A BRADFORD business is encouraging local firms to use a new online benchmarking tool to help measure how they apply social responsibility in the areas of education, employment, environment and the community.

Yorkshire law firm Gordons is supporting the launch of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce's new software which helps businesses audit their social responsibility activity.

The tool is one of a number of new features in the Chamber’s extended Raising The Bar programme which includes online ‘top tips’ and case studies which aim to empower and equip firms of all sizes to consider the positive impact they can make in the wider community.

Duncan Firman, partner at Gordons LLP and based in the firm’s Bradford offices, said: “The Chamber’s social responsibility benchmarking tool is a fantastic resource to help businesses really measure the great work they already do in the community and guide them in how to improve their social responsibility activities. We’d definitely encourage others to put people and the community at the heart of their business and to get involved in Raising the Bar 2018. For us, our apprenticeship scheme has been a resounding success and we were all very proud to receive such prestigious recognition from Raising the Bar 2017 for it. The award is further testament to the positive way in which the scheme is being received and we look forward to its future successes.”

Chief Executive Sandy Needham added: “Raising The Bar has historically celebrated regional social responsibility success stories. The Chamber now wants to do even more to help local businesses give back by connecting with and learning from others who have already made a start. Our free, online social responsibility diagnostic tool offers businesses a thorough insight and a starting point to explore their current role within the community before considering how to improve or expand into new areas.”

She added: “Good social responsibility isn’t all about raising money – there is real value in transferring knowledge and skills through the gift of your time."

Visit www.raising-the-bar.org.uk/social-impact.