{"id":45141,"date":"2026-06-09T16:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T15:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/?p=45141"},"modified":"2026-06-09T16:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T15:04:15","slug":"the-ocs-foundation-making-a-difference-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/news\/the-ocs-foundation-making-a-difference-together\/","title":{"rendered":"The OCS Foundation: Making a Difference Together"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The past 12 months have been an incredibly positive and impactful period for the OCS Foundation<\/a>, with colleagues across the business coming together to support communities, create opportunities, and raise vital funds for those who need it most.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, with support from colleagues, suppliers and the wider OCS Group, the Foundation has raised an incredible \u00a3220,106.00, supported by 62 dedicated Foundation Champions<\/a>\u00a0who continue to drive fundraising, community activity, and colleague support across the business.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Foundation was\u00a0established\u00a0to support children and young people facing barriers, strengthen communities, and create opportunities that can change lives. Today, that commitment continues through partnerships and initiatives that support families, wellbeing, education, and local communities across the UK and Ireland.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fundraising Across the Business<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Colleagues across OCS have supported the Foundation through a wide range of fundraising activities over the past year, bringing teams together while\u00a0raising funds\u00a0for the OCS\u00a0Foundation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>125 Challenge<\/a>\u00a0brought colleagues from around the globe together to celebrate the 125th anniversary of OCS. Teams took part in a virtual race along a 125-mile route, raising a staggering \u00a341,573.45. In December, colleagues got into the festive spirit by supporting the\u00a0<\/span>Christmas Joy Campaign<\/span><\/b>, and, with support from our valued suppliers, they had the opportunity to win exciting prizes through the\u00a0<\/span>OCS Big Prize Draw<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The amazing OCS Fleet team completed the\u00a0<\/span>Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge<\/span><\/b>, covering 24 miles and testing endurance, teamwork, and resilience; many colleagues hosted\u00a0<\/span>Bakes and Brews coffee mornings<\/span><\/b>, whilst the Private FM team hosted a triumphant\u00a0<\/span>Charity Golf Day<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The OCS Catering team<\/a> raised \u00a316,354.00, <\/span>through dedicated fundraising activities and colleague support.\u00a0Throughout\u00a0the year, the foundation has received\u00a0wonderful\u00a0support from our suppliers and customers including prizes and donations<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, these events have helped build momentum behind the Foundation\u2019s first year and created opportunities for colleagues to support causes that matter to them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\"Irish<\/p>\n

Supporting Young People Through the Irish Youth Foundation<\/h3>\n

Funding from the OCS Foundation will support the Irish Youth Foundation Bursary Programme<\/a>, helping young people access opportunities that financial hardship may otherwise prevent them from accessing.<\/p>\n

The bursaries provide practical support, including books, laptops, equipment, course fees, transport costs, apprenticeship tools, and wellbeing support linked to education or training.<\/p>\n

The programme focuses on helping young people continue their education, access apprenticeships, and build pathways into employment and long-term opportunities.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\"Scotty's<\/p>\n

Helping bereaved families through Scotty’s Little Soldiers<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Foundation will also support <\/span>Scotty’s Little Soldiers<\/a> and its <\/span>SMILES respite breaks programme<\/a> for bereaved military children and surviving parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2025, 349 children and surviving parents benefited from respite breaks at holiday lodges across the UK. Nearly all families reported improvements in communication, belonging, and connection following their stay, while more than half said they would not have been able to afford a break without support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each family break costs around \u00a31,000, while the annual running cost of a lodge is approximately \u00a315,000. Funding raised through the Foundation will help more families access time together in a safe and supportive environment during periods of grief and recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\"Teenage<\/p>\n

Supporting Young People Living with Cancer Through Specialist Care<\/span><\/h3>\n

The OCS Foundation is also supporting the <\/span>Teenage Cancer Trust Emotional Support Programme<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The programme helps young people manage the emotional and practical impact of cancer through specialist Youth Support Coordinators who work alongside clinical teams.<\/span><\/p>\n

Support includes helping young people rebuild confidence, return to education or work, adjust to life after treatment, and connect with others facing similar experiences through activities, discussions, and social events.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\"Brighten<\/p>\n

Creating Opportunities Through Music and Youth Development<\/span><\/h3>\n

Funding will also support <\/span>Brighten the Corners<\/a> and its <\/span>New Gen programme<\/a> in Suffolk.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Gen is a year-long youth-led music programme that combines creative development with youth work support. Across 30 sessions, young people develop confidence, communication skills, and progression pathways through music and creative activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The programme reaches a diverse group of young people, including neurodivergent participants, ESOL learners, and young people from underrepresented communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

By creating inclusive opportunities and supportive environments, the programme helps young people build confidence, develop new skills, and strengthen social connections.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\n \u201cWhat a first year it has been! We always knew that the first year would help us learn, gauge interest and importantly, find the best ways to support our partners. I have been delighted with the willingness of our colleagues, suppliers and customers to get behind the OCS Foundation. We have much to look forward to in year two with lots to get involved in. Most of all we are looking forward to seeing the direct impact in our local communities.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n \"avatar\"\n
\n \n Nikki Brown<\/svg>\n <\/a>\n

\n Head of the OCS Foundation <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Looking Ahead<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0past\u00a0year has been shaped by the commitment, generosity, and energy of colleagues across the business.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every fundraiser, challenge, donation, and event\u00a0will\u00a0contribute towards practical support that will have a lasting difference for individuals, families, and communities in 2026 and beyond.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you to everyone who\u00a0continues to support\u00a0the Foundation,\u00a0including our Champions, fundraising teams, partners, suppliers, and colleagues across OCS.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The OCS Foundation was built on the belief that\u00a0collective\u00a0action can create lasting change. As the Foundation continues to grow, so will its ability to support more people, strengthen more communities, and create more opportunities for those who need them most.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\n \n \n \"Learn\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Learn More About the OCS Foundation <\/h2>\n \n\n OCS Foundation <\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn how the OCS Foundation is supporting communities, creating opportunities and helping young people through fundraising and partnerships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":10000021873,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,404],"tags":[52,321],"country":[237,267],"class_list":["post-45141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-ocs-foundation","tag-community","tag-ocs-foundation","country-ireland","country-uk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe OCS Foundation: Making a Difference Together - OCS - UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how the OCS Foundation is supporting communities, creating opportunities and helping young people through fundraising and partnerships.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/news\/the-ocs-foundation-making-a-difference-together\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The OCS Foundation: Making a Difference Together\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how the OCS Foundation is supporting communities, creating opportunities and helping young people through fundraising and partnerships.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/news\/the-ocs-foundation-making-a-difference-together\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OCS - 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