Safety professionals hand grants to charities

Professionals promoting safety across the business community in North Staffordshire have stepped in to support vulnerable and poverty hit families hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.

The North Staffordshire Health and Safety Group (NSHSG) has donated £500 each to the Alice Charity, the Gingerbread Centre and a foodbank in Smallthorne run by fundraising champion Jason Powner, of SkinJase Tattoo Studio.

NSHSG trustees had been planning to offer a bursary to support one person through their health and safety accreditations.

Trustee Samantha Durber said: “Our remit is to promote excellence in health and safety and, in normal times, we’d have been looking to help a young person to enter the industry and complete their NEBOSH qualifications. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in many charities struggling to raise funds. Our committee recognised this and we have specifically targeted charities supporting people who may otherwise fall through the cracks of the benefits system. The Gingerbread Centre gives a temporary home to help homeless families get back onto their feet, Alice Charity has a superb track-record of stepping in to support families who are struggling to make a home for themselves and Jason is well-known for his fundraising efforts, including the foodbank run from his tattoo studio. North Staffordshire has some of the poorest council wards in the UK and the current pandemic will hit services to the most vulnerable people in society.”

The NSHSG has around 85 member companies and hosts monthly meetings to allow health and safety professionals to share best practice and hear from leading industry speakers. Meetings are held in the community room at the Sandyford Fire Station.