At Buckley’s Bees, we’ve spent over 80 years listening to the hum of the hive. We’ve seen the seasons shift and the challenges mount for our native pollinators. Our mission has always been clear: to reverse the decline of the honeybee through education, sustainable breeding and holistic environmental management.
But we cannot do it alone. It takes visionary partners to turn the tide, which is why we are so proud to announce our recent collaboration with Softcat.
A Hive for Every Office: Softcat and Buckley’s Bees Partner for the Planet
In a significant commitment to environmental stewardship, Softcat has sponsored ten beehives – one to represent each of their regional offices. This isn’t just a badge on a website; it is a living, breathing investment in the UK’s biodiversity.
By sponsoring these colonies, Softcat is helping us bolster the population of native honeybees, ensuring that these “keystone species” continue to provide the essential pollination services that support one out of every three mouthfuls of food we eat.
“Working with likeminded companies like Softcat is wonderful. Individuals and businesses that share a passion for the good that bees do can truly create a catalyst for positive change.” — Emma Buckley, Director of Buckley’s Bees
Why Softcat Chose the Bees
For Softcat, this partnership aligns with their priority Sustainable Development Goals. As Rachel Moorthy, Softcat’s Sustainability Executive, rightly noted, bees are the perfect “biodiversity champions” because their impact is felt in every corner of the country.
Our partnership focuses on three key pillars:
- Ecological Health: Supporting ten colonies of home-bred honeybees.
- Scientific Research: Funding vital academic studies into the symbiotic relationship between soil fertility, plant health and bee vitality.
- Social Legacy: Creating engagement opportunities to pass the ancient trade of beekeeping on to the next generation.
More Than Just Honey
While the promise of “office honey” is a sweet perk, the real value lies in the “Bee Involved” philosophy. Through this sponsorship, Softcat employees gain:
- Direct Engagement: Opportunities to visit our apiary and see their bees in action.
- Education: A deeper understanding of how their specific hives are making a tangible difference in the local ecosystem.
- Visibility: A personalised plaque on each hive, marking their dedication to the environment.
A Message to the Business Community
You don’t need a sprawling garden or a rooftop garden to save the bees. If your business is unable to host a hive on-site, sponsorship offers a way to contribute to the survival of the species without the need for physical infrastructure.
As we look ahead through 2023 and beyond, we hope Softcat’s leadership inspires other organisations to recognise that protecting the honeybee isn’t just about saving an insect, it’s about securing the future of our food systems and our natural world.
Are you ready to bee the change? Join us at Buckley’s Bees as we continue our 80-year journey of protecting the heartbeat of our ecosystem.