Sunderland Echo

Top marks for community work

FIVE STAR AWARD FOR CITY HOUSING COMPANY

- By Sue Kirby sue.kirby@jpress.co.uk @suekirbyjp

A Sunderland housing company has clinched top marks for its work with the community.

Gentoo achieved 100% in the Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibi­lity Index.

This earned the Wearside company five stars and is the third consecutiv­e year that Gentoo has achieved this high rating.

The index measures how businesses are integratin­g responsibl­e business practice into all aspects of how they operate.

Over the past year, Gentoo says they have dedicated themselves to improving local communitie­s and inspiring the people within them.

They have contribute­d almost 2,500 hours of volunteeri­ng time to make a difference in local communitie­s, donated to a number of causes aiming to help the less fortunate and awarded 72 aspire grants to individuGe­ntoo als and community groups.

Creating new opportunit­ies for people to learn and develop has always been a priority for Gentoo and in 2016, 20 apprentice­s were recruited with a further 10 vacancies in 2017.

is also holding the eighth year of the Genfactor competitio­n, which inspires young people to take part in performing arts and gives them a chance to build their confidence.

John Craggs, chief executive officer at Gentoo, said: “

“Our staff are at the heart of everything we do and we are so proud of the difference they have made.

“Gentoo will continue to work alongside other businesses in the future as well as its supply chain to ensure best practice is shared so as to continue being a proud ambassador of the responsibl­e business agenda.”

 ??  ?? A community day hosted by Gentoo at Easington Lane.
A community day hosted by Gentoo at Easington Lane.

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