Business Support
Could you use a little help refurbishing a room? Or specialist skills and training? Maybe even some equipment or a venue for a meeting or event?
Increasing numbers of companies are getting involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR is where a company gives something back to the local community. This could be providing a team of volunteers to complete a neighbourhood project, or free advice and expertise to help a charity operate more effectively.
For voluntary and community organisations, CSR is an invaluable resource of time and skills that can help them to develop and achieve.
For companies, it is an opportunity to be innovative and lead, to enhance their integrity and develop employees.
“CSR is not simply about investing in communities to help resolve social problems… it is about the integrity with which a company governs itself, fulfils its mission, lives by its values, engages with its stakeholders, measures its impacts and reports on its activities”
(DTI Corporate Responsibility Group, 2003)
In Solihull, SUSTAiN is working with local businesses to identify CSR opportunities that will benefit Third Sector organisations.
How can CSR help your organisation?
- Team Challenge
- This is where a team of people support an organisation with a one-session activity such as refurbishing a room or making-over a garden.
- Pro Help
- One-off professional help in areas such as accounting, law, planning, quality, IT, HR or marketing. In some cases, a one-off pro bono meeting can lead to paid professional work.
- Mentor
- Typically a once a month session offering professional expertise to oversee and an organisation though a period of change.
- Pro Event
- A basic training or instruction session in a specialist skill, set-up for several organisations sharing the same need.
- Venue
- Some companies offer free or reduced cost room hire for charities or voluntary and community organisations. The SUSTAiN website provides a search facility of venues, including those available through CSR.
- Equipment
- Often companies replace equipment while it is still in good condition. SUSTAiN regularly receives offers of donated office furniture and equipment.
- Volunteer
- As relationships grow individuals may want to assist an organisation with skilled help by becoming a Trustee or volunteer, applying skills into new areas and developing personal talent. Prospective employers also look for community involvement on CVs or as an added bonus for career development.
- Partner
- Some companies will develop an on-going relationship with a community based organisation. Such a partnership may provide many opportunities as the relationship between the organisations grows.
Interested?
SUSTAiN is continually securing new support for Third Sector organisations from local businesses, with a dedicated Business Advisor who can match your needs to the help that is available. Let us know what it is you need, or if you are unsure, give us a call to see how we might be able to help you.
Contact Martin Clarke, Business Advisor at SUSTAiN on 0121 711 3148 or csr@solihull-sustain.org.uk.
