business connectors - an introduction apr 15
TRANSCRIPT
www.bitc.org.uk
Business ConnectorsAn Introduction
www.bitc.org.uk
• 1.9 million children (the highest number in the EU) are living in a household where no-one works
• Nearly 1 million young people (15.9%) are currently not in education, employment or training
• 43% of UK prisoners are without qualifications and 70% leaving prison re-offend within 12 months
Two-thirds of charities are cutting frontline services and three out of four are making staff redundant – the very organisations helping to tackle these issues.
Why are Business Connectors needed?
www.bitc.org.uk
Individuals seconded to BITC from member companies for six months to two years to work in neighbourhoods of greatest need.
Who are Business Connectors?
Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister meets BITC’s Business Connectors in February 2012
www.bitc.org.uk
• Blyth & Ashington• Gateshead• Newcastle East• Newcastle West • Sunderland• Peterlee• Hartlepool• Redcar & Cleveland• Middlesbrough
North East Coverage
www.bitc.org.uk
Trained and supported by BITC with tools, contacts and reporting frameworks Business Connectors:• meet community and voluntary organisations to
establish their needs• meet local businesses to identify support
(knowledge, skills, time and resources) they can provide to the voluntary sector
• facilitate and support partnerships between community organisations and businesses to promote employability; education; and enterprise.
What does a Business Connector do?
www.bitc.org.uk
Engagements to date
Business Charity Education/Public Bridges YCB Sunderland Business
Networks Pulse Marketing Young Enterprise NE Ikea Homebase Lloyds Bank The Poppy Factory Clarity
Veterans at Ease Sunderland Mind SHAID (St Peters) Forward Assist Age UK Changing Lives Fare Share Royal British Legion
Finchale College Sunderland College SaBRE Sunderland CC MOD/Reservists Sunderland University (Warpit) Northumbria Police (Trust)
Community SE’s & CIC’s ShARP SAFN Sunderland Foundation Washington Football Club Space 2 Grow Advance
Clean Slate Gentoo Miss Tina’s NE Social Capital
www.bitc.org.uk
Wish ListsEMPLOYER JULIE PEOPLE BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS Work Placements
(driving, security, asbestos, horticulture, telecoms)
Apprenticeships Employment
Opportunities
Local businesses to support discount scheme
Houghton Rectory opportunities
Bike Doctor Develop cookery project Business to join payroll
giving scheme Business to donate % of
sales of an item Business sponsorships Football clubhouse build
Referral for programmes
Groups for creative writing project
Groups to deliver EBD to
Community baking project
Volunteers with matched skills
Speaker for International Women’s Day
Help with business plans PR and printing Microsoft 10 and CRM Business advisors Funding/grant info Help with accreditations
COMMUNITY STUFF ROOM/SPACE CASH VALUE Volunteers with
matched skills Football coaches
CD player/radio 2 counter suites Beehive Minibus Camping equipment High chairs Milk Wooden canopy Whiteboards Filing cabinet Text & reference books Printer ink Tea & coffee DSLR camera Tables & chairs Kitchen equipment Wooden rail sleepers Garden tools/plants/furniture Football kit & equipment
Parking space donated 2-3 bays in Durham
Office space in Ferryhill
3G training facilities at lower costs
Postage costs Discounts for marketing
and printing
www.bitc.org.uk
Values to March 2015
Education 54%Enterprise 23%Community Cohesion 15%Employment 8%
www.bitc.org.uk
Areas of Support
Education 54%Enterprise 23%Community Cohesion 15%Employment 8%
www.bitc.org.uk
20th – 26th April
•Engage with Employees
•Collaborate with the Community
•Engage with your Brand
•Shout about it!
#RBWeek
#proudtoworkfor
Responsible Business Week
www.bitc.org.uk
Give & Gain Day 15th May
www.bitc.org.uk
• Embed business people into the local area• Gain an understanding of local issues and respond• Develop skills to bring back into the business• Creates a pipeline for future leaders• Uncovers hidden talent
Benefits to Business
www.bitc.org.uk
• Opens new avenues of support• Raises the profile of the organisation through the
Connector• Frees up groups to do the day to day job• Increases the quality of services delivered• Builds trust
Benefits to Communities
www.bitc.org.uk
Business Connector Companies
www.bitc.org.uk
For me ,Business Connectors have the priceless capability of being neutral
intermediaries who can get local people together and get them talking about how they can make the best use of resources. It would fit beautifully with the community budgeting thinking, it would fit beautifully with the idea that we should encourage people to take back more power, more responsibility for
changing things by themselves.
Kay’s been extremely active in supporting local businesses One of the strengths of her role is that she can be independent and flexible whilst
promoting employment , enterprise and education. She ‘s also fully living up to the
notion of being a connector. It was clear within days that she had gained the confidence of our business and broader community. Kay is a vital part of our team...we have appreciated her work and really would like to see her continue in this
role for the foreseeable future.
Kevin Crompton, Chief Executive, Haringey Council
Tony Hawkhead, Chief Executive, Groundwork
In my role as a Business Connector I have been given the time and the challenge of carrying out
projects that really can make a difference to communities. In doing so, I have become
passionate about working with local communities in particular through education. I absolutely love
the experience and feel that as well as benefitting people locally, it also benefits Greggs as it is a great experience that is really helping
develop my business leader skills for the future. I believe that if the Business Connectors could
be rolled out, we can make a much greater difference in the areas that need help the most.
Craig Warkman, Business Connector, Teeside
Responsible business today means giving more, but also doing more and changing the way your company behaves. Business Connectors embody this change, making a real difference in communities.
Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister
Views on the programme...
