The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 13: Autumn 2019 | Page 43

POSITIVE BUSINESS Partnerships are the way forward for survival in the third sector, says Les Redwood Having worked in the third sector for over a decade, I now find myself as CEO for the wonderful charity Citizens Advice B&NES (Bath and North East Somerset). With a great team of trustees, 14 staff and over 100 volunteers it is an honour to work with this incredible team and to provide advisory services to a whole myriad of people in need across Bath and North East Somerset. As a result, The Business Exchange has asked me to write this column to give a quarterly update of both our activities across the Unitary Authority and also my experiences of working in the third sector in the Bath region. Firstly – a little about Citizens Advice B&NES. We provide generalist advice to over 8000 people a year across four locations in Bath, Midsomer Norton and Keynsham. We serve a wide variety of people with all kinds of needs, across all age and socio-economic groups. Following the old Hard Rock Café principle of “love all, serve all,” we provide generalist advice to whoever and whatever comes in - and the demand is rising considerably! The biggest issues we are currently dealing with are debt, housing and benefits issues. We are also helping with a multitude of other matters around consumer, employment and family issues. The loss of legal aid support for the majority of people has had a significant impact, removing a much-needed crutch for many who need it most at a very difficult time. Add in substantial cuts in government and local authority funding and support for many people – including the most vulnerable - and the advice safety net is just not there for people anymore, especially around mental health issues and terminal illness support. These are just some of the reasons that we have our marvellous Bath Mind and Macmillan Cancer care partnerships. We have embedded team members from both of our charity partners to give expert support and advice right when this is needed – in the right place at the right time. Our high- quality (we are the only advice service that is FCA approved) advice services are delivered exactly at the point of most need by working closely with these partners. This reduces duplication, increases efficiency and gives an excellent service. I would suggest that the ‘bigger picture’ here is clear – partnerships have to be the way ahead for future growth and sustainability of many third sector organisations. Whether they are charities, public or private partnerships, universities or other social enterprises, it is clear that - with reducing funding and centralised support - working together is key to mutual survival in the third sector. I will expand on this further in future articles. In the meantime – should you be able to support us – please email me at: [email protected] Les Redwood, CEO, Citizens Advice B&NES For more info: www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk TAKE PART IN THE REC SLEEPOUT 2019 The Make it Grow Corporate Challenge Bath Rugby Foundation is calling on Bath’s businesses to forgo the comfort of their beds for one night to raise awareness of youth homelessness in the city. The Rec Sleepout will take place on Wednesday 6th November, at the home of Bath Rugby. The first Rec Sleepout took place in November 2018, when 125 people, including The Business Exchange team, braved the cold to spend an uncomfortable night on the concrete floor of the Rec’s West Stand. Bath Rugby Foundation works with more than 3,000 children and young people annually and staff are increasingly aware that many of the participants on the charity’s programmes do not have the security of a permanent home. Many young people find themselves sofa-surfing or moving between various types of temporary accommodation. Sadly, there are often times that young people arrive at the charity hungry. Bath Rugby Foundation CEO, Lynne Fernquest, said, “Every hour of every day in the UK a teenager becomes homeless and we believe that’s unacceptable in 2019. “As Government funding for youth support services continues to be cut, less and less support is now available for the rising number of youngsters who need it. Vulnerable children aren’t falling through To celebrate 20 years of fundraising for the RUH, the Forever Friends Appeal has launched a new campaign to engage local firms. the net – there is no net. This has to change. More people need to be aware of this very real and current issue and more needs to be done to tackle it. The threat of youth homelessness is an issue we will continue to highlight at Bath Rugby Foundation.” Bath Rugby Foundation is asking businesses to enter teams of four and ask that teams raise a minimum of £700, either by fundraising within your business or by direct donation, to take part. Individuals will be asked to raise or pledge a minimum of £150. Students are asked to raise £50. By taking part you will be raising awareness, boosting funds and helping make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people living in and around Bath. Sign up to take part in the Rec Sleep Out here: www.bathrugbyfoundation.com/ Event/the-rec-sleep-out-2019 Businesses from Bath and its surrounds are being urged to take part in a new Make it Grow Corporate Challenge. Patsy Gould, Corporate Officer for The Forever Friends Appeal said, “On 1st October we will give you £20 and your task over the next four months (October- January) is to grow your fund more than any other company taking part. This is your exclusive chance to be named the Make it Grow Corporate Challenge Champion 2019. Equipped with some brilliant fundraising tools, tips and ideas, it’s up to you and your colleagues to determine how you raise the most money. For the fashionista’s maybe you could have a dress down/up day? For the foodies, maybe a bake sale or Come Dine with Me style competition? Or if you’re feeling like a winner, a raffle or charity auction? “Our hospital is constantly evolving and funds are continuously needed to help provide our patients with the very best care possible. It is through support from @ForeverFriendsA companies like yours that we will be able to help deliver modern technology, improve facilities and ensure patients are treated in a comfortable and reassuring environment. We raise funds for all wards and departments across the hospital, so you and your colleagues can therefore choose an area of the RUH you feel passionate about.” The Business Exchange is one of the first companies to sign up to the Make it Grow Challenge. We are encouraging all of our clients, readers and contacts to join in the fun and compete against us. Why not create a challenge that showcases your business and business acumen too? We will promote your fundraising efforts via our website and social feeds, so get in touch and tell us what you’re doing. To register for the challenge go to: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/grow- corporate-challenge-registration Follow the #makeitgrow hashtag on social media and join in the conversation. THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019 43