Rock Solid Knowledge
In July 2021 I joined the team at Rock Solid Knowledge where we are actively working to become a more ethical and sustainable company.
Getting B Corp Certified will provide us with a framework to measure and benchmark our social and environmental impact.
But what does B Corp even mean?
B Lab is a not-for-profit charity that is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. They certify companies—known as B Corps—who are leading the way on this mission. To date, the community includes over 4,000 B Corps in 70 countries and 150 industries.
At first glance the journey to B Corp seemed long and hard – the process generally takes 6-9 months and includes a self-assessment and an audit period of 3-6 months. However, I quickly discovered that it would be full of conversations with people who are truly passionate about what they’re doing.
So far, it has involved:
- Becoming a Founding Signatory for Motherboard - a charity that supports mothers in tech
- Making strides toward becoming a Carbon Neutral Company
- Organizing Mental Health First Aid Training
- Joining the Penny Brohn community to raise money for those living with cancer
I'm so passionate about all of these initiatives, so I'd like to share what I've learned throughout these conversations and hopefully inspire you to find ways to make difference, big or small.
Motherboard
I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Amber Rowbottom the Senior Recruiter at Motherboard. She spoke with such dedication to resolving the issues that women and mothers face within the Technology and Data industries. MotherBoard defines itself as a Charter, Community and Event Series built to drive positive change. By creating environments that support the inclusion of working mothers, it offers a significant solution to the shortage of talent across these sectors. They’re here to educate, challenge and create that shift.
Carbon Neutral Britain
Next, we wanted to tackle our company’s impact on the environment, so I got in contact with James Poynter from Carbon Neutral Britain. It was a joy hearing about the projects that they use to offset companies’ carbon emissions. You can choose an initiative to aid:
- The Carbon Neutral Britain Woodland Fund that supports reforestation, deforestation prevention and woodland management projects, or
- The Carbon Neutral Britain Climate Fund that supports wind, solar and cook stove projects in developing countries
A part of all their portfolios is a promise to put 10% of their budget towards sustainable projects in Britain. So, we got on board, and we are proud to announce that we will be Carbon Neutral for the year 2020/21. You’ll be able to read about how we’re offsetting our emissions in our mission statement.
Mental health first aid training
I think we can all agree that the last year and a half has highlighted the importance of Mental Health. Whether you manage by using mindfulness techniques, regular therapy sessions, gaming, socializing or the opposite – it’s clear that it needs to be a priority for everyone. Rock Solid Knowledge wants to ensure that this is a workplace without the stigma that surrounds the conversation.
We decided to nominate three members of the team to be qualified Mental Health First Aiders. Alongside this, we are organizing awareness training for everyone else. We are working to create an environment that encourages openness and support for anyone struggling with their mental health.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained counselor at the Crisis Text Line
- Or if you need a free, confidential space to talk, you can call the Samaritans on 116-123 to speak with a trained volunteer
Penny Brohn – Stomp 2021
Rock Solid Knowledge is a team of just 25 and in the last few months, two of our team have been diagnosed with cancer. This news has hit us all hard and really driven home how this awful disease can affect anyone.
This is why we feel so compelled to take part in and fundraise for Penny Brohn’s annual sponsored walk which raises money to support people through their journey with cancer.
Penny Brohn has used a holistic approach to helping people live well with cancer for the past 40 years. The Bristol Whole Life Approach gives anyone affected by cancer the practical, emotional, and social support they need to improve their quality of life and to manage the fear and uncertainty that a cancer diagnosis may bring.
Penny Brohn’s courses and treatments are designed with a focus on wellbeing and resilience. The services they offer range from nutrition advice and treatment plans to weekly groups around relaxation, mindfulness, and healing. Due to Covid, they are currently offering everything remotely.
Please consider donating to this wonderful charity using our Just Giving page. We have pledged to match all donations made so that your contribution goes even further.
