31/08/2017
Can Your Business Help a Local Charity?
There are many ways in which charities can benefit from engagement with local companies and vice versa. Jill Harrison, CEO of Citizens Advice Enfield (CAB) explained to Chamber Manager, Bradley Rood, that sometimes it can be simple things – she cited a recent example whereby a CAB volunteer’s husband worked for a college which was getting rid of office furniture following a restructure. CAB was desperate for some chairs which had their arms still attached and where the adjustable height mechanism was still working! Two volunteers drove over to the college and packed a car full of items which would otherwise have been disposed of at some expense. She said, `Even though the college was getting rid of them, they were still better than the ones we had! We were enormously grateful’.
If you are having a clear out, think about whether a local charity might benefit. Even boxes of company pens, or ring binders which no longer fit your corporate image can find a good use in a local charity. If you have anything offers – please send details directly to Jill on Jill.Harrison@enfieldcab.org.uk and the CAB will try to match it up to a charity in need.
Another way that companies can help charities is to share their expertise. Could you release an employee for a day or two to update a charity website, or consider offering your own services as a charity trustee? A charity somewhere will need your skills and help. Reach Volunteering lists lots of opportunities for professionals of all kinds to be able to support a good cause. Why not take a look and see if there is a project you could assist with?
In future newsletters, we hope to be able to include information about local requests for assistance and local offers of help. Watch this space!