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GSK
receives CommunityMark for global community initiatives
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has become one of the first companies
to be awarded the new CommunityMark by the UK organisation
Business in the Community (BITC) a unique movement of over
800 of the UK’s leading companies committed to improving
their positive impact on society.
The only manufacturing company to receive the award, GSK was
assessed alongside some of the UK’s largest retailers,
banks, and professional services firms in a rigorous selection
and review process. The CommunityMark is BITC’s newest
initiative and sets a standard that recognises the best companies
with regard to their investment in the community. It is the
only award of its kind in the UK and is endorsed by the Government
and voluntary sector leaders.
The Mark has been given to GSK for work at a local and national
level in the UK as well as larger international programmes.
GSK can use the CommunityMark for three years and then apply
for it to be renewed.
Chamindra Dassanayake, who heads Corporate Social Responsibility
initiatives for GSK Pharmaceuticals in Sri Lanka added: “This
worldwide commitment of GSK is well represented in our initiatives
in Sri Lanka. From a community point of view, GSK focuses
on programmes that are innovative, sustainable and bring real
benefit to those most in need by investing in health and education.”
One of GSK’s biggest projects in Sri Lanka was a commitment
of Rs 29 million in the aftermath of the tsunami to help restore
healthcare systems and improve service capacity, including
the construction of a community clinic, the provision of mobile
medical services to displaced communities and specialist art
therapy/psychosocial support to help children recover. Other
more recent projects included the refurbishment of a ward
at the Welisara Chest Hospital and the donation of a fully-equipped
High Dependency Unit (HDU) to the Lady Ridgeway Children’s
Hospital.
The assessment process for the CommunityMark included demonstrating
to the review panel that GSK has a long-term, high-level commitment
to community investment. Specific examples include GSK’s
flagship programmes for Lymphatic Filariasis, Positive Action
for HIV/AIDS and PHASE, the hygiene education programme for
children. The panel also interviewed many of our community
partners and employee volunteers.
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