Active Plus, has been selected as one of four finalists in the “Ethical – CSR – Green Business” category of the prestigious Federation of Small Business Worldpay UK Business Awards 2016.
Active Plus uses the skills, experience and expertise of injured military veterans to deliver unique courses and activities that build confidence, motivation and self-belief in others. A strong ethos of people helping themselves through helping others has helped the business to expand from its base in Truro, Cornwall to deliver across Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. All profits are reinvested into developing the business to reach more military veterans who in turn inspire more people to make positive changes in their lives.
Founder and Managing Director Tim Cocks explains:
“We are truly delighted! Being shortlisted for this prestigious award is fantastic recognition for the whole organisation. Eighty percent of our workforce are ex-service personnel who have physical injuries or experience PTSD. Some have been unemployed for long periods, others just making the transition from forces to civilian life. All are fantastic role models who share their skills, expertise and personal journeys with the people who attend the courses that they deliver. This in turn helps unemployed people to return to work, older people to become more valued and connected in their communities and people with poor mental health to improve their wellbeing.
Most of the military veterans use Active Plus as a stepping stone to other jobs, some have started businesses of their own. For us, staff turnover is a positive thing because it shows we have helped the veterans to truly embed the transition to civilian life that has previously proved difficult for them.”
The Active Plus way of working not only makes good social sense, it also makes good business sense. The company has grown from a turnover of less than £20,000 in 2011 to over £500,000 in 2015.
The awards dinner at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London on 2 February is hosted by Tim Campbell MBE, first winner of the Apprentice and founder of the Bright Ideas Trust. There are 8 categories in all, including the overall winner of “Best Business of the Year”