The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 15: Spring 2020 | Page 40

POSITIVE BUSINESS THIRD SECTOR: SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WORKING As we embark on a new decade, I am struck by the challenges that the Third Sector is facing after a decade of austerity across the UK. Austerity has had a profound effect on many organisations, particularly across the Third Sector. Increasingly we are all being personally asked to support a multitude of charities, social enterprises and good causes as the traditional routes of financial support have dried up or disappeared completely. Despite having a fairly robust economy in Bath and North East Somerset, amid funding cuts Third Sector support has dwindled with finding sources of funding becoming more and more difficult as the decade has drawn to a close. Many Third Sector organisations are battling for a smaller and smaller slice of the ever-decreasing pie and rely heavily on the generosity of the private sector, individuals and benevolent foundations and trusts. Luckily in B&NES we have already recognised this challenge and embraced this head on with a true spirit of partnership working. Organisations such as B&NES 3SG and also The Business Exchange have come together to pool resources, assets and funding in order to promote future sustainability and growth. This really is the only way to work as the challenges for the Third Sector continue to grow and grow each day. Events such as the Charity Conference on Thursday 6th February encourage us all to pull together and to share contacts, tips and resources to ensure sustainability and longevity for us all. Partnership working forms a key part of the new Citizens Advice B&NES ‘Six Pillar strategy’ which aims to tell our story in a better way and change our culture and ways of working. In response to unprecedented challenges we are now looking to use partnerships to unlock mutual value, and not only in financial terms. Our new ‘Money Goals Advice Service’ in partnership with Bath City FC and Wessex Water helps to bring in extra resources and funding through partnership working. This means we can provide a sustainable service in an area of much need in the city. Without the partnership this would not have been possible. We are also calling on our national partnerships to help us facilitate a visit from HRH The Princess Royal in late February, in order to further promote and champion the great work we deliver across B&NES. In addition, we are talking to other organisations outside of our usual known remit as we increasingly look at new partnerships and methods of delivery for our services. This is without doubt hard work, but with a wonderful team in support, we are delivering sustainable growth for the charity. Les Redwood, CEO, Citizens Advice B&NES If you would like to support or work in partnership with Citizens Advice B&NES, please email: [email protected] RACECOURSE GIVES BACK TO BATH COMMUNITY Bath Racecourse has revealed its total charitable and community contribution for 2019. As well as donating more than £100,000 worth of tickets to local residents, the armed forces, NHS and emergency services staff, and local charities, other notable achievements during the year included MJ Church’s charity raceday in May, which raised more than £36,000 for the RUH Forever Friend’s Appeal. Bath Racecourse’s Acting General Manager, Maddie Difazio-Wright, said, “There’s so much good activity happening at Bath Racecourse to support local charities and the local community. “Last year, we donated more than 2,000 tickets and hospitality packages to local and horse racing charities for them to use as raffle and auction prizes; and we had 15 different charities attending exciting horse racing fixtures to bucket collect – raising more than £3,000 between them. “We are so proud to have been involved with MJ Church’s hugely successful charity raceday, which in the past four years has raised more than a staggering £109,000 for the RUH Forever Friends Appeal; it’s fantastic to see so many people here having fun at the races whilst also supporting a wonderful cause.” • More than £3,000 raised from charity bucket collections at horse racing fixtures • 2,209 tickets given away to local residents • 1,189 tickets given away to NHS and Emergency Services employees, worth £20,000 • 134 tickets donated to Armed Forces via Tickets for Troops worth £2,500 • Racing’s educational programme, Racing to School, brought 130 children from four local schools to learn maths skills • £5,000 raised on Ladies Day for Cancer Research UK via ticket donations and bucket collections • £4,000 donated to Empire Fighting Chance and the Forever Friends Appeal from Bath Racecourse’s owners’ charitable foundation, the Reuben Foundation Bath Racecourse’s 2019 Charitable and Local support highlights: There are various ways charities can work with Bath Racecourse to raise funds. Find out more at the Bath Racecourse website: www.bath-racecourse.co.uk • £36,000 raised for the RUH Forever Friends Appeal via MJ Church’s charity raceday • 2071 racing tickets and raceday hospitality packages (worth over £42,000) given away for charity raffles and auctions 40 www.tbebathandsomerset.co.uk For more info: www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk