Category Archives: Charity & CSR

Careers, Charity & CSR, Job Opportunities, Jobs, Midlands News, News

Businesses invited to secure their spot to hire new employees in Herefordshire

Award-winning supported employment and training charity, Landau, is organising its second Hereford job fair to help even more people across the county into work.

Following the success of its first Hereford jobs fair in October 2021, the charity is hosting a larger spring event at the Shell Store in Rotherwas on Wednesday, April 27.

The free event will bring together national, regional, and local organisations that are actively recruiting, as well as providing job seekers with support and advice on their search.

Caroline Richardson, head of employment services at Landau, said: “We’re inviting businesses who want to exhibit at the jobs fair and showcase their vacancies to job seekers to register their interest as soon as possible.

“We know the past few years have been challenging and this positive, inclusive event will bring together a range of businesses across Herefordshire. Alongside the jobs fair, we will also be incorporating a networking session so that those exhibiting can share details and opportunities with other organisations too.”

The free event is being delivered in partnership with The Marches Growth Hub, Hereford Enterprise Zone and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and will begin with the business networking session at 10am. Doors will open to the public to meet potential employers at 12noon, and registration to exhibit or attend is free to everyone.

Caroline added: “The jobs fair that we held in October was hugely successful — with over 580 vacancies promoted at the event and a significant proportion of people finding employment as a result. We hope the spring edition will be just as popular with employers and job seekers alike.”

Each year Landau supports in the region of 3,000 individuals back into the workplace or into training schemes through its specialist support. Last year it was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its work in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).

Companies interested in exhibiting at the event can secure their spot for free by contacting Landau’s employment engagement officer Karina Cullen on 07719555178 or by emailing karina.cullen@landau.co.uk.

Charity & CSR, Midlands News, News

Pizza company searching for 2022 charity partner

A West Midlands business is searching for a charity partner for 2022, after raising thousands for children’s charity Barnardo’s in 2021.

Artisan pizza company Birtelli’s supported children’s charity Barnardo’s Christmas campaign Kidsmas, generating £5,000 and delivering early Christmas cheer to children and families supported by Barnardo’s.

Now the business is looking for a West Midlands-based charity which it will support through fundraising in 2022.

Jim Biryah, co-founder of Leamington Spa-based Birtelli’s which delivers pizza kits across the UK explains why fundraising for charities is a key part of the pizza company’s ethos.

He said: “We’re a new and growing business, but our mission is all about striving for a happier, better world.

“While we can bring moments of happiness and wellbeing to people’s homes with our pizzas and pizza kits, we’re committed to go beyond pizza and help make a tangible difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families or those who find themselves in need of a little support.

“Our partnership with Barnardo’s raised significant funds, that will make a huge difference to the lives of children and families the charity helps, and it’s made us determined to continue this work in 2022 and beyond.

“Now we’re looking for a new charity partner who we can support through fundraising and delivering moments of happiness to people’s lives.

“For 2022 we’re looking for a West Midlands-based charity, whose staff and the people they support, might also enjoy a pizza slice or two!

“We want to raise funds and provide support to help care for people, children and those who are less fortunate in our region.”

Birtelli’s two-month campaign with Barnardo’s included the delivery of home-grown produce-based pizza kits, including a special Christmas pizza, to help people and families spend time together, and enjoy the simple art of making and eating a pizza together.

Among those people who benefitted were staff and volunteers in the West Midlands who’ve worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, young people in Warwickshire living with families under Barnardo’s Supported Lodgings Service, and an 11-year-old young carer who has spent most of her life helping care for her younger siblings.

Aoibheann Doherty, community fundraising manager at Barnardo’s said: “The partnership with Birtelli’s really helped with our annual Kidsmas campaign and we’re so grateful for the support.

“Christmas time can be a fantastic time for many children, but for some children living in poverty or living in social isolation it can bring many challenges.

“Birtelli’s helped us inject some joy into Christmas last year, for both the children we care for and as a thank you to our own colleagues and volunteers who have worked so hard over the last 18 months.”

The partnership with Barnardo’s was a first for Birtelli’s, but Jim hopes it’ll be the first of many charity affiliations.

Jim added: “We’re determined to continue making a positive impact across the region for people who need help the most.

“We know just how much fundraising helps people, which is why we’re already searching for our next charity partner.

“In 2022 we hope that we can put the pandemic firmly behind us and raise even more money for charities.”

Charities who are interested in partnering with Birtelli’s should jim@birtellis.co.uk.

Charity & CSR

Mystery Illness Leaves Horror Film Director Bedbound and Facing Eviction from Swansea Home

Once described as ‘one of the UK’s most prolific indepedent  horror film Directors’, Swansea’s Andrew Jones has gone from creating independent horror films to facing his own nightmares after being struck with a  rare life-threatening adrenal condition known as Cushing’s Syndrome which has left him bedbound and facing eviction as the couple have lost their income and are now relying on benefits.

Andrew is a popular film producer, screenwriter, director, and editor.  He founded North Bank Entertainment aged just 27, and has an established track record of commercially successful titles. Up until 2020, Andrew had produced 29 independent feature films including the popular Robert the Doll series, but having already been struggling after productions were put on hold during covid, Andrew was tragically struck with a sudden illness in 2020 which has prevented him from working and left him bed bound.

With little financial help available, and no income, Andrew and his producer wife, Sharron are crowdfunding in the hope of getting help, as they face the prospect of being evicted from their home, and also need to fund private treatment for Andrew as NHS resources are so limited.

Sharron explains:

“The benefits we receive are not enough to cover the rent, bills, or food let alone the additional life-saving private healthcare treatments Andrew now needs if he is to fully recover and resume his film-making career.

“The added stresses of the eviction notice has seen Andrew’s already dampened spirits impacted further, and while I am caring for him full time I have no income either.  I am hoping that by raising funds, we can secure enough money to provide somewhere safe for us to live while Andrew recovers, and pay for the treatment he needs.

“The treatments for Cushing’s Syndrome are invasive surgeries, radiotherapy, and a lifetime of toxic medications with adverse side effects which would prevent Andrew from returning to the career he loves. However, significant, natural treatments and protocols are a realistic option but would have to be paid for privately.

“Andrew is weak and exhausted, he has muscle atrophy in his arms and legs so cannot currently walk or use a wheelchair and he is bedridden.  He will need extensive rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and chiropractic and also we need to find new accommodation as, apart from the eviction notice, our current home is unsuitable anyway and we need to find .a ground floor home with good wheelchair access and a level access shower, so Andrew can work towards using a wheelchair until he is able to walk again.  The Council has very limited housing stock due to the current housing demand caused by the Covid Pandemic and knock-on economic situation with over 200,000 currently being evicted in the UK. The Council also will not house you till you actually become homeless, which is not an option for Andrew in this vulnerable condition. A truly catch 22 situation.”

“The professional healing team, ready to help, are confident that 12 months is what he needs to heal, and so we need 12 months of living and treatment costs raised. This will allow Andrew to ONLY focus on healing, and then getting back to what he does best – we have tried every other avenue and are hoping that the love, support and kindness of Andrew’s film fans, who have always been so supportive of his work, will enable them to make a small contribution to help aid his recovery so he can get back to making the films they love as soon as possible.

The couple have set up a funding page here: https://fundrazr.com/AndrewJ-Healing-Journey?ref=sh_9B2Es7_ab_1Wb9Crpdm4i1Wb9Crpdm4i

There is also a Telegram and a FaceBook group you can join for updates, support, and anything else that contributes to helping Andrew heal.

Telegram Group https://t.me/+Fdu86gwW6Sk4NTA8

FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1667269696966094

 

Charity & CSR, Midlands News, News, North of England, Sport

Ramathon is back for 2022 with a brand-new title sponsor

Runners will be back on the streets of Derby on Sunday 19th June, for the newly named Derbion Ramathon and RAM 5 Mile.

Derby’s best-loved retail destination, Derbion, has announced today (01 March) that it will be joining forces with Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All to become the title sponsor of one of the region’s biggest charity road runs.

The Derbion Ramathon and the RAM 5 Mile will see 4,000 people take part across both events, in order to raise tens of thousands of pounds for local good causes.

Working in partnership with Derbion, Run For All is looking to increase community engagement in the event, with the all-new Derbion Ramathon Team Challenge, which will see teams of colleagues, running buddies and friends battle it out to be crowned champions.

The team challenge will be open to teams of four or more to each take on the full half marathon distance, in the hope of being the fastest team of 2022.

Both the half marathon and five-mile course will start and end on Iron Gate, in the shadows of the Cathedral before taking runners through the city centre. The Ramathon will then see runners pass through Elvaston Castle Country Park, Alvaston Park and past Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium and back to the city centre for the big finish.

Adam Tamsett, general manager at Derbion, said: ”We’re extremely proud to support the Ramathon and to be officially announced as the new title sponsor, as the races really do bring the city of Derby together. We’re looking forward to seeing all those taking part at the starting line in June!”

Tristan Batley-Kyle, head of events at Run For All, said: “Having the support of Derbion is a fantastic way to start the year. The centre is at the heart of the city and together we will work to engage and inspire people to pull on their trainers, and take part in one of the events this year.

“It was great to see a team from Derbion take part in the event last year and for their enthusiasm and passion for the event mean they now wish to be intrinsically linked to the Ramathon by becoming our title partners.”

For those wanting to be part of the 5-mile distance, you must be 15 years or over to enter, and for those wanting to tackle the half marathon, you must 17 years or older.

For more information and to enter, please visit www.runforall.com.

Charity & CSR, News

YMCA Together Names Best Charity To Work For In The UK

YMCA Together has been named the Best Charity to work for in the UK at the inaugural Best Companies Live virtual event 2022.

The prestigious accolade was awarded to the Liverpool based charity, which provides 109,500 bed spaces annually across the region, after it was recognised as an organisation that ‘truly excels, with world class levels of workplace engagement’.

Broadcasted live from Media City in Salford by TV presenter Dan Walker, YMCA Together were also crowned the 8th Best Company to work for in the UK in the mid-sized organisations category, which featured the very best organisations across all sectors locally, regionally and nationally.

Chief Executive of YMCA Together Ellie McNeil said: “We are delighted to have been named the Best Charity to work for in the UK, especially given that there are so many fantastic and highly respected charity organisations also on the list. Our teams have been amazing throughout a difficult couple of years and this accolade shows that together we have looked after everyone’s wellbeing.

“Last year marked the 175th anniversary of our founding and saw the organisation honoured by Liverpool City Council with the Freedom of the City. It was such a big year with so much positive news, despite the impact of the pandemic, and it drove home just how fortunate we are to be able to keep delivering vital services to our communities.”

The Best Companies Live event attracted an estimated viewership of 55,000 people and was streamed live on a specially designed platform. The day featured a full programme of discussion and conversation on subjects including Wellbeing, Giving Something Back, Leadership, Personal Growth and The Future of The Workplace.

The awards use a multi-step model to determine its annual scores and accreditations as part of a rigorous and thorough process that includes a staff-wide survey and analysis.

Ellie added: “YMCA Together is a truly value driven organisation – an organisation that is committed to being the best possible employer and in turn, when our teams are happy, they can provide the best possible care and support to the people we work alongside. This award is dedicated to our teams, for their kindness, tenacity and commitment to being the best they can be.”

Charity & CSR, News, Property, Social Housing

Social and Sustainable Capital seeks housing charities in Southwest England to benefit from new £125m housing fund

According to Shelter[i], one in 206 people are homeless in England and every region has its own issues. Bristol recorded the second highest number of street homeless nationally at the 2020 national Rough Sleeper Street count and was one of two cities outside London with the highest number of people in temporary accommodation. Gloucester and Torbay rank behind Bristol with the highest rates of homeless in the Southwest.

Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC), an award-winning social investment firm, which specialises in investments in charities and social enterprises involved in housing wants to help social sector organisations to address these challenges.

This spring, SASC is launching a new £125m housing fund – Social and Sustainable Housing II (SASH II) – and seeking borrowers in southwest England.

A particular focus are charities in this region involved in homelessness, domestic violence, or work with asylum seekers, young people, and those with addiction or mental health issues.

This will be SASC’s second housing fund which was designed in partnership with charities to meet their specific financial needs.

SASH I raised almost £75m and, so far, has provided £50m of secured loans to 16 UK housing charities. This has turned many of these social sector organisations into property owners for the first time and increased their financial resilience by putting over 625 beds into their ownership.

In March, SASC’s Business Development Manager, Miki Vyse, will spend two week touring the Southwest to find new borrowers.

Miki wants to meet with charities working in housing, housing associations, local MPs, support services organisations and other interested parties to discuss the new fund, how it works, and the benefits it could offer social sector organisations in the region.

 

Miki Vyse says, “With the launch of SASH II this spring, we want to engage charities and social enterprises in the Southwest who want to increase their provision of safe, quality homes and support for the vulnerable people they serve.

“I am really looking forward to touring the Southwest in early March starting in Bath and Bristol. I will be attending The Bath Sleep-Out organised by Julian House in Alice Park on Friday 4th March and will be raising money for the charity and meeting with the organisers. I will then move on to Plymouth on 15th March, then Cornwall and finally Exeter.”

“Our intention has always been to spread the fund across the UK and support organisations from a range of sectors and a range of localities. The Southwest is expansive region with a diverse population and homelessness is a major issue for cities like Bristol and rural areas including in Cornwall – we are looking forward to engaging with organisations right across the region.”

 

If you are a charity interested in finding out more about social investment and would like to arrange a meeting Miki Vyse, please contact her on: miki@socialandsustainable.com

For more information about SASC and how to apply for funding visit: www.socialandsustainable.com.

[i] The shocking scale of homelessness in England | Shelter

Charity & CSR, News

What you need to know if you are setting up a new charity

Running a charity is one of the most rewarding ventures as you commit your time and effort to making the lives of other people better.

There are plenty of personal benefits to running a charity, including meeting new people, feeling a sense of self-worth and doing something that you have a vested interest in.

The number of charities in the UK has been steadily rising so now appears to be as good a time as any to get involved.

Quite a lot goes into getting a new charitable organisation off the ground, so here are the main things you’ll want to consider.

Decide your purposes and structure

How your charity will be set up is the vital first step. Whether you refer to a purpose an objective or a mission, clearly defining what your charity is going to do and who it is going to help goes a long way.

Secondly, will you appoint trustees to run the charity or will you invite members to join and have a say in the activities of the charity? Similarly, will you decide to establish your charity as an incorporated organisation? Doing so can be a more complicated process but can strengthen your charity’s ability to make a difference.

Find trustees that share your passion

No matter the structure of your organisation you will need to appoint trustees.

These people should always look out for the best interests of the charity as well as ensuring that it is operating in an effective and legal way. Appointing at least one trustee with experience of the process is just as important as recruiting those who have a connection to your charity’s mission.

Research the financial side of things

Fundraising is the lifeblood of just about any charity as money can help to provide equipment or provisions for those that you are trying to help out.

Accounting is very important for charities and handling that side of things can be tricky as strict laws apply. Finding specialised charity solicitors to help with the legal side of things can make this process go much more smoothly.

Get registered

Once you have everything in place, it’s time to get your charity registered. Once registered with the Charity Commission you will be able to begin activities and start making a crucial difference in the lives of people who need it the most.

Charity & CSR, News, North of England, Telecoms

Fibre broadband provider 4th Utility signs first ever charity partnership as ambitious fundraising plans announced

 Manchester-based fibre broadband provider 4th Utility has signed a major deal with an organisation helping unemployed women find jobs.

It’s the first ever charity partnership for 4th Utility, a supplier of ultrafast connectivity to homes and businesses across the UK, and it has been agreed with fellow city region-based Smart Works Greater Manchester.

As a corporate partner, 4th Utility has committed to raising a minimum of £10,000 in 2022 for the charity, which supports women throughout their employment journey, including in-person and online pre-employment coaching and interview styling.

Since launching in 2015, Smart Works Greater Manchester has been working to deliver its mission and vision to help more women get into the workplace.

It has delivered more than 3,000 appointments with the aim helping women build interview techniques and allowing them to be their best at crucial moments in life, instilling confidence, self-belief and practical skills. The charity also provides workwear and accessories for the women it supports, taking in clothing donations from the public. Smart Works Greater Manchester says 70% of the women it has supported have successfully secured employment.

4th Utility was established in 2017, and works with residential and commercial landlords, property developers and house builders to install and upgrade properties with full fibre connectivity.

The new corporate partnership announced today will also see 4th Utility staff take part in various projects planned throughout the year, including volunteering days supporting Smart Works Greater Manchester in Stockport town centre.

On the partnership announcement, Tony Hughes, CEO of 4th Utility, said: “Our team was truly inspired by what the Smart Works Greater Manchester team does, and their sizeable ambitions meant they were a perfect fit to become our first ever charity partner.

“So many women across Greater Manchester have been disproportionately and negatively impacted by the pandemic, meaning the charity’s services are needed now more than ever.

“We hope to make a significant contribution to the efforts of a fellow Greater Manchester-based organisation and look forward to helping with their programme of exciting projects planned throughout the year.”

Jan Iceton, Chair of Smart Works Greater Manchester, said: “We are delighted to have 4th Utility on board as a new corporate partner – they share our commitment to giving back into the Greater Manchester community and have the skills and resources to make a significant impact on the success of our organisation.

“As we enter into a period of much more active recruitment, with a long-term partner like 4th Utility on board, we can take advantage of the jobs market by supporting even more unemployed women to ‘get the clothes, get the confidence, get the job’.”

Smart Works Greater Manchester said its services are now vital to ensuring the country builds back better across communities, enabling women to take advantage of the resurgence in employment now seen across the board. The charity helps to make sure they are ready to apply for roles and that they succeed at interview.

Ms Iceton added: “At the beginning of 2021, to support our growth objective, we set ourselves a target to secure five corporate partners by the end of the year and we are thrilled that 4th Utility now joins Timetastic, Trinnovo Group, Ingeus and Energize to make that a reality.

“Working with 4th Utility will make a real difference to Smart Works Greater Manchester and its vital service delivery, helping to fund our activities, raise awareness of what we do and, ultimately, improve the employment outcomes for many women across our region.”

For more information about 4th Utility, visit https://the4thutility.co.uk/

Charity & CSR, News

Pegasus Group raises £16,000 for homeless charity

Generous fundraisers at Pegasus Group have reached the £16,000 mark in an incredible team effort of bake offs, keep fit challenges and raffles.

Despite Covid lockdowns and continued restrictions, Pegasus staff proved they were committed to raising as much money as possible for homeless charity Shelter by coming up with some creative initiatives.

Shelter was named Pegasus Charity of the Year in 2000, but when Covid curtailed so many fundraising plans they remained the chosen charity for 2021.

Shelter helps people struggling with bad housing or homelessness and offers advice, support, and legal services but relies on public support to raise funds, volunteer and take part in campaigns to help fix the root causes of the housing crisis.

Jim Tarzey, Pegasus Group CEO, said: “We put a lot of thought into who we select as Charity of the Year, and a lot of effort into our fundraising activities. These were badly affected by Covid in 2020 which was disappointing for everyone, so it seemed only right to continue our efforts for Shelter for another year.

“As such, I’m absolutely delighted to reach £16,000, and thanks must go to our creative and determined staff for coming up with so many wonderful fundraising initiatives.”

A spokesperson for Shelter said: “A huge thank you to everyone at Pegasus for all your fundraising over the last couple of years, which is going to help us support anybody facing a housing emergency.”

Among the activities were a Move-ember in the Newcastle office that saw the team cycle, walk, swim or run the equivalent mileage of travelling to each Pegasus office. They raised £1,110.

In Manchester, Director Graham Lamb successfully challenged himself to run 5k a day for a whole year, raising £2,230.

Across the Group, a number of staff took part in the Shelter 100 sit ups a day, while The Ivy donated a three-course dinner for two people at one of their venues which was raffled off and raised £599.

And throughout the Christmas period, donations were invited on Christmas Jumper Day and many offices held bake offs and bake sales throughout the year.

Jim added: “It is a real testament to everyone here at Pegasus that we have been able to raise such a sizeable sum despite the multiple covid restrictions.”

Pegasus Group’s Charity of the Year 2022 is the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Pegasus Group has more than 400 skilled and experienced staff operating from 16 locations throughout the UK.

Charity & CSR, Food & Drink, News

Spreadable cheese brand contributed £7.8 million to good causes in 2021

Profits from The Kavli Group, which includes Primula Cheese and Castle MacLellan in the UK, enabled Kavli Trust to donate £7.8 million to good causes in 2021.

Kavli Trust is the sole owner of The Kavli Group, which employs 840 people in four countries has contributed a total of £62.7 million to good causes around the world since 2012.

In recent years, Kavli Trust has focused on projects and low-threshold measures strengthening child and adolescent mental health and climate and environmental solutions. Most funds are allocated to good causes in the four countries where The Kavli Group operates: the UK, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

Here in the UK recent beneficiaries include St Oswald’s Hospice, staff were presented with a cheque for £30,000 by the cheese brand to fund a range of accessible play equipment for its Children and Young Adults Service. As well as the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) which received a vital £26,000 investment to help with their focus to offer 24/7 critical care support in the region.

Commenting on last year’s contribution Inger Elise Iversen, General Manager at Kavli Trust said: “At the Kavli Trust, sharing is at the heart of everything we do. That is why we donate all of our profits to good causes. We are delighted to have allocated £7.8 million to projects within humanitarian work, research and culture last year and hope to beat this figure in 2022.

“We will continue to invest in strengthening child and adolescent mental health for years to come at the Kavli Trust. It is more important than ever to contribute to all children and young people experiencing well-being, security and belonging.

“We also choose to support several projects promoting climate and environmental solutions. As part of the food business, we have a responsibility and a potential to contribute to good solutions within responsible consumption and production of food. The fight against food waste is therefore another main focus.”

Kavli Trust will continue to allocate all profits from The Kavli Group to good causes.

For more information on the Kavli Trust, visit https://kavlifondet.no/en/