over 25,000 products
In-house branding
Your Own account team
Own van deliveries

The social side

OUR PEOPLE & COMMUNITIES

At SMI, we are dedicated to making a meaningful difference by fostering inclusion, celebrating diversity, and supporting our communities.

Our approach is built around four pillars: enriching lives, protecting biodiversity, supporting future generations, and tackling homelessness.

Through local initiatives and wider efforts, we aim to create lasting positive change for people, communities, and the planet.

Join the SMI team

life at smi

8.4 employee engagement score

We are committed to creating a supportive and engaging workplace.

Here’s how we listen, learn, and improve:

Values Nomination Scheme: We recognise team members who demonstrate our core values.
Staff Meetings: Weekly and quarterly all-staff meetings keep everyone informed, connected, and engaged.
Exit Interviews: We gather feedback from leavers to identify opportunities to improve the employee experience.
New Starter Feedback Surveys: We check in at 30 and 60 days to understand and improve the onboarding experience.
Quarterly Employee Engagement Surveys: We gather regular feedback to understand our team’s needs and improve our workplace culture.

CHARITY & VOLUNTEERING

In 2024, SMI proudly supported local and global causes through:

280 volunteer hours for social and environmental initiatives.
Raising £2,672.63 for The Rosemary Foundation.
Donated 18 boxes of clothing and bedding to LifeHouse Portsmouth for the homeless and attended two breakfast mornings.
Annual beach clean completed.

Ongoing contributions include:

£169,992 donated to The Grace Trust, supporting 450+ charities globally.

The 3 pillars of social value

Employee Wellbeing

We focus on fostering a diverse and inclusive workspace, where all our workforce are truly respected, and our differences are celebrated.
We support our employees and are committed to offering training opportunities, team-building events and promoting employee engagement and improving communication.
All employees are part of our recognition schemes including the 'Spin to win' celebrations, SMI's employee of the year award, and our quarterly ESG champions.
SMI recognises that we have a responsibility to our people - our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides support and advice 24/7 to all our employees.
All staff have access to all policies and procedures through our SMI Directory and online HR platform.

case studies

ENRICHING LIVES

At the heart of our strategy lies a commitment to creating a meaningful change and by fostering connections, empowering individuals, and investing in resources that matter, we aim to enrich lives across communities.

Since 2023, we have been proud to support the Rosemary Foundation, a vital organisation dedicated to providing quality end-of-life care to local residents of Petersfield and supporting their families during challenging times.
SMI are also raising awareness and funds for Support Dogs, a remarkable organisation that transforms lives by training and providing assistance dogs for children and adults affected by autism, epilepsy, and physical disabilities. Their work not only empowers individuals but also brings renewed hope and independence to families.
The Cambridge Acorn Project provides therapeutic services for children, young people, and families who have experienced trauma and are facing financial hardship. This year, SMI is proud to respond to the charities appeal for partners willing to share their expertise to enhance their messaging. We are particularly eager to support their efforts by offering assistance with social media and website development, helping the charity to amplify their voice and reach more families in need.

TACKLING HOMELESSNESS

SMI has successfully hosted several clothes swap parties at our head office in recent years, encouraging the reduction of fast fashion and promoting sustainability. All remaining items from these events are donated to LifeHouse, a Southampton-based charity supporting the homeless community.
Building on this initiative, SMI will now also donate clothing, blankets, and other essential resources to Lifeshare, a Manchester-based organisation dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
On the first Wednesday of every month, SMI volunteers dedicate their time at LifeHouse, cooking breakfast for the local community. This initiative not only provides a warm meal but also offers a chance for meaningful conversation and advice to those in need, fostering connection and support for individuals facing homelessness.
In October, SMI will participate in a SleepOut event, raising awareness for the challenges faced by the homeless community. This initiative also provides an opportunity for our employees to connect, build relationships, and reflect on the importance of supporting those in need.

SUPPORTING FUTURE GENERATIONS

SMI is dedicated to supporting the next generation by fundraising for local and national schools in deprived areas or those providing exceptional services for children with special needs.
Our volunteers actively participate in local schools' mock interview weeks, offering guidance and advice to help students develop essential employability skills.
Recognising our global responsibilities, SMI aligns its efforts with International Day of Education by sponsoring two children through Children on the Edge, a child rights organisation supporting marginalised children in some of the world's most challenging situations.
Through SMI's financed offsetting projects, we are proud to support social initiatives that provide energy-efficient cookstoves and water filters in India. These projects not only promote environmental sustainability but also improve the health and well-being of communities by reducing harmful emissions and ensuring access to clean water.

SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecological balance, supporting agriculture, and ensuring the health of our air, water, and soil.

Over the past two years, SMI has made a significant contribution to global reforestation efforts, planting over 23,000 trees worldwide in partnership with Ecologi.
SMI has invested in various environmental projects, including the development of solar and wind farms in Asia.
Through our collaboration with Plastic Bank, we support local communities around the globe, where individuals can exchange plastic waste collected from ocean shorelines for meals, educational opportunities for their children, or financial support.
At SMI, we believe that social impact begins at home. We're actively involved in community gardens and charitable initiatives, including our partnership with Roots and Shoots. This organisation offers accessible, positive vocational and educational opportunities for young Londoners with an Education, Health, and Care Plan. Through the creation of safe, inspiring spaces that promote biodiversity in urban environments, we empower individuals to learn new skills, build confidence, and gain valuable work experience in order to prepare them for future employment.