local community
All businesses must appreciate the role of the local community as a stakeholder. In order to operate effectively and be well accepted in the area, the organisation should be valued by the local community and help local people to understand why the company is beneficial to them.
Cadbury has always recognised that it does not operate in isolation but has responsibilities to its employees and the society in which it operates.
History
Cadbury is well known for its pioneering work in the 19th century, providing housing, education, welfare, and recreation facilities for the local community. You can find out more about this history on the Cadbury website.
Today
Cadbury is now a global company. Here are some examples of Cadbury working with and supporting its “local” communities across the world:
- Ghana is the main source of cocoa used in UK production. Cadbury has been helping communities in Ghana since 1908. It currently runs a programme called Ghana: For the Source, which aims to help cocoa farmers, their families and local villagers by providing funding to build wells.
- Cadbury’s Community programme provides support through employee volunteering, gifts in kind and cash. All employees are encouraged to volunteer in projects in the local area. One of the projects the programme supports is Young Enterprise.
- The Bournville Village Trust continues to promote social housing of good quality which enhances the environment.
- Some Bournville residents complained that cars were being parked outside their houses all day. Some of these cars belonged to workers or visitors to the factory. Cadbury worked with the community and the local council to arrange a residents’ permit parking scheme.
- Cadbury has a policy of “recommended routes” for its lorry drivers. All lorry drivers going to and from the Bournville factory are issued with instructions and maps to discourage them from using residential roads or driving in the area during anti-social hours.
- In 2007, Cadbury built a new dining block for employees at the Bournville factory and made sure that the design of the building reflected the characteristics of the local area, with local residents consulted over the design.
