Corporate Social Responsibility at GM Coachwork
Being a family run business for over 38 years, our sense of purpose has always been to make people’s lives easier and this mission to enhance people’s lives has remained a constant throughout. These core values have shaped our business.
We believe businesses should make a positive contribution to addressing the challenges the world faces, and we endeavour to be part of that change.
At GM Coachwork, we aim to support initiatives, both local and national, that promote inclusion, wellbeing, and long-term social value.
Our CSR policy is based around the following three strands:
Ethics and people
Governance
As a family-run business, GM Coachwork benefits from strong, values-driven governance. This structure enables us to take a long-term view across the business, prioritising sustainable growth and customer satisfaction across the generations.
Health and safety in the workplace
GM Coachwork operates in line with ISO 45001, the internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems. This ensures that we take a proactive approach to identifying, managing, and reducing workplace risks.
We continuously assess and improve our working environments, implementing appropriate controls and procedures to minimise risk. Employees are encouraged to actively participate in maintaining a safe workplace by reporting hazards and contributing to safety improvements. We provide comprehensive training to all employees to ensure they have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to carry out their roles safely.
GM Coachwork recognises that mental and physical health are equally important. We are committed to fostering a positive work-life balance and supporting our employees’ overall wellbeing. Employees can access a range of support and resources through the RISE health and wellbeing service. We aim to create an environment where individuals feel valued, and able to perform at their best.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (equal opportunities)
We are proud to employ a diverse workforce of 300 people, bringing together individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. This diversity strengthens our business and enhances our ability to serve our customers effectively.
The nature of our business, designing and manufacturing wheelchair accessible vehicles and minibuses, places inclusion at the heart of everything we do. We are driven by a shared purpose to make the world more accessible and to give our customers greater independence and freedom.
We are committed to fostering a workplace culture where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered. We promote open communication and mutual respect across all levels of the business.
Community and social impact
As a family business, we strive to emphasise the importance of community both in the workplace and further afield.
We are proud to partner with a diverse range of local and national initiatives. By supporting these organisations, we aim to strengthen community bonds, provide essential services to those in need, and promote a more inclusive society.
Exeter Otters Wheelchair Basketball Club
Mobility and independence are at the heart of what we do. We are proud to be a sponsor of the Exeter Otters Wheelchair Basketball Club. They are one of the oldest clubs in the UK, founded in 1980, and a competitor in Division One of the GBWBA League. Beyond their competitive success, the Exeter Otters run inclusive training sessions open to all abilities, fostering a spirit of teamwork and physical well-being in our local region.
Trussell Trust
GM Coachwork is a proud corporate donor to the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity supporting a network of over 1,600 food bank centres across the UK. Our contributions play a small part in helping to provide emergency food and practical support to individuals and families in crisis.
Family Fund
We recognise the unique challenges faced by families raising children with additional needs. We are annual corporate donor to Family Fund, the UK’s largest charity providing grants and services to low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. Their grants provide items like white goods, computers, sensory toys, and family breaks to over 114,000 families annually, aiming to improve quality of life.
Rotherham Parents Forum
Our commitment to the SEND community is reflected in our support for the Rotherham Parents Forum, whereby we have provided them with equipment. This charity provides a crucial lifeline for families of young people with SEND and neurodivergent adults in the Rotherham area. Through peer support, they ensure that every individual has a voice and a community they can rely on.
ProTouch Football Academy
We are proud to serve as a Team and Kit sponsor for ProTouch Football Academy. Operating as a Community Interest Company (CIC), ProTouch delivers elite football programmes and structured community sports across 10 London boroughs. Their FA-licensed coaching focuses on more than just sport, providing young people aged 4–25 with pathways to education, professional contracts and scholarships, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in life.
We are proud to serve as a Team and Kit sponsor for ProTouch Football Academy. Operating as a Community Interest Company (CIC), ProTouch delivers elite football programmes and structured community sports across 10 London boroughs. Their FA-licensed coaching focuses on more than just sport, providing young people aged 4–25 with pathways to education, professional contracts and scholarships, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in life.
Environmental
Transition to low-emission mobility
We are actively supporting the shift toward electric mobility through the development of electric wheelchair accessible vehicles and minibuses, including the Kia PV5 and Ford eTransit, supporting a reduction in carbon emissions.
Reducing our environmental impact
GM Coachwork is committed to maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. We align our processes and continuous improvement approach with internationally recognised standards, including ISO 14001. This guides our environmental management practices, helping us reduce our environmental impact. We recognise that the health of our environment is paramount. We actively assist global conservation efforts by investing in projects that enhance ecosystems across the globe.
To ensure our environmental impact is continuous, we maintain a pledge to plant five trees per month through Green Earth to help offset our carbon emissions as an automotive manufacturer.
Our carbon reduction plan
GM Coachwork is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, reducing emissions by 20% in the next four years.
As a vehicle manufacturer, we are all too aware that the automotive industry remains one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. By prioritising cleaner production methods, investing in low and zero-emission technologies, and designing vehicles built for the future, we are helping play our part in driving emissions down.
Reducing our carbon footprint isn’t just about meeting targets, it’s about taking ownership of our role in building a sustainable future and helping make a positive change in the industry.
Demonstrating our commitment to quality, safety and industry excellence.
