The team at The Oracle Group are thrilled to have won the Epsom and Ewell Business Excellence Award for Best Business – Support of Local Charity.

In what has been an exceptional year, the ‘Covid special’ awards were held via Zoom, recognising local businesses that adapted to the challenging circumstances they faced. The Oracle Group were awarded ‘Best Business Support of a Local Charity’ for our charity initiatives and efforts across the last year, including our work with Age Concern Epsom and Ewell, Cancer Research, Jeans for Genes, Children’s Hospital Pyjamas, Foodbank donations and of course, supporting our local NHS heroes.

When lockdown was imposed back in March, our office was closed shortly after, in line with government advice. Our team managed to keep up their morale by taking part in virtual ‘Friday Fun’, with the help of a few treats being delivered from the office! It was during this time that we began to reflect on those who would be spending lockdown on their own, as well as those who were feeling the strain of the pandemic, both financially and emotionally. So, the team came together with some ideas to give back to the local community.

The main charity that we chose to focus on this year was Age Concern Epsom and Ewell, who are dedicated to providing companionship, support and advice to older people. With the elderly being a shielded group, we wanted to do something to make them feel a little less isolated in lockdown. As a surprise, we organised the delivery of afternoon teas, bringing a bit of cheer to our local residents and some well-deserved company. Alongside this, the team baked some wonderful cakes for Epsom and Kingston Hospitals for NHS workers, as they continued to battle the virus on the frontline. We have also been supporting our local Foodbanks, which have seen an unprecedented demand for food and household essentials as a result of the pandemic.

We would like to thank the committee for the honour of receiving the award for Best Business – Support of Local Charity, and congratulate all of the other local businesses that were both nominated and won awards. Community has always been at the heart of what we do at The Oracle Group and will continue to play a central role in our business going forward.