World FM Day 2023: Making A Real Difference
Each year, World FM Day recognises the commitment of the facilities management industry to developing and supporting the built environment. FM keeps our world going day to day, it underpins the operations of millions of businesses globally and supports a greater number of people every year.
As part of an industry with such far reaching impact, making a real difference has become a responsibility for all players in FM. Corps Security takes this responsibility seriously, going beyond keeping people and assets safe – we’re all about making a real difference at a national and local level.
In 1859, the Corps of Commissionaires was founded to provide gainful employment to the servicemen returning from the Crimean War. Since then, our social mission has been the backbone of our business and has seen Corps elevated thanks to our commitment to supporting UK veterans and reinvesting our profits to invest in our people.
Social value
As a certified Social Enterprise, Corps is proudly one of the UK’s most ethical security firms. Corps Security fully endorses the Real Living Wage and our engagement with the Living Wage Foundation is fundamental to our organisation, with our CEO, Mike Bullock, taking an active role.
We continue to tackle diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment process while providing support for our diverse workforce through our award-winning Corps Together initiative which provides wellbeing resources and help for our colleagues.
Helping others
We also believe in making a real difference through supporting the underrepresented veterans community and the less fortunate. Earlier this year, a team from Corps took on the Tour de Corps cycle challenge to raise funds for our charity partner, Combat Stress – the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. The team covered over 1200km from Glasgow to London and raised over £10,000 for Combat Stress.
In April, Corps Security donated over 40 unrequired uniform suits to Suited and Booted, a charity helping vulnerable, unemployed and low-income individuals into employment by providing suitable clothing and interview advice. Corps has also agreed to provide vehicle support, when possible, to collect donations and deliver them to the charity headquarters.
Mental health
Historically, the security industry has battled an invisible enemy, affecting our colleagues in the form of poor mental health. Research shows that up to 40% of security officers display symptoms of PTSD while its estimated that security officers are the third highest industry impacted by suicide.
While many intitaitves exist to address mental health in the security industry, we believe that by coming together to overcome the stigma around mental health, we can make a real difference. This month, Corps is bringing together security and FM leaders and professionals alongside the #SecurityMindsMatter team and Combat Stress to help influence real change in our industry at a special event.
A History of Looking Forward
For over 160 years, we have been evolving our mission through the ages and many societal changes to support the communities we’re part of today and continue to make a real difference in society.
#WorldFMDay2023