How Charities and Businesses Build Thriving Communities
I’ve been fortunate to work across different sectors during my career, experiencing firsthand the impact of community development. Over the past 20 years, working with charities while also running businesses, I’ve seen creative partnerships tackle shared challenges and strengthen communities at the grassroots level.
Charities bring creativity, flexibility, and the ability to react quickly to local needs. Businesses, on the other hand, excel at spotting opportunities, networking, and leveraging resources.
In a time when public services are stretched thin, solutions for improving the health, wellbeing, and success of our communities often lie in collaborative efforts between these two sectors.
Collaboration Is Key
When charities and businesses work together, they achieve far more than they could alone. Partnerships can take many forms, including joint campaigns, funding initiatives, or volunteering programs.
The Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s Funding Magazine regularly highlights such partnerships. For example, Lloyds Banking Group works with Crisis, with employees contributing over 5,500 volunteer hours since the partnership began.
On a more local level, I’ve recently mentored Rebecca from Pulse on Prosperity in Haslingden, Rossendale. Rebecca runs Prosperity Potlucks™ as part of the Big Lamp Project, supported by the National Heritage Lottery and Rossendale Borough Council. Her work bridges businesses, charities, and the community, bringing together like-minded people to share ideas, resources, and solutions. Rebecca says, “We are all doing great things, but when we connect and collaborate, so much more can be achieved. Anything is possible!”
Inspiring Action
Closer to home, we’ve worked on projects to boost Newton Abbot’s visibility, benefitting businesses and charities alike. When the pedestrianisation of our street caused concern among local retailers, we initiated open and honest discussions with the community. Collaborating with local councils and the Newton Abbot Chamber, we are currently applying for Shared Prosperity Funding to enhance the town’s marketing, including a new “Visit Newton Abbot” website.
We recently sponsored the first 2024 Somerset Convention hosted by CCS to connect people and organisations to address the challenges facing communities in Somerset. It was a great way for different sectors and organisations to come together and discuss common challenges facing communities including Food Poverty, Diversity, Transport, Isolation and Mental Health, Fuel Poverty amongst other topics.
Building Stronger Communities
In challenging times, partnerships between charities and businesses can help solve common problems. Here are some tips to inspire action:
Charities and CICs: Identify shared issues in your area and reach out to businesses to tackle them together.
Businesses: Get involved by sharing skills, offering staff volunteering opportunities, or funding initiatives.
The Public: Support these efforts by donating, volunteering, or shopping locally. Everyone has a role to play in creating stronger, more connected communities. Together, we can make a real difference.
Everyone has a role to play in creating stronger, more connected communities. Together, we can make a real difference.
If you have stories or ideas to share about how you are working in partnership with your local community please share below…
