Brackmills Heroes: Meet Claire Bowers & Carmel Haigh
When Claire and Carmel joined forces to support community initiatives they had no idea their efforts would earn them recognition as Brackmills Heroes.
The duo have been instrumental in driving environmental and charitable activities across the estate. From organising litter picks to coordinating winter coat collections, their commitment to community engagement has made a real difference on Brackmills.
Their motivation stems from working for a company that truly walks the talk when it comes to social responsibility. Bechtle, which employs 15,000 people across 14 countries, operates on the principle of ‘act local, work global’, and Claire and Carmel have embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly.
“We are very fortunate to be employed by a company that is committed to contributing to our local community,” they explain. Through Bechtle’s Sustainability Squads, established at each UK office, the pair help organise charity and community projects including litter picks around all offices and warehouses.
Their involvement in initiatives like World Clean Up Day has allowed them to connect with the wider Brackmills community. “It’s an opportunity to work with our neighbouring businesses and encourage more staff to get involved too,” they say.
For Claire and Carmel, looking after the estate isn’t just about keeping it tidy. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels safe and welcome. “We spend a large amount of time in our work environment, it is important to feel safe and offer that same feeling to staff and visitors who are entering your workplace,” they note.
Their engagement with Brackmills BID has proved invaluable, helping them connect with like-minded individuals who share their vision for a thriving community. “By sharing best practices or advice, we can all help our workplace and the community to thrive,” they add.
One initiative close to their hearts was the winter coat collection. When they heard about the appeal from West Northants Council, they sprang into action, setting up a coat rail in their reception and inviting colleagues and other local businesses to donate unwanted coats. The response was overwhelming, with even their postman getting involved. They proudly delivered over 30 coats to those in need last winter.
Their charitable work hasn’t stopped there. They’ve also supported Project 16:15, a local homeless charity, with donations of shoes, trainers, sleeping bags and tents, and they hope to support both charities again this year.
Looking ahead, the Bechtle Sustainability Squad continues to seek out meaningful ways for colleagues to utilise their volunteer days. Beyond community litter picking, team members have volunteered at the local bike park clearing vegetation and pathways, and at an animal shelter helping to maintain premises and care for animals. Their charity cake sales have become particularly popular, giving budding bakers the chance to showcase their skills whilst raising money for their charities of the year.
When asked what they’d say to other Brackmills businesses considering getting involved, their message is clear and simple: “The Brackmills BID is a great resource for our estate and maintaining our community, we would encourage any local businesses to reach out and get involved.”
Reflecting on their Brackmills Hero nomination, Claire and Carmel remain characteristically modest. “We feel incredibly proud to be nominated as Brackmills Heroes, our achievements have been made possible due to the sustainability goals from our company and the support from our wonderful Sustainability Squad, enabling us to contribute to our local community.”
Their story is a testament to what can be achieved when individuals step up, when businesses support community engagement, and when a shared commitment to making a difference brings people together. Claire and Carmel aren’t just making Brackmills cleaner and greener – they’re helping to build the kind of community where everyone wants to work and thrive.
