The Surrey Business Awards

The Surrey Business Awards were held at Denbies Vineyard last week and Rob Fidgett and Martin Cusselle from SOLD were lucky enough to attend to represent SOLD.

We were shortlisted in the 'Business Pivot' award category. This award was aimed at companies that were forced to pivot their business in another direction to survive the events of 2020, so it was extra special for SOLD to be recognised.

Some of things that we did to be considered for this award -

• We provided support for teachers that were in partially opened schools for keyworker children to help them to use their outdoor space as effectively as possible.
• We provided lots of free resources on our website - newsletters, social media posts, forums, links to videos of practical sessions that they could deliver, CPD training days for teachers and more.
• During the first lockdown we supported a number of social services teams with their displaced and vulnerable young people. We created bespoke outdoor learning programmes for them.
• NHS Seacole Centre at Headley Court – We transported their keyworker staff to and from Epsom Hospital.
• Outreach work. This is where our team go into schools to deliver outdoor learning programs and we made this COVID safe so it could continue for key worker children.
• We reopened for school day visits as soon as it was allowed. Lots of Year 6 children had a very disrupted year and their teachers wanted them to come together and do something positive. We provided them with covid-safe outdoor activities that they could really enjoy together.
• We ran 'Fit and Fed' camps during the Summer holidays in 2020 and 2021. These provided children on Free School Meals with a hot meal and a week-long activity camp where they could learn new skills, try new healthy foods and make new friends.
• We also ran HAF camps (The Marcus Rashford initiative - Holiday activities with Food) in 2021. They were a great success and allowed children who wouldn't normally have a summer camp or holiday something to look forward too.

This was a comment from one of the parents -

"We can't afford to go away on holidays and with no transport a lot of clubs and activities are hard to get to as well as unaffordable for us. SOLD provided transport as well as a fun day and a healthy meal it was brilliant for him and a true blessing for me to know he was safe and having an opportunity that I would love to be able to provide but just cannot."

Sadly we didn't win the award on the night, but Martin and Rob had a great night and loved meeting so many other wonderful Surrey businesses.

We'd also like to say a huge congratulations to all of the other finalists, and especially the lucky winners!