PART OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

Rural Matters expresses what H+H believes about the importance and future of rural life. Our community activity is one of the ways we put that belief into practice.

We support causes rooted in the areas where our people and customers live and work. Sometimes that means raising funds. Sometimes it means giving our time, expertise, facilities or voice. The aim is to make a useful contribution, shaped by what communities tell us they need.

Each year, H+H colleagues help choose a nominated charity that has meaning for our people and the communities around us.

The annual programme gives colleagues across H+H a shared cause to support through fundraising, volunteering and events. It also brings greater focus to individual efforts happening across our markets, offices and teams.

Our nominated charity for 2026 is Hospice UK. Our activity focuses on supporting hospice care close to the H+H locations and communities taking part.

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Much of H+H’s community contribution is driven by our people. Colleagues organise and take part in challenges such as the Great North Run, the Ullswater Way Walk, Gelt Gladiator and the Wooler Wheel, alongside local fundraising organised by individual teams.

H+H events, offices facilities and marts provide locations and platform for fundraising, helping colleagues, customers and visitors support causes together.

We want to make it easier for colleagues to turn their energy and ideas into action, while recognising the time, commitment and generosity involved.

Support is not only financial. Volunteer days and organised opportunities allow colleagues to contribute their time and practical skills to worthwhile organisations.

This has included volunteering with Growing Well, whose work brings together organic growing, purposeful activity and mental health support. Partnerships like this allow colleagues to make a direct contribution while learning more about challenges affecting people in our communities.

Farming and rural life can bring isolation, uncertainty and sustained pressure. H+H wants to support organisations that provide trusted, practical help and create more open conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

This includes fundraising and partnership activity with agricultural and rural charities, using our events and communications to signpost support, and helping important issues reach people who may otherwise be difficult to engage.

H+H is a partner in Nourish Cumbria, a collaboration developed to celebrate and strengthen the county’s farming and food economy.

Nourish Cumbria brings together organisations from agriculture, food, education, tourism and the public sector. It showcases the people, products and places behind Cumbria’s food story, while encouraging connections between producers, businesses, communities and visitors.

Our involvement reflects a wider commitment to helping rural businesses gain visibility, share knowledge and create new opportunities.

Borderway Agri Expo and Borderway UK Dairy Expo are important meeting places for the agricultural community. They bring together farmers, breeders, young people, businesses, societies and industry organisations from across the UK and beyond.

Alongside competition and commerce, the events create space for learning, debate, innovation, recognition and community fundraising. They allow H+H to celebrate excellence, support the next generation and put rural issues in front of industry leaders and decision-makers.

Our wider presence at agricultural shows and local events helps H+H stay close to the communities we serve and support the organisations that keep them connected.

H+H supports community organisations, rural charities, agricultural societies and local initiatives through sponsorship, partnership, facilities, promotion and practical help.

We want that support to be purposeful rather than a collection of disconnected activities. Over time, we will focus our community programme around clear Rural Matters priorities and report more consistently on the contribution made by H+H and its people.

We purposefully share stories from colleagues, charities and community partners, alongside the outcomes of fundraising, volunteering and partnership activity.

This is not about claiming credit for the work of others. It is about showing what can be achieved when people and communities pull together, recognising those who give their time and encouraging more people to take part.