We talked to Tonnes of Care partner, Chapman Ventilation, on why the business decided to join forces with Isabel Hospice’s initiative and what sustainability means to them.
- Can you give a brief description of your company?
Chapman Ventilation are a Welwyn Garden City based business with over fifty years’ experience designing, manufacturing, installing, and maintaining bespoke HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) solutions in the hospitality industry.
2. How did you hear about ToC?
We heard about Tonnes of Care via the Isabel Hospice website when looking online for further ways we can support our local charity.
3. How long have you been a ToC partner?
We have been a ToC partner since May 2022, which I believe is quite close to when the initiative was launched and makes us one of the first businesses to sign up.
4. Why did you partner with Isabel Hospice and their ToC sustainability initiative?
We have been long term fundraisers for Isabel Hospice and thought their Tonnes of Care sustainability initiative is another way that we can support the charity whilst also making a positive impact on the planet.
5. How much have you saved from landfill to date?
225 bags since 2022, equating to 152 nursing hours
6. How is ToC received amongst staff (and your customers)?
Our employees are very engaged with Tonnes of Care. We have a dedicated donation point in our office and regularly update the team with the amount we have saved from landfill and how many hours of nursing care our donations have paid for. Our support for Isabel Hospice was also a contributing factor to our company being awarded Business of the Year – South Hertfordshire by the Chamber of Commerce in June!
7. How have the Isabel Hospice team helped implement ToC within Chapman Ventilation?
The Tonnes of Care team have been very supportive with our plans to run monthly donation campaigns and provide branded marketing materials and decorations to highlight the activity. They are always willing and able to collect the donations from our office when requested, which is really useful particularly after bank holiday weekends when people have had a big clear out!
8. What have you been most impressed with since partnering with Isabel Hospice?
We have been impressed with the whole premise of Tonnes of Care and that Isabel Hospice have found a way to raise vital income to fund nursing hours from unwanted items that would have otherwise gone to landfill. Isabel Hospice are both supporting our local community and the environment which is commendable.
9. What is the most unique item you’ve collected?
A huge dolls house, complete with lots of little pieces of furniture!
10. What has been you experience working alongside Isabel Hospice on this sustainability initiative?
We have formed a fantastic relationship with Isabel Hospice, having supported the charity for a number of years now. Their communication regarding our support for Tonnes of Care is brilliant and we always look forward to receiving our quarterly certificate.
11. What other sustainable actions/activities do Chapman Ventilation perform/carry out?
Chapman Ventilation are at the forefront of driving energy reduction across the hospitality sector and have several patented products that support our clients and their drive to be more sustainable. In addition, we are the only HVAC supplier to be recognised by the Sustainable Restaurant Association for our work in energy reduction and sustainability.
We are 18 months in to a 4-year programme to continually improve the sustainability of our business. We are achieving this by:
- Installing solar panels across the roof areas of the factory
- Undertaking a programme of refurbishment to our head office to reduce energy consumption
- Removing large gas boilers and replacing them with energy and carbon efficient heat pumps and de-stratification fans
- Moving our fleet of vehicles to electric
- Replacing our gas-powered fork-lift with an electric alternative
- Purchasing 100% renewable energy from wind, solar and hydroelectricity sources
Finally, we are reporting our carbon footprint to Planet Mark and have been Planet Mark certified for 2022. We are currently submitting our data for our 2023 certificate.
Thank you to Chapman Ventilation for their continuing support.
Want to get involved?
If you are a local business and would like to get involved, Isabel Hospice would love to partner with you.
You could ask your employees, suppliers, and customers to donate pre-loved items or end-of-line stock. We will then sell your goods and you will know that your help will not only help the hospice, but also send a positive message to your clients that you are a conscientious supporter of sustainability through your businesses.
So how easy is it?
You can nominate your venue as one of our monthly donation points and invite your staff and the public to drop off their unwanted goods.
Alternatively, you could request Isabel Hospice Donation boxes for your office or facilities, and when its full, our Tonnes of Care collection service will come and pick it up.
For further information, email toc@isabelhospice.org.uk
