBBC advising on and helping to create integrated community facilities.
• Blackpool Food Partnership: This coalition of voluntary, public and private sector partners works to address food poverty and related issues in Blackpool, one of the UK’s most deprived areas. Supermarkets and local farms donate food which is then distributed to community groups or used in a food parcel scheme (the local equivalent of food banks). Currently 38 organisations (including children’s centres, hostels and community kitchens) benefit from the distributions. OCS has provided five fridges, two fridge-freezers and two insectocutors, as well as food hygiene training for BFP’s volunteers. This has enabled BFP to accept donations of fresh fruit and vegetables for the first time – food that would otherwise go to landfill or fuel. The fresh produce is also enabling a new initiative to teach people to cook inexpensive, healthy meals.

Australia and New Zealand

OCS New Zealand has partnered with a number of non-governmental and government institutions to help local communities across the country. One such partnership is between OCS New Zealand and First Foundation, an educational trust that assists young New Zealanders with limited financial means to access tertiary education. This venture has provided financial assistance, one-on-one mentoring and paid work experience with OCS Group.

OCS New Zealand has also been working closely with the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development and Workbridge (a not for profit organisation). This partnership has a specific focus on securing vocational training and job placement assistance for the long-term unemployed and individuals with mental or physical disabilities.

OCS Australia has continued to support local recruitment providers working with employees who are undergoing rehabilitation as a result of injury or mental illness, helping them back into the workplace. Moreover, OCS Australia is providing ongoing support for the annual Variety Bash car rally in Western Australia. The car rally requires participants to raise a minimum of $10,000 per vehicle. All funds raised go towards helping sick, disadvantaged or special needs children.

In Australia and New Zealand OCS has developed a partnership with The Salvation Army, an organisation which has supported vulnerable people since its inception in London in 1865. The range of services and programs which The Salvation Army provides fit well with the OCS objective – ‘to support and deliver programs which develop the capacity and skills of socially and economically disadvantaged members of the communities in which we work.’ 
 
The Salvation Army operates throughout Australia and New Zealand providing opportunities for staff in all parts of our region to be involved. It also allows us to work on both local and national initiatives to assist those in need. The OCS team in Region 2 provide support to The Salvation Army by volunteering, fundraising, payroll giving, advocacy and work opportunities.

South and Southeast Asia

We have a wide range of CSR initiatives across this diverse region. For example, PCS Thailand run classes for children with craniofacial defects, including painting, cooking and craft classes. 

OCS Singapore has also continued to remain engaged and active across the island. Significant events during the year included managing cleaning services for aged care homes, providing entertainment options for elderly residents, and coordinating excursions for the Children Aids Society.

PWB Malaysia organised painting activities at a local orphanage home and other fundraising activities to support natural disaster recovery initiatives in other parts of the world.

In Cambodia OCS has been involved in the ‘Clean the City’ campaign. During the project, we provided general cleaning and garbage collection services throughout downtown Phnom Penh.

In South Asia, PCS Bangladesh continued its support for the Acid Survivors Foundation Hospital. This scheme primarily aims to bridge the gap between acid attack survivors and the general public, as most victims face ostracism and discrimination following such an attack.

PCS Bangladesh contributed to the local community by donating stationery to orphanage schools and sewing machines to vocational training centres, as well as providing assistance for vulnerable girls.

OCS India gave donations to underprivileged schools, financial assistance to aged care facilities and cleaning support to a local orphanage home.


Ireland

OCS Ireland has maintained its support for both national and local charities that make tangible changes to the lives of people across Ireland.

In Ireland we also support local disadvantaged young people, offering on-the-job training and mentoring in the OCS Security Division. Many trainees have also moved into full-time staff positions at the conclusion of this training.

We were also proud to sponsor Paralympics Ireland during both the London 2012 Paralympics and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Support in 2012 included sponsorship of two athletes; Double Paralympic H1 Champion London 2012, Mark Rohan and double Paralympic athlete Enda Smyth. Enda retired from Paralympics Ireland after the London 2012 Games and became the first Irish Paralympic athlete to be employed by their sponsor. Our commitment to supporting passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) is further enhanced by Enda joining our PRM team at Dublin Airport, as our PRM trainer. 

Other support provided by OCS Ireland includes services for passengers with reduced mobility at Cork Airport, first aid training for young people, and local community events. 

The OCS Foundation

In 2017, the Foundation partnered with Bromley by Bow Centre and University of Plymouth to invest in two diverse, relevant areas of social research:

Unleashing Healthy Communities research project - Bromley By Bow Centre
The Bromley By Bow Centre is an innovative community organisation in east London, working in one of the most deprived boroughs in the UK to support families, young people and adults of all ages to learn new skills, improve their health and wellbeing, find employment and develop the confidence to achieve their goals and transform their lives. 

The Unleashing Healthy Communities research project will develop a deeper understanding of the diversity of the local community and the positive difference the Bromley by Bow Centre, and the local GP practice, can make to their health and wellbeing. The information gathered will be used to continually improve how they work with the community to reduce health inequalities, influence public policy and share their learnings with others. 

You can find out more about the Bromley By Bow Centre and the Unleashing Healthy Communities research project at www.bbbc.org.uk/unleashing-healthy-communities.

Supporting people living with Dementia to achieve their full potential - University of Plymouth
It is estimated that by 2024 one in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia. Among the over-55s, dementia is feared more than any other illness and at an estimated 23 billion pounds a year, the cost to the UK economy is higher than the cost for Cancer. 

The University of Plymouth is a leading partner in social research focused on the impact of interventions, such as changes in policy and practice, on the wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers.

Building on recent developments in the aviation sector to improve air travel experience for people with ‘hidden disabilities’, such as the specialist training received by customer care agents at OCS, the research conducted by the University of Plymouth will explore the opportunities to develop similar effective awareness and training programme models for staff employed across other service sectors, such as Healthcare and Venues. 

You can find out more about the University of Plymouth’s focus on dementia research on their website at www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/pr-opinion/dementia-a-growing-problem-with-growing-solutions. 

The Foundation’s work complements, but is not a substitute for, CSR activities in the Company. 

The Foundation works in collaborations with other foundations and relevant organisations. It is working initially in the UK, and will engage internationally in the future.

As a UK registered charity, the Foundation is a separate entity and is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is currently building a strategy for the Foundation to complement the broader CSR footprint of the Group. Please note that we are not in a position to respond to unsolicited requests for support. 

PCS Foundation
As well as the OCS Foundation, we also operate the PCS Foundation in Thailand. The late PCS Chairman, Liam Ayudhkij, established this foundation in 2007 as a means to support the local communities in which OCS Group works within Thailand.

Some of the organisations that have been supported include TBCA, Chulalongkorn Hospital (Princess Srindhorn Craniofacial Center), Camillian Social Center and Satriwittaya School. Through activities such as sport, concerts and charity events, the PCS Foundation continues to raise significant funds to support local communities in need.