Education and literacy are causes particularly close to our hearts. As a company built around communication, we know the power that learning can unlock. That is why Blake has partnered with School in a Bag, a charity that provides essential learning resources to children who would otherwise go without. Each SchoolBag contains exercise books, pencils, maths sets and stationery - simple tools that open up a lifetime of opportunity. To date, Blake has funded 2,123 School Bags globally, including 352 bags for the Ukraine Appeal, and our staff have rolled up their sleeves to help pack and prepare the bags themselves.

In addition to School in a Bag, Blake has empowered children globally, donating:

• 622 pairs of shoes to provide essential footwear for children in need.
• 4,000 writing packs to support literacy and communication for young learners.
• 400 resource packs, providing comfort and educational materials to children in hospital.
• 1,000 items of essential clothing to vulnerable children in global communities.
  
  For us, every School Bag or resource pack represents a child gaining the ability to learn, write and dream - reflecting our ethos that education connects people in the most meaningful way.

Every year, we donate to a number of charities, both local and national. Our approach is simple: we support causes that truly make a difference, often those that have touched the lives of our staff, friends and families. Recent examples include:

• Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, a charity providing lifesaving emergency care across the region, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance delivers advanced medical treatment at the scene when every second matters.

• Francis House, a charity providing care, respite and emotional support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

• National Autistic Society, a charity supporting autistic people and their families through education, advocacy and practical services.
  
  These initiatives reflect the ethos of Blake, a company that cares deeply about its neighbours and invests time, resources, and heart in making a difference.

Stories have a unique way of inspiring curiosity, creativity and a love of learning, especially in children. That’s why Blake is proud to support the Postal Museum’s The Jolly Postman experience by donating writing packs that encourage young visitors to engage with storytelling in a hands-on way.

These packs help children take part in creative activities linked to the much-loved story, giving them the tools to write, draw and respond to the characters and letters they discover. By supporting this initiative, Blake is helping to spark imagination, build confidence and connect children with the joy of communication - reflecting our belief that writing and storytelling remain powerful ways to bring people together.

Responsibility extends beyond environmental impact. Safeguarding health and wellbeing within our community is an equally important part of that commitment. At our Yeovil site, we have installed a publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED), available between 7am and 7pm and officially registered on The Circuit, the UK’s national defibrillator network. Four members of the Blake team are trained and certified in CPR and AED use, ensuring that help is at hand whenever it’s needed.

Protecting the planet starts right here in our own community. At our Yeovil headquarters, we are proud to hold ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification, ensuring that every part of our operation meets the highest environmental standards. Working closely with our trusted local partners M&J Bowers and Perrys Recycling, we ensure that none of our site waste goes to landfill. In 2024, we diverted 75.7 tonnes of waste from landfill, including:

• 51,410 kg of paper
• 13,173 kg of pallets
• 4,920 kg of plastic
• 4,620 kg of card
• 1,577 kg of mixed recycling
  
  Every kilogram recycled represents a small victory in our collective effort to reduce impact and preserve the resources that sustain us all. Blake’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop there. Led by our Evolve Team, we’re always finding new ways to tread a little lighter. From fitting energy-saving LED lighting that has reduced our consumption by 32% to replacing plastic tape with paper alternatives across every parcel we send, each small step adds up to something much greater.