Cosy

Through the Cosy Foundation, set up in 2011 to support grassroots childhood projects, Cosy makes an impact by supporting social causes via table-top sized charities and voluntary groups. We have committed more than £400,000 to supporting over 100 community projects. In 2023 alone, our work included:

  • Reaching over 2,000 local children, through grants provided to grassroots sports teams and local clubs, and donating gifts to local events to support our community.
  • Volunteering more than 2,000 hours, the equivalent of more than one full-staff member, in local settings, and supporting fundraising events.
  • Transforming lives through the funding of education in developing countries, specifically in Gambia, Kenya and Tanzania.
  • Sharing knowledge and encouraging educators through a range of innovative learning initiatives and careers support schemes.
  • Forging long-term partnerships, collaborating and promoting, charities and people.
  • Continuing our commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, beginning at Cosy HQ.

Beyond the Cosy Foundation, however, Cosy’s Board is supporting civic leadership through an ever-increasing range of trustee and advisory roles. These voluntary positions include:

  • Peter Ellse, CEO – Deputy Lieutenant, Derbyshire; Patron, Derby Kids’ Camp; Deputy Chair of Governors, Alfreton Nursery School; Adviser, Derby Business School, University of Derby.
  • Amanda Ellse, Non-Executive Director – Patron, Derby Kids’ Camp; Trustee, Derby Museums; Employment Advisory Board Member, Sudbury Prison.
  • Chris Ratcliffe, Sales and Marketing Director – Trustee, Derby Book Festival.
  • Laila Riggott, Head of People and Culture – Camp Leader, Derby Kids’ Camp.
  • Nicola Cheney, Early Years’ Specialist – Governor, Central Nursery School.

Peter Ellse, CEO of Cosy Direct, explained:

“We believe in investing in our people, providing them with unparalleled opportunities for growth – both personal and professional. As part of this ethos, we encourage our leadership team to apply for additional voluntary roles, which is useful for them, supporting with transferable skills, and beneficial to the company. This has obviously got to fit with their own development, but it is good for everybody to do.

“As a result, we have trustees or advisors on museums, book festivals, prisons, lieutenancies, schools and universities, meaning we are freely sharing our knowledge and experience with those who most need it. In addition, we continue to play a major role in regionally-important fundraising events, including SkegVegas 100, which this year raised £58,000 for two local children’s holiday charities, and through the Big Help Out project through which we gave over 800 volunteering hours, positively impacting the lives of over 2,500 children. All Cosy employees have three paid days of volunteering time a year.

“We are so proud of our work individually and collectively, but there is of course more we want to do.”