Corporate Social Responsibility
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Sharing our passion, and giving back to the world
One of the key things that helps to drive our teams forward is our passion to help and serve the communities local to us. We pride ourselves on open communication, breaking down barriers in both community and industry, treating everyone with the same values of quality of service and respect.
We feel it is vital to put back into the communities where we operate, this takes many forms from larger formal organisations such as The Princes Trust, through to low key direct action such as shipping clothing to children in Grenada, a life boat to Tortola, play equipment to Bequia, and much needed aid in the aftermath of disasters.
The Beautranga - Kestrel and ECL collaborate to send aid for Hurricane Beryl
The Beautranga, a combined effort between us and Europe Caribbean Line, has now left Hull bound for St Vincent and the Grenadines carrying vital aid and donations in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Watch here to see the interview with Andy Thorne and the loading of the Beautranga.
In collaboration with the amazing people at Europe Caribbean Line the ship Beautranga (Surinamese for Strong) is now on its way full of donations and Air cargo. This includes boxes and barrels from the Caribbean Diaspora in the UK, vital generators amazingly sponsored and donated by Stuart Group Ltd of Norfolk GB, mobile homes donated by Kestrel and by Lincolnshire Statics, stone crushers, excavators and all types of heavy plant and equipment, tractor and trailer units to get the cargo moving around the region (donated by Kestrel). We are working in collaboration with the United Nations, Nations World Food Programme and NEMO to get the show on the road.
The hurricane has long passed and the dire situation of so many is easily forgotten - please help in any way you can. Government Go Fund Me programmes need as much help as you can, and any business working in the Caribbean as well as all those connected with the Caribbean Diaspora and Caricom know only too well what a long road ahead there is. The islands will rebuild and they are strong and resilient. BBC Look North are helping to spread the word and came out to film an extremely busy day at the APB Ports at Hull in the UK.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust, founded in 1976, is one of the United Kingdom's most successful funding organisations. We at Kestrel never fail to be inspired by their ongoing efforts to uplift the younger generations.
In January 2017, we partnered with the Prince's Trust International, a new International arm launched in 2015, to deliver their 'Get into Logistics' programme. The 'Get into' is an employability scheme in Barbados with the aim of helping disadvantaged young people on the island gain vital sector-specific skills. Our first wave of students on the 'Get into Logistics' programme all graduated with flying colours.
Mark Davidian from Kestrel had the pleasure of giving the participants of 'Get into Logistics' their graduation certificates. He heard first-hand the benefits of the programme to the young people involved.
I was very honoured to attend the Prince's Trust International Event and to meet this first wave of students – an inspiring group of enthusiastic, energetic young people looking to find a start and hopefully building a career in logistics. As the future of their industry they need to be given a chance. The benefits from this programme are already being realised in Barbados and we look forward to seeing the programme expand across the Caribbean region.
Mark Davidian
One of the biggest success stories of the 'Get into Logistics' programme was our trainee Orian. We were so impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm, we offered her a job in our offices in Barbados. We're pleased to report that she accepted, saying:
Six weeks ago I knew nothing about shipping! In five weeks I have learnt so much. I am looking forward to finding out so much more about the shipping and logistics industry. I am particularly looking forward to seeing a product on the shelves in Barbados knowing that I played a part in importing it.
We have also had the pleasure of working with the Prince's Trust International to sponsor their very successful 'Get into Hospitality' programme. This is an intensive 12-week programme which supports 15 young people who are not yet ready to enter employment and works with them to develop not only their confidence but also other key skills they will require through a residential week, community project and work placements. This programme also boasts a high degree of success with helping young people to find opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Here at Kestrel, we owe our success to the many different communities around the globe, so we are proud to support those who support us. We remain aware of the many different issues that these communities face, and are eager to help them however we can as it is part of the Mission Statement that Kestrel is built upon.