Business in the Community (BITC) is calling on Swindon firms to showcase how they are taking practical action to address pressing issues as the deadline for entries to the 2016 Responsible Business Awards looms.
The awards, now in their 19th year, celebrate inspiring examples of businesses that make a difference by creating stronger communities, building more inclusive workplaces and tackling societal and environmental challenges. 
They are open to companies of all sizes – from SMEs to multi-nationals – and across all sectors and represent the breadth of the growing responsible business movement.
Categories appeal to a wide range of positive business activities, from investing in the wellbeing of employees, helping young people develop skills for the future to supporting rural communities.
Last year, three South West businesses gained national recognition through the Responsible Business Awards including Swindon-based Nationwide Building Society.
There will also be a number of South West specific awards including The SW Small Business of the Year, Collaborative Action (recognising businesses that are pooling resources and working together to make a positive impact on a key social or environmental issue through their collaborative action) and the South West Community Champion.
Successful entrants to these awards will be showcased at the Business in the Community Responsible Business gala dinner at St George's, Bristol, on June 14. More than 200 guests from businesses, the public sector and NGOs will gather to hear the inspiring stories behind the entrants.
BITC area director West Raksha Pattni said: “The Responsible Business Awards provide tangible, practical examples of how businesses are making a difference every day to the pressing local and global challenges affecting us all. The awards celebrate those actions taken by business to make positive changes in our communities, and deliver real benefit to business in the process.
“Business has a key role to play in tackling the challenges we face in our schools, communities, workplaces, supply chains and in our environment. Through our awards we want to showcase examples of excellence and the work businesses in the South West are doing to build a fairer society and more sustainable future.”
The closing date for entries is February 12. For further information, including the full list of categories, the assessment criteria and application forms visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards
Business in the Community is the Prince of Wale’s Responsible Business Network. Members work together to tackle a wide range of issues that are essential to building a fairer society and a more sustainable future.
