Albany cares

London Marathon 2009

As part of Albany's continued support to Havens Hospices, one of our Partners, Barry Dick, participated in the London Marathon 2009 to help raise money for this deserving charity.

The London Marathon attracts thousands of participants every year, encouraging the brave to run a staggering 26.2 miles. It is the largest race of its kind in the world and many runners join to not only face the challenge of completing this run, but to also enjoy some of London's finest landmarks.

After months of rigorous training Barry completed the race in 5 hours and 47 minutes, raising an astounding £2,300 for Havens Hospices.

Commenting on his experience Barry says, 'running the London Marathon was a fantastic event and through raising so much money it made all the pain worthwhile. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for your support'.

Moonlight Colourthon Half Marathon

Albany's Partners have always been keen to support our chosen charity, which has been further highlighted through Dilber Vapiwala recently participating in the Moonlight Colourthon Half Marathon. Dilber participated in the half marathon to help raise money for Little Havens, a division of the main Havens Hospices charity that provides support and care for children living with serious conditions and who are not expected to reach adulthood.

The Moonlight Colourthon is a sponsored walk with a difference. Not only do participants walk a tiring 13.1 miles at night, they are also encouraged to dress as brightly as their imagination will allow them to.

On Saturday 3rd July 20009, Dilber set off from Chalkwell Park at 8pm, taking in the scenery along Southend Seafront and Westcliff. The route then took the thousands of participants through the exclusive Chalkwell Hall Estate and past Old Leigh, before the final leg of the journey through Leigh itself, finishing back at Chalkwell Park.

'It took just under 3.5 hours and amazingly not a blister in sight, just very achy feet' Dilber remarked. 'Thank you so much for all your support. I raised a grand total of £375 for Little Havens which I hope will make a difference to the charity'

Albany's approach to Swine Flu

Albany Washroom Services appreciate that in the current climate our customers may be concerned about the effect which H1N1 influenza (more commonly known as Swine Flu) may have on the services which Albany provides. We would therefore like to reassure our customers that in light of this confirmed flu epidemic; we will continue to ensure that you receive a reliable service with as little disruption as possible.

Numerous discussions have been held between employee Partners to guarantee that precautionary measures are implemented and followed by everybody. With many of our Partners being based on the road, and therefore with there being a greater risk of cross contamination, it is our responsibility to maintain a duty of care to both our Partners and our customers.

All preventative measures have been enforced to not only minimise the spread of the disease, but also to ensure that business is carried out as usual. As part of our commitment in maintaining a hygienic workplace, a healthy workforce and a normal service, a variety of steps have been taken.

As a means of controlling contamination, all Partners have been provided with a variety of products to help maintain a hygienic environment. These include anti-bacterial wipes for hard surfaces, particularly for use on desks and computers. In addition hand sanitisers have been placed at numerous points around the building, as well as personal hand sanitisers being provided to all our Customer Service Representatives (drivers). All of our service vehicles have been supplied and fitted with hand sanitisers so at to protect, not only our service Partners, but also the customers that they are servicing. The operations trainer has also been tasked with ensuring that our stringent controls are in place at all times, and that the best hand hygiene practice is employed by all Partners.

Extra care is being taken so that people do not work in close proximity to large groups of people, for long periods of time. Furthermore, where possible, guidance is also being given to individuals who have any concerns about the potential threat which Swine Flu poses.

Because we believe that it is vital to take the necessary steps to reduce any risk, strict procedures have been administered for visitors to the Albany office and depot. In brief we are desisting from greeting people with a hand shake, and we are encouraging use of the hand sanitisers upon entering and leaving the building.

As an aid for our customers, Albany has increased supplies of hand hygiene products and other solutions to help combat this growing epidemic. There has been a huge rise in demand for such preventative products and we are committed to helping our customers fight potential outbreaks within their own organisations.

Because the virus is currently very unpredictable, Albany will continually monitor the situation and react where necessary to any developments which may occur. In the meantime, emphasis will be placed on good washroom, office and on the road practices and even more specifically, good hand hygiene.

We believe that it is within everyone's interest to try to mitigate any potential threat and therefore we hope that you agree with the approach which Albany is taking and that you will also play your part in reducing the risk.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or concerns.

Trekking in the Andes

Albany Washroom Services has always believed that, in addition to providing an excellent service to its customers, it also has a social responsibility to contribute to the local community. Accordingly, the Partners in the company are actively encouraged to find a fresh approach to give help and support to an appropriate charity in the Essex area.

Havens Hospices has been chosen as the nominated charity for 2007/8. It is an adult hospice caring for the long term and terminally ill and providing support, respite care and much needed advice and counselling to their families.

To help with this monumental task, two of our Partners, Deborah Cahill and Emma Wallis, are embarking on a voyage of personal discovery by undertaking an arduous trek up in the Andes in South America. The trek will take 10 days through steep trails in diverse mountainous countryside which will be extremely hard, both physically and mentally, but both are committed to succeeding to support this very worthwhile cause.

Commenting on her association with Havens Hospices, Deborah says “having witnessed at first hand the love and care that they provide to patients and their relatives, Havens Hospices is able to light up, what for many are, very dark days”.

Emma has also been touched by the work they do and says “Havens Hospices not only provides essential services, but it also allows patients to spend their final days in kind, dignified surroundings. It is also the bereavement support which Fair Havens offers that gives relatives the strength and comfort to rebuild their lives”.

Many of Albany’s Partners, customers and suppliers have been extremely supportive of the challenge that Deborah and Emma are undertaking. However, further support is still needed.

If you wish to show your support through a donation to this worthy cause, please send your cheque, made payable to Havens Hospices, to Deborah Cahill and your support will be acknowledged here on the website.

All donations, no matter how small, are gratefully received.

Thank you for your support.

Albany Max Programme - Social Responsibility

Social Responsibility Throughout our 100 year trading history, Albany has established strong values and ethics. We have traditionally built strong and long lasting relationships with our customers, trading partners and have always supported the local community.

For some time now, I have been keen to align our social responsibility to the commercial objectives of our business, so in 2007, we embarked on a journey of learning and were introduced to the University of East London.

This relationship has given us access to academic excellence and support and allowed students to apply academic theory to commercial studies and projects.

We have now extended our education links by partnering with Queen Mary, University of London.

These ongoing links with academia have built Albany’s knowledge in washroom design, hand hygiene and cleaning and, more importantly, shown how these areas can have a positive impact upon infection control and environmental sustainability.

Whilst we have been gathering in-depth knowledge about hand hygiene and product design, we have been working closely with some of our 200 customers in the education sector and, together, have identified a consistent and unaddressed concern around hygiene in schools.

Let me explain:

Most schools are committed to the government’s Healthy Schools and Eco Schools programmes with the objective of creating safe and healthy places to learn and work. They acknowledge that a child’s health has a direct impact upon the grades that he or she attains.

Nobody is in any doubt that good health and academic achievements go hand-in-hand.

However, with the help of schools, we have identified that the following problems are faced at many schools:

1. Inadequate provision of clean toilets fitted with the right facilities available to pupils throughout the day

2. Inadequate hygiene awareness amongst their pupils

3. A lack of imaginative ways of delivering hygiene education that will resonate with children

4. Schools often want to manage their cleaning in-house for a variety of reasons, which include safeguarding site security, flexibility and maintaining strong ties with the local community through employment

5. School facilities or site managers are left to manage the daunting challenge of keeping the premises clean

These problems became the catalyst for further research by Albany to find potential solutions.

The Albany Healthy Schools programme is the result. University research and partnerships with several professional bodies have been invaluable in its creation.

We now sponsor three excellent organisations with a strong social conscience; namely: Bog Standard and the British Toilet Association

Albany’s research and my investment, already exceeding £250,000, is due to a personal mission to raise hygiene awareness and standards to help schools to get the best hygiene and environmental solution from their tight budgets.

We now offer a free A+ hygiene audit to schools and educational establishments to identify and report on their results, requirements and recommendations.

Our solutions focus upon:

Albany Max
Hand hygiene education programme

Healthy Hands
Raising hand hygiene standards

Healthy Cleaning
Empowering school cleaning teams

Healthy Washrooms
Providing hygienic eco-friendly school washrooms

Infection Control
Specialised services that maintain a healthy learning environment

Albany Healthy Schools has now enabled us to fully align our charity and social responsibility programme to our commercial objectives.

My passion for helping schools improve their hygiene standards is supported by my commercial ability to make this a reality.

We will achieve our aim by sustaining long term relationships with schools and by providing them with innovative products, services and solutions that are complemented by successful education hygiene programmes.

Albany Washroom Services, Storm Design and Fair Havens in DIY Heaven

Albany Washroom Services has joined forces with Storm Design and Fair Havens, the adult hospice based in Westcliff on Sea, Essex, to raise funds for a make-over of the children’s visitor room.

The hospice provides in-patient, day and community care for people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses from Southend, Rochford and Castle Point, and relies heavily on local businesses and the community for support.

Albany pays particular attention to its relations with the local community, charities and how its business impacts on the environment. It has defined a programme, Albany cares, which provides support to initiatives in all of these areas, and Fair Havens was identified as the perfect partner.

Storm Design, a Westcliff-based creative communications agency, has also offered its design and project management skills.

A ‘Walkathon’ will take place on Sunday 19 March 2006 and Albany’s Partners (staff), family and friends will set out on a four mile walk from the hospice to the Kursaal and back, along Southend seafront.

Money raised from sponsorship and collections along the route, will be used by an Albany ‘make-over’ team to modernise and brighten up the children’s visitor room in April 2006.

Mike Burton, managing director of Albany, commented “I was moved by the passion and commitment shown by everyone at Fair Havens and realised these were values shared by Albany and our Partners. It was therefore an easy decision for Albany to take to support Fair Havens in such a direct way”.

Bernie Maloney, corporate fundraiser at Fair Havens said “Albany is the perfect example of a company caring for the local community. It understands that support comes in many forms, not just financial. By providing the funds as well as a team of volunteers to complete the make-over, Albany will help transform the children’s visitor room into a wonderful place for everyone who visits their loved ones at Fair Havens”.

Steve Tolton from Storm Design added “we are pleased to help with this project as it provides us with the opportunity to use our talents to create an environment that will really improve the stay of visitors and in-patients alike”.