Birchsorb is always giving back!
BirchSorb is the newest product from Birch Chemicals – and it could be the best. It’s something special. Our exclusive hyperdesiccant formula can absorb at least 200% of its own weight and lasts for a minimum of eight weeks. It has potential benefits to consumers (in homes, storage buildings, leisure vehicles and more) and to many industries – particularly shipping, packaging and storage.
But it’s not just quarries, laboratories and secret formulas here. It’s also fun and fascinating. In this blog we don’t just try to sell, we highlight interesting or important things about BirchSorb, Birch Chemicals and parent company Singleton Birch. Things that add some context or colour to our story.
In this particular edition we’re going to look at core ethos. Singleton Birch (and therefore the whole group of companies) has proudly maintained a close relationship with the charity sector for many decades. We’re going to look at the charities we support and the work they do.
In the 19th-century William Singleton Birch founded the company Singleton Birch, parent company of Birch Chemicals, developers of BirchSorb. Singleton Birch supports three of the nation’s most important organisations: RSPCA, NSPCC and Barnardos. But what are these charities, and what do they do – and how did the connection to Singleton Birch begin?
Where it all began
In 1958 an amazing act of benevolence left a huge amount of shares in Singleton Birch in trust, for the benefit of the NSPCC, RSPCA and Barnardos. To this day these charities receive financial support from us in the form of dividends equating to approximately 50% of the group’s profits. That is a not insignificant amount of money each year, all to help three of the finest organisations.
Children’s charities
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was originally founded in 1884 (under a slightly different name). It works on a whole range of issues to tackle cruelty to children – whether that means domestic abuse, neglect, the impacts of poverty or, the need for improved online safety. Its work is very important: At least two children in the average primary school classroom, experience abuse or neglect and, by the time they become 18, the number rises to at least four.
The NSPCC works closely with schools and other social organisations, and also provides therapeutic services, counselling, helplines, research projects and support and advice for families. We’re proud to support this charity, which does everything it can for our children.
Similarly, Barnardos is a remarkable organisation which was founded in 1886 with the purpose of caring for and educating vulnerable children who had been orphaned by an outbreak of a killer disease. It began as a single small school in the East End of London, but by 1905 there were 96 locations caring for over 8,000 children.
Today, although there are no longer any orphanages run by Barnardos, there are over 900 services aimed at helping vulnerable children. These include fostering and adoption plus children’s centres, along with support services for mental health, young carers, children with a parent in prison, domestic abuse victims and counselling and support for children, young people and their parents to overcome problems caused by alcohol and drugs.
Barnardo’s is currently the UK’s largest children’s charity, in terms of financial expenditure, and we’re very proud of our connection to them.
Animals are important too
There are many other charities also working tirelessly for the benefit of other human beings, but perhaps one of our country’s most compassionate organisations in our country is the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Founded in 1824, with Royal patronage granted by Queen Victoria a few years later, the RSPCA is is one of our finest charities, which aims to protect the animal population up and down the UK – whether that is domestic pets or wild animals. Sadly, it’s not the case that everyone loves their pets. Whether unintentionally or through cruelty, there are many animals in situations which require intervention and even rescue.
The RSPCA is responsible for successfully lobbying Parliament to introduce an Animal Welfare Act. This was written into law in 2006, and it places a ‘duty of care’ onto people to ensure they take the right and reasonable steps to meet the needs of their animals. These are: The need for a suitable environment and suitable diet, the need to be able to exhibit normal animal behaviour patterns, the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease, and the need for appropriate housing (i.e.. with or apart from other animals). The Act means that, after an initial assessment and advice by RSPCA officers, if the animal's needs are not being met action can be taken – which could mean a formal warning or even a prosecution.
So that’s it. BirchSorb, Birch Chemicals, Singleton Birch: Giving back. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about the way we think and the things we do, while you consider investing in the stunningly effective qualities of BirchSorb.