GLOBAL manufacturer Encirc has become the first corporate partner to roll out bespoke mini- Baby Boxes for employees, in collaboration with North East charity The Children’s Foundation and its new trading arm, TCF Trading Ltd.
These carefully curated boxes, which include carefully chosen items designed to support a baby’s early development, will be given to every member of staff heading off on maternity and paternity across the businesses’ three sites and are designed to help new parents feel confident and equipped during those vital early weeks.
This initiative is being delivered through the charity’s newly launched trading arm, with all proceeds reinvested into charitable work right here in the North East, meaning ENCIRC’s support extends beyond their own workforce, helping children and young people across our region get the best start in life.
Part of the Vidrala Group, Encirc is based across three sites in Derrylin, Northern Ireland and two in England; Cheshire and Bristol. The business employs over 2,000 people and each year produces more than 3 billion glass containers for leading global brands.
Last year, as part of Encirc’s Values In Action campaign, the team ran a competition and the winning initiative was the new Baby Box scheme, suggested by Katrina McCarroll. It’s a meaningful welcome gift for new parents that reflects the care that the organisation aims to embed at every level.
Katrina said, “I was inspired by the simple yet powerful idea behind Finland and Scotland’s baby box schemes, I wanted to bring that same sense of care and support to new parents in our workplace.”
Sean Soulsby, chief executive of The Children’s Foundation said, “Our partnership with ENCIRC marks an exciting milestone for The Children’s Foundation and its new trading arm . As the first corporate partner to introduce bespoke Baby Boxes for their employees, ENCIRC is setting a powerful example of how businesses can support new parents in a meaningful, practical way.
“These bespoke mini-Baby Boxes are more than just a gift, they’re filled with carefully chosen items designed to support a baby’s early development and help new parents feel more confident during those critical first weeks and months. It’s refreshing to see a business not only recognise the importance of the early years, but actively invest in giving their teams and their families the best possible start.
“This is the first partnership to be delivered through our newly formed trading arm TCF Trading Ltd. and everything purchased via our trading arm helps fund our wider charitable work—so ENCIRC’s commitment is helping to improve outcomes for children and young people across the North East, as well as supporting their valued colleagues. We’re incredibly grateful for their generosity, leadership and vision and look forward to seeing the initiative go from strength to strength.”