Corporate and Social Responsibility

Supporting Our Staff’s Mental Health

With Mental Health problems on the rise, it is more important than ever that as a business we are able to provide support to our staff who need it. In 2022 we developed a company mental health policy and some of the team received specialist training by Mental Health First Aid England to provide mental health first aid to others. Our eight Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) are trained to spot triggers and signs of mental health and have the knowledge to step in, reassure and support those in distress.

Our aim is to reduce mental health issues of all of those in PFE that suffer – not only workplace related stress but personal stress occurring at home. We don’t want anyone to feel alone or unsupported through any issues, big or small, and are always here to listen privately and confidentially. MHFAs can be recognised by their green lanyards, the symbol on their HR system profile and our mental health policy provides their contact details as do posters on notice boards.

PFE’s Essex Way Challenge
for Staff Wellbeing

Physical and mental health are really important, getting out into the fresh air can help with both. This year’s challenge has been designed to encourage people of all fitness levels to take part to benefit their wellbeing.

The Essex Way is 81 miles long, stretching from Epping all the way to Harwich. Linking ancient green lanes and footpaths, it passes through some of the most beautiful parts of Essex. The challenge will be split in 23 separate circular walks that range between 4.5 and 8.5 miles. Team PFE will have a year to complete them all, and in doing so everyone who participates will walk a total of 163 miles!

The idea is that the challenge can fit into anyone’s schedule, team members can complete the walks in their own time and at a pace that suits them. We have 30 people participating but we hope as many of the PFE team as possible will join in over the year.

The PFE Team Collected over
160kg of Essential Products for
our local Foodbank

As well as raising money for local charities it is always nice to give back and support the local community in other ways. We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry, so over the month of September 2022, the PFE team collected over 160kg of essential products that we were very happy to donate to our local foodbank.

Colchester foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. It is the busiest foodbank in Essex and the second busiest foodbank in the East of England, and couldn’t do what it does without the support of the local community. We’re glad to be just a small help for the big work they do within our community.

The PFE Three Peaks Challenge
Raised Over £14k for Local Charities

A team of 23 of our staff completed the formidable challenge of the ascent and descent of each of the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. The total distance walked was 27 miles with an ascent of 9,800 feet.

Team PFE were committed to completing the challenge to raise a serious amount of money for a number of local good causes and that is exactly what they did. They aimed to raise a minimum of £2,500 for each of their four chosen charities, but they smashed their target raising over £3,500 for each.

Helena’s 1K a Day for Dementia UK

Helena Lazell walked 1K per day throughout February to raise money for Dementia UK. She completely smashed her target raising £657 for this great cause.

At PFE we are always looking at new ways to be more sustainable.

We are committed to reducing the amount of waste we generate, and to increase the proportion of waste that is recycled. As such, we have now implemented a new recycling system into our offices and warehouse which enables us to recycle up to 80% more of our waste than before.

In order to reduce the volumes of waste sent to landfill from our offices we encourage our staff to reduce their own waste production and to recycle as much as possible. We do this through the following measures:

> We provide individual recycling bins throughout our premises to ensure ease of recycling.

> There is communication, such as emails and posters to remind staff to recycle.

> Printer/toner cartridges are recycled where possible.

> We encourage staff to drink from reusable water bottles and mugs instead of using disposable items.

We are working with suppliers to be able to improve what we are doing further and produce quarterly update reports on how much waste we are generating and how much is being fully recycled.