Sharing our passion, and giving back to the world

One of the key things that helps to drive our teams forward is our passion to help and serve the communities local to us. We pride ourselves on open communication, breaking down barriers in both community and industry, treating everyone with the same values of quality of service and respect.

We feel it is vital to put back into the communities where we operate, this takes many forms from larger formal organisations such as The Princes Trust, through to low key direct action such as shipping clothing to children in Grenada, a life boat to Tortola, play equipment to Bequia, and much needed aid in the aftermath of disasters.

Corporate Social Responsibility Latest News

Distribution of Gifts to Grenada - Donated by UK School

Last week the Foundation’s head of Trustees in Grenada – Andre Paterson, played Santa Claus when he delivered gifts to the students of The Limes School in St George’s and Victoria School in St Patrick’s – two of the three Special Educational Needs Schools the Foundation works with on the Caribbean Island.

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture – Hon. Alexandra Otway-Noel attended The Limes School to see the children receive their presents, along with school officials.

The beautifully wrapped gifts were kindly donated by the teachers, pupils and their parents, from Meadow High School in Hillingdon following their Head Teacher – Ross Macdonald’s visit to the Grenada schools in June 2013. On his return from Grenada, Ross organised with his school, a collection of stationery items; pens; pencils; colouring pencils; paper and small gifts for each of the children to be gift-wrapped in shoe boxes.

The school amassed over 200 shoe boxes of gifts and 30 boxes of plain A4 paper which were shipped, courtesy of one of the Foundation’s Sponsors - Kestrel Liner Agencies, to Grenada in late December, and delivered to the Island with the support and assistance of the Ministry of Grenada. Unfortunately it was too late for the presents to be distributed to the children before Christmas however, they have been a welcome surprise for the children on their return to school after the Christmas holidays.

Ross is a Primary trained teacher and has held senior posts in three of the five Special schools he has worked for, four of which were residential. He has worked with a wide range of disabilities including behaviour, learning and physical difficulties and is currently the Head Teacher of Meadow High School a 211 place 11-19 day school for pupils with Complex learning difficulties and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders. The school has had three successful Ofsted and HMI (Her Majesty Inspector) visits during Ross's leadership.

He has also been an External Advisor for over 10 schools where he has supported Governing Bodies in School and Head Teacher target setting.

The pupils of St Andrews school haven’t been forgotten – their gifts will be given to them next Tuesday after their cross country race, by Otis Roberts – CEO of the Foundation, Rob Burton - a specialist disability football coach and Deputy Chief Officer at West London disability charity DASH and Cae Menai Davis from The Golf Trust – an organisation which was set up to highlight and develop the inclusive values of golf, who are all travelling to Grenada to deliver the next stage of the Foundation’s Physical Education for Children with Special Needs program.

http://www.meadowhighschool.org/

http://dash.org.uk/

http://www.thegolftrust.com/

http://ghta.org/

http://www.truebluebay.com/

http://www.sgu.edu/

http://www.dabscarrental.com/

The Prince's Trust

The Prince's Trust, founded in 1976, is one of the United Kingdom's most successful funding organisations. We at Kestrel never fail to be inspired by their ongoing efforts to uplift the younger generations.

In January 2017, we partnered with the Prince's Trust International, a new International arm launched in 2015, to deliver their 'Get into Logistics' programme. The 'Get into' is an employability scheme in Barbados with the aim of helping disadvantaged young people on the island gain vital sector-specific skills. Our first wave of students on the 'Get into Logistics' programme all graduated with flying colours.

Mark Davidian from Kestrel had the pleasure of giving the participants of 'Get into Logistics' their graduation certificates. He heard first-hand the benefits of the programme to the young people involved.

I was very honoured to attend the Prince's Trust International Event and to meet this first wave of students – an inspiring group of enthusiastic, energetic young people looking to find a start and hopefully building a career in logistics. As the future of their industry they need to be given a chance. The benefits from this programme are already being realised in Barbados and we look forward to seeing the programme expand across the Caribbean region.

Mark Davidian

One of the biggest success stories of the 'Get into Logistics' programme was our trainee Orian. We were so impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm, we offered her a job in our offices in Barbados. We're pleased to report that she accepted, saying:

Six weeks ago I knew nothing about shipping! In five weeks I have learnt so much. I am looking forward to finding out so much more about the shipping and logistics industry. I am particularly looking forward to seeing a product on the shelves in Barbados knowing that I played a part in importing it.

We have also had the pleasure of working with the Prince's Trust International to sponsor their very successful 'Get into Hospitality' programme. This is an intensive 12-week programme which supports 15 young people who are not yet ready to enter employment and works with them to develop not only their confidence but also other key skills they will require through a residential week, community project and work placements. This programme also boasts a high degree of success with helping young people to find opportunities within the hospitality industry.

Here at Kestrel, we owe our success to the many different communities around the globe, so we are proud to support those who support us. We remain aware of the many different issues that these communities face, and are eager to help them however we can as it is part of the Mission Statement that Kestrel is built upon.