Corporate Social Responsibility

Roke's "Next Generation" programme sets out to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists through direct contact with experts developing exciting new technology. Roke's Next Generation team have won the England Solent Skills Quest “Amazing People Award 2009”. This is a clear demonstration of the excellent work in local schools and colleges by staff across Roke.

Science and Engineering Day - March 2009

These projects have included sponsoring the Hampshire Solar Challenge, where primary school children built and raced solar power cars, to mentoring college students on the Engineering Education Scheme (EES) run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and supplying a complete HF amateur radio station to Intech - an educational charity run by the Hampshire Technology Centre.

We have built a strong relationship with the Quilley School of Engineering in Eastleigh where we have used one of our products (HALO) to illustrate the practical aspects of electronic engineering in a workshop which challenges and excites the students about science.

All engineers taking part in Next Generation do this partly in their own time whilst fully supported by Roke. They are encouraged to sign up to the Science and Engineering Ambassador Programme and undertake regular training in best practice with working with children in schools, such as offered at Cambridge University and by the Institute of Physics.

Roke's Caring Hands programme relates to the volunteering and social giving projects we support. Each Year Roke focuses on a local charity to become Roke's Charity of the Year. Roke's Caring Hands programme of fundraising activities is led by direct staff involvement and Roke aims to build a strong links with the charity through financial and non-financial help in order to make a real difference to the local community.

Charity of the Year 2011 - Naomi House

Naomi House is the Charity of the Year 2011. Naomi House has been caring for life limited youngsters and their families for over 12 years. The hospice opened in1997 since then 580 children have been cared for who have life limiting illnesses or are terminally ill. Thanks to medical advance the life expectancy of many children with life-limiting illnesses has grown and some live to become young adults. A new hospice for young people - jacksplace has been built alongside Naomi House. It is one of only four dedicated hospices for young people in the country. Naomi House is part of the community; built and funded by local people for local families to use free of charge. Roke is aiming to raise enough funds to either provide: one child's typical respite stay, one nurses care for 6 months or 190 hydrotherapy sessions.

• Roke Selects Naomi House as their Charity of the Year for 2011

Charity of the Year 2010 - Romsey Family Support Group

The Romsey Family Support Group was the Charity of the Year 2010. The group is for parents of pre-school children, from birth to four years, who may be experiencing a difficult time and in need of friendship and support. Roke raised £12,186 which helped the charity in so many ways including: providing a first aid course for young mothers, supported the vital running costs of the charity and provided new toys for the crèche and also provided non-financial support in website design, logo design, donations of toys and presents and fundraising support.

• Roke Presents Cheque to Romsey Family Support Group

Charity of the Year 2009 - Romsey Opportunity Group

The Romsey Opportunity Group was the Caring Hands Charity of the Year 2009. The Romsey Opportunity Group gives support and play opportunities to children with additional needs from birth to school age.

Roke raised £14,166 to help buy a much needed playground for the Romsey Opportunity Group.

• Roke Supports Romsey Opportunity Group with £9.5k Charitable Donation
• Roke Directors Get Covered in Gunge for their Charity of the Year – The Romsey Opportunity Group

Charity of the Year 2008 - Romsey Young Carers Project

The Romsey Young Carers Project received over £12,000 due to fund raising efforts by staff and matching by Roke. Non-financial help included: designing the logo for the charity, help with Christmas party, toys, clothes and new volunteers to help with the charity.

Charitable Donations

We have previously donated to Children in Need, Honeypot, Care for Casualties and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

A number of local initiatives continue to benefit from our support, especially those that are focused on children and young or disadvantaged people, or where our employees are actively involved.