CHARITY
Businesses urged to get on board at High Tide
Exciting opportunities to help shape the workforce of the future
WORDS : SARAH WALKER PICTURES : TOM BANKS
Two exciting opportunities to become a corporate partner of the High Tide Foundation have come along at once .
Casper Shipping , PD Ports , Active Financial and Jacksons Law have all renewed their corporate partnerships for the fifth year in a row – but the charity , which delivers meaningful work experience programmes to schools , colleges and young people across the Tees Valley , is looking for two more . “ Our corporate partners are not just a number , as we only choose one business per sector , rather than having several corporate partners who all work in the same industry ,” says Lauren Bywater , general manager at the High Tide Foundation .
“ It ’ s what makes our corporate partners quite an exclusive group .
“ When I said thank you to Toby from
Jacksons Law for signing up for their fifth year , he told me it ’ s one of the easiest decisions the firm makes on an annual basis .
“ He said , ‘ We believe in what you do – you ’ re unique to the area and it ’ s very easy for us to sign up to be a corporate partner every year ’, which is very nice to hear .”
Corporate partnership creates many benefits that go beyond raising vital funds for the charity , which doesn ’ t have the advantage of a large team of fundraisers .
Lauren says : “ Aside from the financial support , just having these companies on board with us gives us a lot of credibility .
“ They are great businesses who are very well thought of and to have them put their name to our charity raises our profile .
“ It also gives others confidence that
Partnerships - from left , High Tide trustee Neil Parker of Joslin Rhodes , with Lauren Bywater of the High Tide Foundation , Paula McMahon of Sir Robert McAlpine and Michael Shakesheff of corporate partner Casper Shipping . we are a good charity , doing what we say we are going to do .”
This in turn piques the interest of other businesses , who can also get involved at no cost by providing valuable work experience opportunities for young people .
Lauren says : “ A lot of businesses – not just corporate partners , but members that get involved with our programmes – say we are helping to address the skills gaps that exist in a lot of sectors .
“ Lockdown changed the way everyone works so that many jobs can now be done online and remotely , so young people can now get jobs they would previously have had to move to London for .
“ Companies around here have identified that as a problem , but we can help by bringing young people into their workplaces and showing them the opportunities that are available on their doorstep .”
Lauren says this also demonstrates there is much more to working life than just picking up a salary , as they get a taste for office culture , the atmosphere and what businesses have to offer them .
“ We are helping to retain young talent here on Teesside and really help businesses with recruiting that talent ,” says Lauren .
Another benefit for businesses is that being involved enables them to achieve their corporate social responsibility goals – which can be vital when it comes to successfully tendering for business .
That said , the benefits to businesses go way beyond recruitment and winning new contracts .
Emily Skillcorn , a solicitor with Jacksons Law firm , says they are
90 | Tees Business