You may have seen The Basingstoke Business for Good (BBFG) verification and wondered what it’s all about? We’ve spoken to the brains behind the scheme and some businesses that have signed up to shed more light on this.

How did it come about?

Inspired by the Basingstoke Ambassador launch event in 2024 and discussions surrounding a kindness revolution in Basingstoke, Kaia Vincent of Brevity Marketing was determined to create a way to help the business community make positive changes. As a certified B Corporation, she saw the need for a more practical and accessible verification process that could guide businesses towards making positive impacts on people, the planet, and the community. It is a step on the journey towards becoming ISO14001 or B Corp Certified that provides an impact at a local level.

This initiative was born out of a collaboration with Destination Basingstoke and aims to fill the gap for businesses seeking a simpler path to sustainability and recognising and rewarding them for their good achievements.

What businesses need to do

To receive the BBFG verification, businesses must meet at least five out of seven criteria designed to promote fair wages, community engagement and sustainable practices.

• Pay fair – all employees must be paid at least the Real Living Wage. Apprenticeships are exempt as are start-ups and solo-entrepreneurs who may struggle to pay themselves a wage or chose not to pay themselves to this level.
• Attend People Planet Pint a local sustainability networking group at least three times in the year. These are held every other month at The Alchemy Bar at the Top of the Town with the first 33 drinks of the evening provided by PPP sponsor Krystal Hosting.
• Have undertaken Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training in the last two years.
• Embrace a 12-month sustainability challenge to encourage employees to improve their personal sustainability credentials like recycling, repurposing and reviewing their consumption habits.
• Give one per cent of profits to charity, preferably local charities in Basingstoke and Deane.
• Give staff at least one CSR day per year to volunteer, also preferably with local charities and community groups.
• Support local suppliers to keep supply chains localised and more money in our local economy.

The verification process involves Kaia meeting with the company to review practices and identify areas for improvement. This meeting is designed to be straightforward and focused on practical actions rather than extensive documentation. Businesses who’ve gone through it, describe it as a smooth experience, with conversations that spark useful ideas they can immediately apply to meet any unmet criteria.

Regular check-ins will take place to ensure that businesses stay on track and continue to make progress. An annual awards ceremony is planned to celebrate the achievements of verified businesses, with handcrafted plaques awarded made by BCOT and Basingstoke Maker Space. 

The story so far

Kaia tells us a number of businesses have already signed up with more expressing an interest in verification. Businesses like Figure Fox and Piece of Cake Accounting have both been motivated to enhance their sustainability efforts as part of the verification process.

Patricia from Figure Fox tells us she was motivated to sign up to the verification. She said: “Business isn’t just about making profits; it’s about making a difference in society.  I believe that by being verified I can highlight to other people what I do and encourage a general ethos of kindness and good in Basingstoke, and beyond.”

Cornerstone Nurseries are keen to join the initiative and have a date for their verification meeting booked in. Cheryl tells us “being a business rooted in community and family values, we recognise our responsibility to be a role model for positive change. Through this initiative, we’re actively networking in Basingstoke and look forward to connecting with like-minded local businesses, sharing best practices, and working together to make a meaningful impact in Basingstoke.”

Future plans

The goal for 2025 is to have at least 40 businesses in Basingstoke and Deane signed up to the verification. If this target is met, there are plans to expand the initiative to other towns in the UK. However, the focus remains on making Basingstoke a successful flagship town for this movement.

Contribution to the borough

Wondering how this verification contributes to the overall wellbeing of the borough?

Kaia said: “It’s about doing business better. Being more considerate. Joining communities and charities with businesses – and vice-versa.”

Hearing from those that have signed up there is a real feel that businesses can make a difference.

Elizabeta from Piece of Cake Accounting tells others to “just do it, even if you think you already do everything - there is so much more. If you think you are not doing anything, or not enough - join us and do it together with us! It's so much easier together!”

Written April 2024.