Annual donations

Each year, 3Keel donates a proportion of it’s profit at the end of the financial year to charitable organisations.

We reached a decision about which causes to support by asking colleagues and clients. Colleagues nominated the causes that matter most to them and then voted to reach a final list of three. We then asked clients to vote on which they feel most passionate about. Based on their votes, we gave a corresponding proportion of the total to each one.

This year’s charities

Asylum Welcome offers information, advice and practical support to asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants living in Oxfordshire.

The 3Keel colleague who nominated the charity said: “We often focus explicitly on the environmental dimensions of being a globally responsible company. I think it would be amazing to support activity in another dimension – helping some of the most vulnerable people in our local community. Donating to Asylum Welcome means supporting people who have had to leave their homes, culture and country to start a new life. Asylum seekers find themselves in such a hostile environment in the UK and Asylum Welcome helps them integrate into their new home.”

In 2020-2021 the charity supported about 1,500 refugees and asylum seekers. This year, it expects to support more than 4,000. The service consists of regular drop-in surgeries, follow up appointments and tailored briefings. Assistance includes help with asylum claims, needs related to their status and benefits, linking with legal aid solicitors, access to bikes, phones and laptops, learning English, volunteering, navigating the NHS, understanding and preparing to move-on and find their own housing when asylum is granted or refused. Small weekly “hardship” grants are made available for those with immediate specific needs who have no other means of support.

Oxford Food Hub is at the centre of surplus food redistribution in Oxfordshire, providing food to over 200 charities and community groups. It’s mission is to minimise food waste and alleviate food poverty.

The nominating colleague said: “The Food Hub needs support to keep providing this service without charge to suppliers and charities. It is at the centre of surplus food redistribution in Oxfordshire, providing food to over 200 charities and community groups.”

In 2022-23, Oxford Food Hub redistributed 518 tonnes of produce to local charities and community groups. It’s volunteers collect surplus food from wholesalers, supermarkets and other organisations and distribute this food to charities and community organisations. Everyone wins – they reduce food waste going to landfill and provide tasty fresh produce to those in need in Oxfordshire.

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere.

The nominating colleague said: “It is a lifeline for our most disadvantaged global children who are caught up in the worst possible crises humankind endures – war, poverty, displacement.”

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. Its many areas of work include: child protection, reducing child mortality, education, and working in emergencies to provide immediate aid.

Ongoing support to our local community

In addition to these one off donations, we have a long-standing relationship with FarmAbility, an Oxfordshire farm-based programme for adults with learning disabilities. Each year, we make a donation and colleageus volunteer on site to help with repairs and refurbishments.

Our support has continued in 2024 with a donation and volunteering will follow later in the year.

We also sponsor The Story Museum, hailed as “the most unusual museum in Oxford.” Through immersive exhibitions, gallery spaces & events, aimed at children and families, it celebrates story in all forms encouraging creativity, enhancing well-being and fostering improved literacy and communications skills. 3Keel is supporting the museum with sponsorship of a special exhibition, Brilli-ANT! How someone small changed a big story, as part of a five-year commitment of support.

Brilli-ANT is an immersive exhibition that uses the power of storytelling to give children practical ways to tackle climate change in an engaging and thought-provoking way, without making them feel like the weight of the world is on their shoulders. From a dung beetle explaining recycling, to a bumblebee showing the importance of helping others, ‘giant insects’ – voiced by actors and activists including Derek Jacobi, Julian Clary, Noga Levy Rapoport and Isy Suttie – tell stories about how species adapt to climate change.