MVIS: Supporting Local Sports and Communities – Sponsoring Jacob Spencer and Beyond

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At MVIS, we believe that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just a box to tick

it’s an integral part of our identity. We are committed to giving back to the community that supports us, and this philosophy has led us to sponsor our R&D Technician Jacob Spencer.

Championing Local Talent 

By sponsoring Jacob Spencer, we are proud to support grassroots football and provide opportunities for talented athletes to thrive. At the community level, football plays a huge role in fostering companionship, discipline, and physical well-being. Jacob’s passion and drive on the field reflect the values that we uphold at MVIS: commitment, teamwork, and perseverance. 

Through this sponsorship, we aim to ensure that local sports continue to thrive. Cromford and Wirksworth Town FC have been pillars of the local community, bringing people together, and we’re delighted to be a part of that legacy. 

Corporate Social Responsibility: A Core Value 

Our commitment to CSR extends beyond local sports. MVIS has long supported community initiatives, and our sponsorships are just one way we actively engage with causes that matter. For example, our ongoing relationship with Ashgate Hospice is one that’s especially close to our hearts. For years, we’ve contributed to their incredible work, assisting them with signage for key fundraising events such as the Sparkle Walk and sponsoring stars for their annual campaigns. Our team members, like Rob Hinchley, also participate in fundraising activities, like his planned charity skydive to raise funds for this essential cause. Supporting Ashgate Hospice embodies the spirit of care and community that MVIS seeks to foster in every aspect of our work.

Investing in Employee Well-being 

At MVIS, we also place great emphasis on the mental health and well-being of our employees. We understand that a supportive workplace is crucial to personal and professional success, which is why we prioritise a culture of openness and mental health support. When employees are happy and healthy, they are better equipped to give back to the community and thrive in their roles. This holistic approach to well-being not only benefits our team but also aligns with our CSR goals—helping us make a positive impact both internally and externally. 

A Legacy of Sports Sponsorship 

Sponsoring Jacob Spencer isn’t our first foray into supporting athletes. Over the years, MVIS has proudly sponsored local football teams, Car racing and even kickboxers, helping them compete at higher levels. We see sports as a fantastic way to develop resilience, dedication, and teamwork—qualities we value in our business. These sponsorships aren’t just about brand visibility but about strengthening community ties and giving back to those who inspire and energise us.

Looking Ahead 

We are excited to continue supporting Cromford and Wirksworth Town FC and Jacob Spencer in the upcoming season.  

Whether it’s through our ties with Ashgate Hospice, fostering employee well-being, or empowering athletes to chase their dreams, MVIS remains dedicated to making a difference. Our commitment to CSR will continue to guide us as we seek new ways to uplift our community and support those who inspire us. 

At MVIS, we know that our success is only meaningful when we use it to benefit the world around us, and we are proud to keep building stronger, more connected communities through our actions. 

  

Rob Hinchley’s Charity Skydive for Ashgate Hospice 

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At MVIS, we’ve always been passionate about supporting our local community, and one of the organisations closest to our hearts is Ashgate Hospice. This year, our Workshop Technician, Rob Hinchley, is taking on an incredible challenge to raise a minimum of £550 for this important cause – by completing a charity skydive! 

Why Ashgate Hospice?   

Ashgate Hospice provides exceptional palliative and end-of-life care to those in need, and MVIS has been proud to partner with them over the years. From providing signage for their Sparkle Walk and High Peak Trail events to sponsoring stars placed outside the hospice in December, we’ve seen first hand the vital work they do for individuals and families during difficult times. 

Now, Rob is stepping up to make a difference in a whole new way—by jumping out of a plane! 

Rob’s Charity Skydive for a Cause 

On the 27th of September, Rob will be taking to the skies in a daring skydive, all in the name of charity. His goal is to raise £550, which will go directly toward helping Ashgate Hospice continue their essential work. Every pound raised will contribute to the care and support of patients facing life-limiting illnesses and their families, ensuring they receive the compassionate care they need. 

The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 

At MVIS, we believe that businesses play a key role in giving back to the communities they serve. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about more than just business success; it’s about making a positive impact on society and being a force for good. Through our long-standing partnership with Ashgate Hospice, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that benefit our local area and the people in it. 

By getting involved in charitable events, like Rob’s skydive, and contributing to important causes, we’re showing our dedication to values that go beyond profits. CSR helps strengthen our bonds within the community, improve employee engagement, and foster a culture of compassion and responsibility within the company. It’s a win-win, as we can both support our local hospice and encourage our team to take part in meaningful, life-enriching experiences. 

At MVIS, we know that our actions today can lead to a brighter tomorrow. That’s why we take every opportunity to contribute to causes that truly matter. Rob’s skydive is a perfect example of how we turn our commitment to CSR into action, helping to support the wonderful work of Ashgate Hospice.

How You Can Help 

Rob’s challenge is bold, and we believe he can reach his goal with the help of our amazing community. Whether you can donate a little or a lot, every bit counts. Your generosity will make a real difference to the lives of those Ashgate Hospice supporters. 

Worker in navy polo, stood infront of Skydiver for Charity Skydive

Show Your Support!

Let’s get behind Rob as he takes this leap for Ashgate Hospice! If you’d like to support him, visit his fundraising page and donate. Together, we can help Rob hit his target of £550 and contribute to the incredible work that Ashgate Hospice does every day. 

Thank you for your continued support! 

MVIS: Championing Wellbeing in the Highways Sector

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MVIS: Championing Wellbeing in the Highways Sector 

At MVIS, we are committed to more than just creating innovative solutions for traffic management; we are dedicated to the wellbeing of our team. Recently, we proudly participated in our latest “Journey to Wellbeing,” activity.  

The initiative is aimed at improving mental health within the Highways sector.  It has provided a great opportunity to foster a supportive work environment, encourage physical activity, and promote mental wellness amongst our colleagues. 

The Journey to Wellbeing Initiative 

The Highways sector, a 24/7 industry, can be demanding. Often requiring long hours, high levels of concentration, flexibility and the ability to manage stressful situations. Recognising these challenges, the Journey to Wellbeing initiative was established to support those working in the sector. It aims to raise awareness about mental health, provide resources and support, and create a culture that prioritizes the wellbeing of all employees. 

At MVIS, we understand that mental health is as crucial as physical health. That’s why we have 3 Mental Health first aiders and embrace this initiative wholeheartedly, encouraging our team to participate in various activities designed to promote a positive mindset and a healthy lifestyle. 

The Olympics Quiz: A Nod to Our 2012 Legacy 

In keeping with the spirit of the Journey to Wellbeing, we organized an Olympics-themed quiz. This was particularly meaningful for us, as MVIS played a crucial role in traffic management during the London 2012 Olympics. MVIS deployed a 177 VMS on the Olympic Route Network, this ensured smooth transportation for athletes, officials, and fans during the event, and it was a proud moment in our company’s history. 

The quiz was a delightful mix of questions about Olympic history, MVIS’s involvement in the 2012 Games, and general sports trivia. The competition was fierce, but it was Sales Director, Graeme Lee who emerged victorious, clinching the gold medal by answering an impressive 12 out of 15 questions correctly. This was a fun and engaging way to reminisce about our achievements and connect over shared memories. 

Running in Front of Our Vehicle Activated Speed Sign 

In the spirit of physical fitness and friendly competition, we also held a unique event where participants ran in front of our new Vehicle Activated Speed Sign (VASS) to see who could run the fastest. Our VASS technology, which typically alerts drivers to their speed, was repurposed for the day to measure the speed of our runners. 

  

With excitement in the air, our team members took turns sprinting in front of the sign. It was a great way to get everyone moving and have some fun. Marketing Executive Ben Ashman claimed the title of the fastest runner, clocking an impressive 20 mph. The event was not only a test of speed but also a great way to encourage physical activity and camaraderie among our team.  

A Commitment to Wellbeing 

At MVIS, we believe that a healthy mind and body are key to a happy and productive life. Our participation in the Journey to Wellbeing initiative is just one example of our commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture. We are proud to support our team members in their journey towards better mental health and overall wellbeing. 

As we continue to innovate and provide cutting-edge solutions for traffic management, we remain dedicated to promoting a work environment that values and supports the wellbeing of every individual. Together, we are building a brighter, healthier future for the Highways sector and beyond. 

World Environment Day: Taking Action for a Sustainable Future

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This year is the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since 1973.

Why Should You Celebrate World Environment Day

Celebrating World Environment Day is essential as nature is in emergency mode, every century we get closer and closer to more extreme Global Warming Conditions. if we do not halve Greenhouse Gas Emissions by halve, we will be victim of the worse global warming effects ever by 2030.

Air Pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by over 50%, meaning we will have to implement safety guidelines when going grocery shopping or out on activities.

The amount of plastic waste in oceans will have tripled by 2040. leading into the theme of this years awareness day which is…

Solutions to Plastic Pollution

More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is in production yearly. Most of which is single use. Of this large amount on 10% is recycled.

Most of the plastics end their life in lakes, rivers and oceans. Estimated at 19-23 million tonnes, approximately the weight of the Eiffel Tower.

With plastics in lakes and rivers we not only need to think of the wildlife, but also consider Microplastics. Humans consume up to 50,000 plastic particles annually. Harming human health and pollute our beautiful natural landscapes.

How MVIS Contributes

Being ISO 14001 Certified since 2016 we have been lowering our Carbon Emissions for 8 years. We have been able to implement different ways of of ensuring our workshop is not giving off carbon emissions.

All Workshop staff have been trained to ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’ old units and repair them so there is no unnecessary waste of metals, plastics or wiring.

We also use WEEE Collections to dispose of components that have reached the end of their. Disposing of them ethically.

Read our ‘Sustainability in the Workshop’ blog to see how we stay sustainable.

How Can You Help?

  • One important yet easy conscious change you can make is being more mindful about how you dispose of your waste. Especially your plastics.
  • Taking part in litter picks with your local communities or councils also help – Clearing the floor of plastics that are potentially dangerous to humans and wildlife alike.
  • Join the #BeatPlasticPollution Movement – Meaning you can Access more information and actions you cnan carry out to contribute.
  • Sharing Environment Based Social Media Content – Sharing content to raise awareness such as UNEP’s LinkedIn or this blog.

Making more mindful decisions in your business or your day to day life will continue to help UNEP and the World Environment Day Committee lower Carbon Emissions and Plastic that people are discarding everyday. As well as monitoring how much plastic and emissions there are.

Implementing practices like MVIS has, helped us lower our emissions and continue to be a sustainable company.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

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This week (13 – 19 May) sees the return of Mental Health Awareness Week for 2024. With this year’s focus being on Movement. Since 2001 the Mental Health Foundation has shone the spotlight on mental health across the UK. Each year, they encourage millions of people to take part, from schools and further education, private & public sectors as well as families and individuals.  

 Here at MVIS we go the extra mile to ensure that we protect the mental health and wellbeing of staff with our monthly Journey to Wellbeing tasks. Working in an industry that suffers from high suicide rates, it is of vital importance that we stay one step ahead when it comes to mental health. The initiative, which was introduced by National Highways back in 2023 has seen the team take part in a host of different tasks with the aim of improving mental health by communicating and working as a team. Each year National Highways releases a yearly planner to follow with tasks which we have adapted to best suit our workforce and to increase communication. These include: Game Show style challenges, quizzes and even outdoor team games such as Rounders and Cricket. 

 Over the years, we have taken several steps to safeguard our team’s well-being and mental health. One of the things we’ve done to support our team is by giving them access to 3 qualified mental health first aiders. Our mental health first aiders are Rebecca Prince Purchasing – Supervisor, Jon Larkins, our Midlands and Northern Hub Manager and our Commercial and Operations Director, Anne Ashman.  

 Along with these measures, the MVIS team also have access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), an anonymous advice and support service offered by Peninsula where staff are able to access structured counselling should it ever be needed. If you feel that you may need advice or support on your mental health, some helpful links will be included below.  

 Anne Ashman said, “The mental health of our team is one of our top priorities and these initiatives provide the ideal opportunity for them to have a break and spend some time together. Here at MVIS we have been working with our staff for a long time now on ways we can best safeguard their mental health and wellbeing, which has helped us build the support system we have in place today.” 

 

Get help and support:  

 

MVIS Team Up With AGF

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MVIS have been working closely with events organisers for over a decade. With our solutions becoming a pivotal element to Festival line-ups and playing a key role in the safety of some of the biggest events this country has seen over the last 12 years, by delivering VMS (Variable Message Signs) and CCTV. Our portable, solar powered solutions having been developed by our in-house Research and Development Team.

As we continue our journey towards becoming carbon neutral, we also strive to help other businesses achieve their own targets. With the help of our Environmental Sensor, we have helped organisers monitor their impact on the environment. In keeping with our initiative to help other businesses, we have become a member of ‘A Greener Future’. A not-for-profit organisation working to help venues and events become more sustainable and reduce environmental impacts.

Becoming a member of this group ensures that we will continue to help make Events and Venues environmentally sustainable helping companies improve their carbon footprint. Our signs are Solar Powered, and our batteries are recharged at our Hubs across the UK. As a result, there is no wastage on batteries. The relevance? We can supply our signs knowing that whilst they are on hire, they are not causing harm to the environment.

Working with a company like AGF means we can ensure that our environmentally friendly initiative can continue into new and exciting events across the UK. With our strategically located hubs up and down the UK, being a full-fledged member means we can connect with organisers of Events and helping to ensure that they are well supported in their quest to becoming carbon neutral.

The Wonderful Women within MVIS.

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On the back of International Women’s Day, we got to thinking how the ladies at MVIS make each day work. 

Our talented group of women are the driving force of this company. Working in most areas to ensure the company runs correctly, everyone goes home safe, and our Products are up to standard, delivered on time, and well maintained.

The MVIS ladies are not limited to the office, you can often find them across all areas of the company.

Here are some of the amazing women at the core of MVIS:

Anne Ashman, Commercial and Operations Director:

As the companies only original member from the initial start-up, and working at MVIS for almost 13 years now, Anne has been the driving force behind all the accreditations, policies, process, building of the team and general management of MVIS.  Pushing the company forward to new and better opportunities, working with all departments and individuals alike to ensure they always have the resources needed to fulfil their roles.

When she is not in the office planning for the future on projects or supporting the team, she is happy travelling across the UK to one of the 3 strategic hubs.  She can be found working at trade shows, such as Highways at the NEC, liaising with old and new customers, or even on site auditing the delivery team to ensure they meet the platinum level service she expects of every member of her team.

She is quiet often working with R&D on new product ideas, you would be surprised how many products start from Anne & Tom Hooton’s (R&D manager) drawings on a white board.  Anne may even be in the workshop working on our Solar Powered Solutions when a helping hand is needed, these are just a few of the areas she covers.  Also, as our qualified Transport Manager she oversees the fleet with Clair Tranter, head of customer relations.

Juliette Wright and Donna Cree, Sales Team

If you have ever called the MVIS office and been greeted by a pleasant voice at the end of the phone or made an enquiry through sales@m-vis.co.uk and had very quick response, you have, most likely been in contact with Juliette or Donna.

Sales and Business Development Executive Juliette has been visiting companies working on new business and developing relationships further with MVIS customers, Juliette never shies away from a site visit or from a meeting with clients at their offices.

Sales Support Admin, Donna has also visited site with our dedicated drivers, an initiative for all members of staff to understand the importance of safety delivering to roadsides.

Clair Tranter and April Flaherty, Customer Relations

Behind every one of our great delivery team are Customer Relations. Keeping the vehicles on the road, planning the deliveries, repairs of units and supporting all our customers with technical enquiries, relocations and Health & safety paperwork are amongst just a few of their daily tasks, but most of all they are there supporting the drivers on the road.

Clair and April are no strangers to visiting site, both have accompanied a driver to deliver a unit as part of the training initiative.

Clair spent two days in Cobham Delivering with the teams at our Southern Hub.  She regularly supports Anne with the transport management, overseeing getting all vehicles into the garages in a timely manner that ensures we have the resources needed on the road for deliveries to our customers, working on FORS and training all the delivery and workshop team.  She is our resident expert on our delivery system, working closely on health & safety after recently passing her IOSH managing safely to assist the delivery team with all RAMS.

April works on the planning of repairs and servicing of all units to ensure they are working correctly when out on site. Working closely with the workshop team, organising their daily tasks, ensuring stock is available for any repairs needed or for newly built units that are sold.

Mizzy Watson, R & D Assistant

Mizzy was promoted into the R&D team due to her technical knowledge of our ITS products.  She is a regular in the workshop testing new products or helping the workshop team with her knowledge of our products, training team members on the systems and even fixing products to keep them at the expected MVIS standard. 

She is a great help on the technical folders of all our products, ensuring all new products being developed are tested to the correct standards, and supplying the correct information for all the companies departments, to help support getting the units out to site.

One of our crowning achievements at MVIS is the dedication to inclusivity and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to shine and excel in different areas. We do not limit one person to one area, we are proud of our lovely lady’s commitment to MVIS and helping out on the roads, either from a desk or on the road network.

10 years of Tom: A Decade of Dedication and Innovation

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Tom Hooton, MVIS’ Research & Development Manager recently celebrated a significant milestone in his career, marking 10 years of dedicated service to the company.
Tom’s journey at MVIS Ltd is a testament to his unwavering commitment, exceptional work ethic, and passion for the company’s mission and values. Tom’s tenure at MVIS began in 2014 when he joined the company as a maintenance and delivery driver. Tom quickly distinguished himself through his exemplary skills, dedication, and understanding of the company’s products and objectives. Over the years, he has ascended through various roles within the company, climbing the ranks and leaving a mark along the way.

Reflecting on his progression within the company, Tom said: “After transitioning from technical support to Research & Development Manager, I like to believe that I have grown alongside the company. When I first joined, MVIS Ltd was still in its infancy, and it has been incredibly rewarding to witness and contribute to its growth and evolution. I take immense pride in my role, knowing that I play a pivotal part in developing the innovative solutions that define MVIS Ltd.”

Anne Ashman, Group Commercial and Operations Director at MVIS Ltd, recalls her initial encounter with Tom and his subsequent rise within the company.
“In 2014, when I offered Tom a role as a maintenance & delivery driver, I quickly realised that his skill set and dedication were invaluable assets that would contribute significantly to the company’s growth.

“Having had the privilege of working alongside Tom for the past decade, I am delighted to witness his well-deserved recognition. Tom’s commitment to excellence, coupled with his willingness to support colleagues and customers alike, has been instrumental in shaping both our products and our company culture.”

Tom’s impact at MVIS Ltd extends beyond his technical expertise; he is widely admired for his willingness to go above and beyond to assist customers and colleagues alike. His efforts have earned him the respect of his colleagues, culminating in his recent recognition as the recipient of the company’s employee of the year award.
Commenting on the accolade, Anne added:

“It gives me great pleasure to present Tom with our recognition award at Christmas. The fact that Tom’s name emerged repeatedly during the staff voting process is a testament to the profound impact he has had on our organisation.”
As MVIS Ltd continues to innovate and expand its range of cutting-edge solutions, Tom remains at the forefront of driving technological advancements and delivering unparalleled value to customers.

IWD2024: Spotlight on Anne Ashman – The View from the Top

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As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2024, it’s rather apt to shine a spotlight on women who are breaking barriers and making significant strides in what could be conceived as traditionally male-dominated industries.

One such trailblazer is Anne Ashman, Group Commercial & Operations Director of MVIS, a leading provider of Portable VMS signs & Intelligent Transport Solutions.

Anne’s journey doesn’t just highlight personal achievement, but also underscores the progress being made in the highways industry towards gender equality and inclusivity. It also showcases MVIS as the inclusive company it is, putting ‘the best person for the job’ as the only criteria on the list for employment & progression opportunities.

Here we take a look at Anne’s career path with MVIS, her time in the highways sector, what brought Anne to where she is today, as well as some of the challenges faced and hurdles overcome on the route.

A Journey of Growth and Leadership

With over a decade of service at MVIS, Anne’s journey is a testament to her commitment, resilience, and leadership qualities.

Starting from the role of Office Manager within the company in 2012, Anne has steadily progressed through the ranks. Her journey exemplifies the opportunities for growth and advancement available to women in the sector, and at MVIS in particular.

The highways industry has historically been perceived as a male-dominated sector. However, the landscape is shifting, with an ever-growing female presence across a range of roles – from operative to boardroom level.

Anne’s leadership role at MVIS highlights this shift, and the company has a further female presence within its workforce to the tune of 35% percent – showcasing the continued opportunities available to females in the sector via a career with MVIS.

With ‘the best person for the job’ the ultimate goal, more women are welcomed not just into the sector in general, but into leadership positions within MVIS.

The Importance of Female Leadership

The presence of female role models like Anne is not only essential for promoting gender equality but also for driving innovation, and adding diverse perspectives within organisations.

As Anne continues to lead by example at MVIS, she contributes to the company’s success and reinforces the importance of female leadership in driving organisational growth and sustainability.

This ‘on the ground’ skillset is in addition to highlighting to females both in, and interested in entering the highways industry that it is a career path that brings opportunity for growth and progression.

A Brighter Future

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Anne’s journey serves as a reminder of the progress being made towards gender equality in the highways industry and beyond.

With more women like Anne assuming leadership roles, the future looks brighter and more inclusive than ever before. As we continue to champion diversity and empower women in the workplace, we pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous industry for all.

We spoke to Anne about being a female leader in a sector typically seen as male dominated, as well as some of the challenges faced, as well as crucially how they were overcome.

Anne told us:

“The sector is certainly a different landscape to the one I entered in 2012, with the number of females drastically increased. Take a look around an industry event or exhibition in 2024 and there’s almost a 50/50 split of males and females in the room. In 2012, women were very much a minority there.

Whilst working in the Highways Sector, I have had opportunities that I may not have had in other industries. Yes, I was a female in a male industry, but as someone who has always believed in equality and a role being filled by the right person, not a gender, then this didn’t bother me.

What I did do was take all the opportunities offered that has allowed me to move to the role I am now in. My list of qualifications and skills is endless, this is what I want others to read, it’s about hard work and grabbing the opportunities you are offered. Whether your female, non-binary, or male, you only gain by putting in the hard work and not being discouraged by being who you are”.

MVIS Staff Spread Festive Cheer at Ashgate Hospice

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Members of our team recently headed over to Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield to spread some Festive cheer, by serving some of the unsung heroes who give up their time and support to ensure that the hospice is a friendly and welcoming environment all year round.

The hospice is a local charity that provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to patients with a life-limiting illness and their families across North Derbyshire. Ashgate Hospice is not an NHS hospice and all the care that it provides is free of charge. In order to continue providing care when people need it most, Ashgate relies heavily on fundraising and community support from local businesses like us.

The team were on hand throughout the day to serve hot drinks including festive hot chocolate and non-alcoholic mulled punch along with a selection of Christmassy sweet treats of mince pies and chocolate Yule log. All home-made by the generous staff at our MVIS head office. Guests, patients, staff and volunteers were also able to take time out of their day and enjoy the Christmas classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ shown on the big screen as the Day Hospice was transformed in to a cinema room especially for the event. MVIS work throughout the year on various projects, finding new and exciting ways to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice including charity walks and a 10 week long, in-house Bake-Off competition where all bakes are sold with all profits going straight to the charity.

Jon Larkin – MVIS North Delivery Supervisor: “It’s always important to give something back to the local community. Whether that be time or support in other ways. It’s a pleasure to come to the Hospice and see the amazing work that takes place every single day and the wonderful people that make it all possible. The hospice is a vital part of the local community, many of us know people who have benefitted from the incredible work Ashgate do and to support such an amazing cause right on your doorstep gives us all immense pride”.

David Storer- Ashgate Hospice Events Organiser: “A massive thank you to you guys for coming over and providing all that stuff, as well as providing the cinema set up. The hot chocolates went down a storm with staff from across the hospice. Can I also just say thank you from all of us here for everything else you do for us throughout the year. From Bake-Off sales to the VMS you provide for us, it is all very much appreciated and the GIK, money you raise, and sponsorship of next years High Peak Trail, really does make a huge difference”.

To find out more about Ashgate Hospice and how you can make a difference this Christmas, just click the link: shorturl.at/EGSU8

Health

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Here at MVIS, we understand that the key to a thriving business starts and ends with those on the inside. Each of our departments is a vital cog in what we do and what we have been able to achieve and work towards in our forever adapting business.

Since day one we have prioritised the mental health of our team, arranging regular staff meetings for us to reconnect on a professional level but also organising events and casual meetups to get to know each other not only as colleagues but develop personal relationships outside of the working environment. In 2019 we partook in a local event where small businesses came together for the “Corporate Games” this sporting event allowed us to work as a team to win points and even saw us winning the final score due to our teamwork. We believe that these types of team building social events help us bond and develop a deeper appreciation of the team as a whole.

We continuously work towards being a socially responsible organisation and have taken this very seriously. Our Corporate Social Responsibility commitment sees us focusing on prioritising our efforts in giving back to society and the environment.

With this, we have developed our “Safe Mind Safe Body” initiative which is there to encourage all of our staff to work safe and smart, be it on site, in the office or in the warehouse. Our staff’s morale is vital in maintaining our award winning customer service which is why we have trained mental health first aiders at hand who are always there if any of our staff need to blow off some steam or need some advice.

This past year has been difficult for every business, but we understand that it is people’s individual lives that have been affected too. Because of this, we have been keen to ensure that moral is a topic that we don’t shy away from. Each morning we engage in a daily call via Microsoft Teams to not only share our daily workload but to allow people to maintain a sense of stability, as we appreciate that working from home can be difficult to separate work life from home life. We have also sourced an external means of offering advice and discussing personal issues an this is, Peninsula’s services, giving us a  well-rounded approach to our team’s wellbeing. And in addition, another service we have sought out at the end of 2020 is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Outside of the working hours, we have organised multiple ways for our team to be able to unwind. These activities have meant that we can maintain our strong relationship between staff members. We have done this by engaging in regular online games, birthday parties and chit chats. This is something that we have been able to use to our advantage as it means we can try and maintain a degree of “normality” but in a COVID safe way.

The image shows the safety hub logo a staff wellbeing initiative

CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility

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Responsible Business Conduct for a Better World

As a successful business, employer and member of the wider community, we believe it is our Corporate Social Responsibility to help the people and businesses in our local community. We provide a mixture of practical and financial support across a range of areas.

Safety

The safety of our customers, employees and the general public is one of our top priorities. The very nature of our products help to bring safety to the UK’s road network, for events and emergency situations.

At the heart of our business operations, safety is a core foundation that our organisation is built upon. Principals of safety are felt at every level of our business, from our staff to our products and service. Perhaps one of the most socially responsible priorities, our emphasis on safety serves as the base point we that we judge all aspects of our business on.

Safety training plays a huge part in this, with the danger presented in many aspects of our line of work potentially being life threatening in on-site environments and in manufacturing roles.

Some of the training we either mandate or offer to our staff are:

  • Manual handling
  • Role related safety training
  • Fire Warden training
  • First Aid training
  • Near Miss training

Employees & Training

We encourage our staff to undertake as much training as possible, increasing the safety and job satisfaction of our team members. As a result, we boast of one of the industry’s best trained workforces and continue to support employees in training and qualifications with no limit to their advancement.

We also prioritise mental health, wellbeing and physical health in our approach to staff.

A few things we do to ensure this are: 

  • All employees receive literature detailing the mental health first aid protocol ‘ALGEE’
  • We offer the services of 2 mental health first aiders to lean on when their mental health is suffering
  • Offering the use of services such as Peninsula’s EAP 
  • We encourage staff to enjoy their downtime when possible, discouraging employees to take their work home with them and support staff in personal endeavours where applicable
  • Offering a wide range of free fruit each week for our employees, as well as free healthy lunch options for all employees if they want them
  • Employees are encouraged to take part in corporate fitness and sporting challenges throughout the year
  • Assisting an employee back to work after an extended illness we work with them on measures such as the reduction of hours or responsibilities if they feel they need them
  • We promote an open, inclusive and friendly company culture that rewards hard work and dedication
  • Offering a generous employee benefits package
  • We promote a culture of competitive pay in our organisation not only to reward our staff for their hard work, but also to keep them and help prevent poaching

Community Outreach & Charity

We take pride in our community outreach efforts, which have seen us offer our products, time and financial support to a range of community causes as and when they occur.

Some of our community activities include: 

  • We regularly reach out to businesses affected by local emergencies such as flooding with the offer of our products to support with reopening, community information or security
  • We run an apprenticeship scheme to support the careers of local youngsters
  • Regularly provide work experience for students from Matlock’s Highfields school
  • We also take part in local volunteering activities that benefits the community as a whole. For example, we work closely with our local community school in the form of annual mock interviews and critical thinking challenges for the students
  • Taking place throughout the year, our charity initiatives reach their peak during Christmas time. Each year, as an organisation, we pick a homeless charity to raise money for from our Christmas jumper day, which staff bring funds to take part in. Throughout December, we also hold a food bank collection which is donated before Christmas to a local food bank.
  • We remain opportunistic in this with charity taking the form of attendance at charity events, responses to local emergencies (both in financial support and services) and even advice.
  • Supporting the Ashgate Hospice, we raise money for the charity by running our in house baking competition, The Great MVIS Bake Off, partaking in the Treecycle, the Sparkle Walk and sponsoring the High Peak Trail. Before Christmas staff members volunteered to host a movie night for the team at Ashgate. Most recently MVIS have sponsored a sky dive, done by our own Rob Hinchley, done on the 27th of September 2024.
  • Having initiative to clean our offices, we are proud of our offices, this is why we take part in a litter pick in our surrounding area to ensure that the offices and roads around us are clean and maintained.
  • We support local sports individuals, in recent years we have sponsored many athletes over the years including Karl Johnston, a world champion Kickboxer, and the Matlock Town Football Team supplying them with a VMS outside the pitch.
  • We have also sponsored smaller local football teams including the Cromford & Wirksworth Town Football Club. We have sponsored one of MVIS’ own, Jacob Spencer, the leading striker in the team.

 

Environmental responsibility

The very nature of the majority of our products have a strong environmental focus. Our specialism being in solar power provides us a position of privilege to offer environmentally friendly products to organisations looking to minimise their carbon footprint and environmental impact. 

Understanding the carbon footprint of our service, we strive to ensure that we minimise our emissions output wherever possible. Some of the steps we have taken are as follows: 

  • Our delivery model sets out to deliver multiple units at a time where necessary. Working to reduce our carbon footprint, we can offload up to 3 x VMS A units in one delivery, up to 2 x VMS C units, or up to 2 x Solar IP units.
  • We have taken steps to help reduce our energy consumption over recent years and continue to commit to this through new innovations. Technological upgrades such as movement sensors and timers in our lights, hand dryers and eco-friendly heating solutions have been installed in our head office

We have a number of initiatives in place that helps the wildlife in our local area. Amongst these include a bee hotel and a hedgehog home that is maintained by our staff. 

The importance of bees to the environment and global eco systems are well documented, and our choice for hedgehogs is close to our industry, with an estimated 1/4 of the population of hedgehogs being killed on UK roads each year.

We also maintain an on-site flower bed with plants monitored by our team in an effort to give back to the environment and bring some natural beauty to our local area.  

Mobile Visual Information Systems

01629 580 570

MVIS, Units 6-8, Brookfield Way, Brookfield Industrial Estate, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 5ND

© 2022. Company registered in England No. 8130402 - Registered Office: Units 6-8, Brookfield Way, Brookfield Industrial Estate, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 5ND