At the beginning of the year, Aico was shortlisted for the 2026 Better Society Awards in the Commitment to the Local Community category. This recognition celebrates our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme: In the Community, an initiative dedicated to supporting our communities through education, charity support and volunteering.
From meeting television royalty at a local book event we sponsored, to taking on the Scafell Pike trek, here is a look at what we have been up to in the first three months of the year.
Education
So far in 2026, we have supported over 750 students through a range of activities designed to inspire confidence, develop skills and introduce students to the world of work. These initiatives have included:
- Team building and career-based workshops at Aico.
- Educational workshops in schools.
- Mock interview sessions.
- Interview support for SEND students.
- A virtual apprenticeship talk.
- Careers fairs.
CSR workshops
In February, we hosted forty Year 12 business students from Shrewsbury Colleges Group for bespoke workshops exploring how CSR benefits businesses. The sessions provided an insight into how different teams operate across Aico and how sustainability is embedded throughout our organisation. Students also took part in team-building activities designed to encourage collaboration, communication and creative thinking, giving them valuable insight into real workplace dynamics. You can read more about the workshops here.
Booka Bookshop Event
In March, Aico proudly sponsored Booka Bookshop’s special event, which brought together 12 local schools and 609 children for a day filled with imagination, storytelling and creativity. The event aimed to inspire a love of reading through a panel of talented storytellers and a guest appearance from author and TV presenter Dermot O’Leary. Every child attending received their own book to take home, helping to spark confidence, curiosity and a lifelong enjoyment of reading.
WiTathon
In March, we sponsored the annual WiTathon, a two-day hackathon held at Bath University, designed to support women and gender minorities in technology. The Best Social Impact award was won by a team of three students who created an app called CapySure. Designed and built in just 24 hours, the app aims to empower women and gender minorities to enter the trades industry by connecting them with customers seeking trusted professionals. With the electrical industry still heavily male-dominated, the event provided a fantastic opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day by recognising innovation and supporting inclusivity within the sector.
Charity
In January, Leanne, founder of Little Stars, visited Aico to provide a reflective look back at the charity’s journey so far. We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a Lifetime Corporate Supporter of the organisation and to continue supporting the vital work they do for families in our community. We also welcomed members of local charity Qube to Aico’s headquarters, where our elderly community guests enjoyed a relaxing morning watching Downton Abbey in our auditorium.
Scafell Pike Charity Trek
In February, eight Aico colleagues took on the challenge of trekking Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, alongside CEF. Despite challenging weather conditions, the team successfully completed the trek and raised £1,595 for Men’s Minds Matter, a charity working to change how society understands, prevents and responds to suicide amongst men. If you would like to support this fantastic cause, you can donate here.
Volunteering
Since the beginning of 2026, Aico colleagues have contributed 155 volunteering hours (as of 24th March 2026) supporting a range of local projects. Activities have included:
- Clearing hedgerows along the Montgomery Canal.
- Renovating Harlescott Grange Community Hub with The 4 All Foundation.
- Tree planting, concreting and supporting livestock care at Willowdene Rehabilitation.
Gemma from The 4 All Foundation shared her thanks: “Thank you to your team who came to Harlescott Grange Community Centre to help renovate the hall, your team members were lovely and worked really hard. The centre is starting to look a bit more loved, and we are excited to next look at improving the entrance to make it more inviting.”
Looking Ahead
At Aico, we pride ourselves on our CSR programme being more than a box-ticking exercise. It is embedded into the way our colleagues work and forms a core part of our company culture.
From offering volunteer hours and providing charitable support to creating bespoke educational opportunities for local students, we are always looking for new ways to support our communities. If you know of a local group or initiative that could benefit from our support, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us here.
