The BBfG Update
Welcome to your October update from across the BBfG community.
From charity shop windows to local business recognition, it's been a busy few weeks for BBfG members. We've been working alongside St Michael's Hospice, welcoming new faces and celebrating organisations continuing their BBfG verification.
There's also news from our Community Action Programmes, a member sustainability story in the local press, and plenty of opportunities to get together before the end of the year.
Doing Business Better. Together.Three charity shops. Three teams. One very different working day.
For Sustainable Fashion Week, BBfG members and local businesses joined forces with St Michael's Hospice for the Great Big Basingstoke Charity Style-Off.
The day began at the hospice's Donation Centre on Wade Road, where volunteers helped sort clothes ready for the monthly Kilo Sale. Then it was off to Chineham, Brighton Hill and Overton to price stock and create three very different charity shop window displays.
Each team was given the same challenge: create a shop window that would encourage more people to explore pre-loved fashion. The result was three displays with three very different personalities.
Every window had its own story
Chineham
Down to Earth
Emma Sly from GreenHouse Graphics, Chloë Pearce from Richard Pearce Wealth Management and BBfG founder Kaia Vincent created an autumn display with rich colours and scattered leaves.
Brighton Hill
Autumn style
The Cornerstone Nurseries team put their experience of creating displays in the nursery setting to good use, producing a warm, russet-toned window.
Overton
Every Item Tells a Story
Natalie Sweet from Scout & Jem, Mark Jones from Mr Blue Sky Consultancy and Julita Roberts from Metro Bank, representing the Stronger Together Forum, added luggage labels with ideas for giving donated items another life.
The volunteering day gave everyone a closer look at the work behind the hospice's charity shops. We also learned why the quality of donations matters. In one year, the hospice spent £28,000 disposing of broken toys and bric-a-brac that couldn't be sold.
For Kaia, the day changed her view of charity shop shopping. Seeing the care that goes into selecting and presenting donated stock — and the outfits that can be put together at a low cost — gave her a fresh appreciation of pre-loved fashion.
And the competition isn't over yet. St Michael's Hospice will judge the three windows, with the winning team announced at the BBfG Awards on 10 November.
If your organisation would like to volunteer with St Michael's Hospice, there are opportunities to help with events, the Donation Centre and other practical activities.
Ask about volunteeringCelebrating our BBfG Verified members
A warm welcome to Umlaut Consulting, which has achieved BBfG verification! We're delighted to have another local business demonstrating its commitment to doing business better.
We're also celebrating three existing members who have successfully completed their BBfG reverification, demonstrating their continued commitment to people, place and planet.
BBfG verification isn't intended to be a one-off achievement. It's a chance to recognise the good already happening within a business, reflect on progress and identify where it can go further.
Congratulations to all four organisations, and thank you for being part of the BBfG community.
Find out about BBfG verificationCornerstone Nurseries in the spotlight
It's good to see BBfG Verified member Cornerstone Nurseries receiving local recognition for its sustainability work.
The Basingstoke Gazette has featured the nursery's Green Business Review, highlighting its efforts to strengthen sustainability across the organisation.
It's a useful reminder that taking a closer look at how a business operates can reveal opportunities to improve — and that those practical steps deserve recognition.
Read the Basingstoke Gazette articlePractical ways to get involved locally
Our Community Action Programmes give members opportunities to contribute their time, knowledge and experience to projects that support the local community.
Power Your Pounds
Power Your Pounds helps young people build confidence with everyday money and maths skills.
Two packs from Brighton Hill Scouting are booked to take part in workshops this December.
We'd love to hear from members interested in supporting future sessions and helping the programme reach more young people.
Hop into Reading
Hop into Reading is another of our Community Action Programmes, offering opportunities for people to support reading in the local community.
If you're interested in finding out more about the programme or how you could contribute, please get in touch.
Update from the BBfG quarterly meeting
Our October meeting brought BBfG Verified members together to plan our 2027 sustainability challenges, explore ways to make People Planet Pint bigger and better, and increase business participation in our community projects. Plenty of ideas and practical actions to help us make a greater local impact.
Basingstoke Business Week
November brings a full week of opportunities for local businesses to connect, learn and celebrate what's happening across Basingstoke.
BBfG will be part of the week, with Kaia speaking at Unlocking Hampshire's Green Potential and our own BBfG Awards taking place alongside People Planet Pint.
Unlocking Hampshire's Green Potential
On Tuesday 10 November, BBfG co-founder Kaia Vincent will be speaking at the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke.
Kaia will explore how businesses can turn good intentions into everyday action. From reducing waste and reviewing purchasing decisions to involving colleagues and supporting the local community, practical change often starts with the habits we build at work.
Good luck, Chloë and Richard!
A big congratulations to Chloë and Richard from Richard Pearce Wealth Management, who are finalists in the Business & Community category at the Inspire Business Awards, taking place during Basingstoke Business Week.
It's lovely to see their contribution to the local community being recognised. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for them both!
People Planet Pint meets the BBfG Awards
We're looking forward to bringing the BBfG community together for an evening of conversation, connections and celebration.
This special People Planet Pint will include the BBfG Awards, recognising organisations and individuals taking practical action and making a contribution locally.
We'll also find out which team won the Great Big Basingstoke Charity Style-Off, with the winning shop window announced on the night.
Whether you've been involved with BBfG for a while or would simply like to find out more about the community, we'd love to see you.
Register for People Planet Pint + BBfG Awards