Corporate Social Responsibility

thecitysecret is aware of the impact of its business on the world around it. Because of this thecitysecret considers its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) an important aspect of the business.

thecitysecret pays particular emphasis on the following areas:-

Environment:
thecitysecret ltd is committed to reducing the impact of the company's activity on the environment. Even simple measures - such as ecologically-friendly cleaning products - can make a difference.
green parking
By being located where people want to live, we reduce the dependence on commuting by car. Being based in a town centre means that some of our staff can walk to work and importantly our staff have access to shops at lunchtime by foot. The cycle-to-work scheme has enabled several employees to use a bike to travel to work.
thecitysecret buys electricity from a supplier that sources its electricity from 100% renewable resources. This cuts our CO2 emissions by approximately 1200kg per annum.
We recycle paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastics and we compost our kitchen waste where practical.
Where possible we use video conferencing facilities to reduce travelling to visit clients down to the essential, thus reducing emissions.
We are Carbon Neutral we calculate our carbon consumption based on our business travel.
The carbon used has been offset by planting in a local farmer's new hedgerow. Each year we will undertake a "Carbon review" and offset our use by buying trees for local farmers.

Fairtrade:
thecitysecret is a successful business and we would like to support people who want to create successful businesses in their own areas. By buying fair trade products (such as the tea, coffee and sugar for all staff) we are trying to ensure that the growers and direct producers of these products are given a chance to lead a dignified life.

Richmond is moving towards gaining Fair Trade Town status and thecitysecret's promotion of fair trade products is recognised as a small step in helping the town achieve that status.

In addition to the fair trade products, we recognise that British producers sometimes get a raw deal from the supermarkets. So we buy all our milk directly from a local organic dairy (which also cuts down on the food miles involved). When we have a get-together in the office, the beer we drink comes from a local brewery too (some local businesses are easy to support...)

Community:
• Shopping locally
Where possible, thecitysecret uses local businesses when purchasing equipment or supplies. All our books are bought from the local independent bookshop and our environmentally-friendly cleaning products are bought from a specialist shop in the town.
Also, we endeavour to use a local business over a national chain. Obviously, there are times when we need to use mail-order and larger suppliers but using the local businesses first enables us to build up mutually beneficial relationships.

• Team days
Beginning in 2006, the staff at thecitysecret have worked with Richmond District Council and the Richmond Swale Valley Initiative to help organisations with projects that may not have been completed without the help of additional volunteers.
We use these events as team-building exercises - ones that help the local community, rather than activities in an artificial setting. Everyone in the company is involved in some way.
In 2006 we transformed a mud footpath down a hill into a set of steps, and cleared an overgrown footpath that had become unusable. The council were so encouraged by the transformation of the area that other walkways have been created nearby.
In 2007, a woodland walk next to the river Swale was regenerated. Viewing areas were renewed, a pond cleared - and more steps built to connect the existing path with a nearby bridle way.
In 2008 the team spent some time mastering dry stone wall building. A local community group had a huge ongoing task to rebuild miles of dry stone walls. A team of around 30 employees were all given a lesson and then set to work dismantling and rebuilding sections of crumbled wall.
Unfortunately the community event was cancelled in 2009 but we hope to be able to work with some of the many local community groups and their volunteers again in the future.

• Promoting Richmond & the Local Area
thecitysecret is very proud of the town they chose to set up in. Richmond itself is a beautiful market town and the surrounding area offers something for everyone.
thecitysecret uses images of the local area within the company website as well as on other marketing materials. thecitysecret is also proud to promote and support many of the local events. These include sponsorship for the ever expanding Richmond Walking & Boot Festival and the Swaledale Festival.

Employee Welfare:
• Work-life Balance
thecitysecret actively promotes the importance of the work-life balance. The health and well-being of all employees is a priority for thecitysecret. Ensuring all staff are able to achieve the right balance between their work life and their life outside of work helps to maintain a healthy workforce.
Out of work activities are organised regularly. It may just be a group going for a long walk or a swim over their lunchtime break or sometimes something a bit more organised such as paintball at a weekend or a trip to the cinema.