Sponsors of the Dorset Business Awards, in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, are calling on the best examples of responsible businesses in the county to enter this year’s Business Engagement with the Community Award, sponsored by JP Morgan.

With judges looking to identify finalists that can show they are leading on corporate social responsibility within the Dorset community, firms building positive links with the community should consider putting themselves forward for this category.

The winner of this category will be able to provide details of community initi-atives, particularly those that involve employee engagement, and illustrate the impact these have had on the local community, empl-oyees, customers and suppliers.

In 2012, the Norfolk Royale Hotel, now the Norfolk Hotel, in Bournemouth was acknowledged for its support to the not-for-profit specialist housing and social care provider BCHA.

The hotel implemented a project to allow staff and guests to suggest ways they could help the charity with its aim to help homeless and vulnerable people access housing, health, learning and work opportunities.

Initiatives introduced included the donation of crockery, toiletries and food, work placement opportunities for BCHA clients followed by full-time employment at the hotel as well as a donation of £1 from guests for each hotel reservation.

Commenting on winning, newly appointed general manager Rachel Painter Scott, said: “We were delighted to win this award category and be acknowledged for the work the hotel team undertakes. The previous general manager, Simon Scarborough, instigated our work with the local community and selected the charity BCHA to support. Since winning we continue support BCHA and have recently started to back its football team.”

Business Engagement with the Community Award checklist Entrants should include details of the following:

  • Evidence of initiatives or projects undertaken that impact on the local community.
  • Background details to these initiatives or projects, how they were developed, implemented and the length of time that they have been operating.
  • A summary on the impact that these initiatives or projects have had on the organisation.

Entrants can submit an entry via or submit a paper-based entry. The closing date is September 10. Entrants do not need to be a member of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

For further information please contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812.