A Tea-riffic day out at Yorkshire Tea

When you’re a self-confessed Yorkshire Tea enthusiast, an invitation to visit the Yorkshire Tea factory is an opportunity that’s simply too good to miss.

So when our wonderful partners at Bettys & Taylors Group invited Katherine, our Grants Coordinator, and Thomas, our Head of Grants for a behind-the-scenes tour, they jumped at the chance.

And what a day it was.

As you might expect, Katherine was blown away by the scale of the operation.

“You should have seen the tea machines and the whole process, with the bags being sealed, going into the boxes, and along the escalators, all in one smooth process.”

The technology, efficiency and sheer volume of production were certainly impressive. But what stood out most wasn’t the machinery. It was the people.

Throughout the factory, Katherine noticed the thought and care that had gone into creating a positive place to work. Huge windows allow natural daylight to flood the building, including an innovative roof window. Beautiful gardens and wild spaces give staff somewhere to enjoy their breaks, while free food and, of course, plenty of tea are available throughout each shift.

With just over 1000 people working across the site in Harrogate, Katherine and Thomas met many members of the team during their visit. Every person they spoke to shared the same feeling: they felt genuinely valued and cared for.

That commitment to people is something we recognise well.

Two Ridings has been proud to work alongside Bettys & Taylors Group and the Bettys & Taylors Family Fund for the past seven years. During that time, we have awarded more than £1.5 million in grants on behalf of the Group and the Family Fund, helping support communities and organisations across the region.

For Katherine and Thomas, the visit was a wonderful opportunity to see first-hand how the values that shape Bettys & Taylors’ charitable giving are reflected in the way they care for their employees every day.

And how did the visit end?

With lunch in the staff canteen.

And a cup of Yorkshire Tea, of course.