The Importance of Charity Partnerships
For a business to truly benefit a community, it must not only provide goods and services, but also reach out to provide support. At Maki & Ramen, we truly believe in the power of community, and we strive to be a powerful force for positive change. This means more than simple financial donations. Anyone can write a cheque, but our commitment to our communities goes deeper than that. By actively engaging with and supporting a variety of charities, we have the honour and opportunity to amplify the incredible work these organisations are doing. By building up those in our community, we strengthen it, and create real, lasting change for the people who live here. More than just partnerships, our connection to our charity partners is in line with our core values, through commitments to making the world more compassionate, inclusive, and supportive.
Our Charity Partners
Maki & Ramen’s values of inclusivity and community engagement lead us to seek out many different charitable partners. The charities we support are diverse, yet are all working towards building stronger communities and a better world. Our charity partners include:
- The Proud Trust: Providing Support and Empowerment to LGBTQ+ Youth
At Maki & Ramen, we are passionately committed to creating safe, supportive spaces for young people in the LGBTQ+ community. Our collaboration with The Proud Trust is part of that commitment, as this organisation does more than just offer support to LGBTQ+ youth. In addition, they provide resources and a community, creating life-changing experiences through youth groups, training programs, and other community resources. The Proud Trust and Maki & Ramen share a vision for a more inclusive, compassionate society, where all people feel valued, seen, understood, and empowered to live their best, most authentic lives. - Thistle Foundation: Empowering Individuals to Strengthen Communities
In keeping with our ideals of inclusion and community support, we work with the Thistle Foundation, a charitable organisation with an innovative approach to helping people live the lives they choose, regardless of health challenges. Understanding that health goes beyond just medical treatment, the Thistle Foundation offers comprehensive support, helping to promote well-being and personal agency. This support, through person-centred programs, helps people build connections, grow in confidence, learn new skills, and lead fulfilling lives, on their own terms. - The Glasgow Care Foundation: Attending to Community Wellness
In November 2024, we launched an exciting new partnership with The Glasgow Care Foundation. Dedicated to holistic community well-being, this incredible organisation takes an innovative approach to addressing critical social care needs. Dedicated to providing comprehensive support systems, they focus on dignity, individual potential, and connection within the community. We are proud to work with a charity that so perfectly represents our commitment to supporting local communities and making a difference in people’s lives.
- Homeless Street Angels: Compassionate Warriors Fighting Homelessness
Another new partnership, launched in December of 2024, is with Homeless Street Angels, an organisation that provides comprehensive, dignified assistance to people experiencing homelessness, going beyond traditional homeless support. With a belief in seeing people, rather than simply circumstances, they do not just provide immediate shelter and support, but also help set people on the path to long-term stability, personal growth, and reintegration into the community. We seek to amplify this critical work, in the interest of helping to restore hope and break the cycles of homelessness by providing opportunity.
Maki & Ramen: Committed to Excellence, Always
Our charity partnerships are just one of the ways we strive to promote connection and embody excellence in all we do. Inspired by the ramen shops of Japan, Maki & Ramen was founded by Teddy Lee, our CEO, in 2015. With a background as a Chef, having studied in a sushi academy in Tokyo, he wanted to introduce high-quality ramen and sushi to our local communities. Today, we have seven other Asian restaurants as well, having extended our reach around the UK. Our team has one objective: to serve delicious, accessible, high-quality Asian food to members of our community. The strength of our community and our shared passion propels us forward, championing the joy and diversity of Japanese cuisine, promoting inclusivity in dining, as well as participating in outreach. Whether they prefer the comforting warmth of our signature Tonkotsu Ramen, or the refined simplicity of our high quality sushi, about 40,000 customers find something that caters to their palate every month. To join us on our culinary adventure, whether as a franchisee or a customer, drop by one of our locations, order online, or learn more about our franchises through our website.