Many of us have been having to make do with different types of celebrations for our special anniversaries these days, mainly influenced by Covid 19. Here at BRAG we are no different as three years ago today we were proud to have become a living wage employer. Normally we would have done something visual to celebrate as a team. Sadly, due to the crisis we have been unable to do so as much has changed since then. We have had to become an almost completely remote workforce delivering our vital enterprise and employability services to clients across Fife, Tayside and Forth Valley via telephone, email, skype, zoom, video whilst also interacting with each other via Microsoft teams.  

In reality, very little has changed in the work environment as people still need our help, however we do all share the fact that we are dearly missing the face to face contact that we all took for granted not so long ago.  

That said, not all BRAG staff are working remotely. We have teams in Levenmouth helping Fife Council’s Communities team with their coronavirus emergency food distribution service. In Crosshill our own Community Development Team & volunteers have taken on the mammoth task of setting up the pantry@brag; a coronavirus emergency food parcel service which will eventually evolve into a low-cost community food initiative.  

Our MD Brian Robertson-Fern (pictured) is proud of the Living wage status and when speaking of being a living wage employer he said: “ We are a people led organisation where supporting other people is core to what we do and who we do it to. I’m proud to continue as an accredited Living Wage employer as it serves as a reminder to everyone to show what people mean to us”. 

All in all, it’s been a very busy year with lots of changes and challenges, but teamwork makes the dream work as they say! To find out more about living wage accreditation in Scotland click here.