The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire April Edition | Page 15

SPOTLIGHT ON TROWBRIDGE £10,000 UP FOR GRABS AS PEOPLE AGAINST POVERTY LAUNCHES LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECT Local charity, People against Poverty (PaP) has reached a landmark point in the charity’s growth this month as it launches its first ever UK project, which will be based within the BA postcode region. Based on the outskirts of Trowbridge, PaP currently works to alleviate dire poverty among communities, children and their families in Haiti, Nepal and Romania. The charity takes a holistic “hand up” rather than “handout” approach, partnering with locally-based project leaders within countries of operations to deliver initiatives such as child sponsorship (providing food, clothing and access to education), medical care, legal assistance, housing and agricultural enterprise. This year, in recognition of the fact that in the current economic and social climate poverty is a major UK issue, PaP has ringfenced £10,000 to fund a brand new project which will benefit a community initiative based within the BA postcode. Following PaP’s highly successful model to date of enabling communities themselves to identify the areas of greatest need, the project will be selected through a tender process. “Poverty has many guises; it’s not just about money” Individuals or groups are invited to submit their idea or project initially by completing an application form. The project may be preexisting or new, but must meet the aims and objectives of the charity to tackle poverty. PaP Chief Executive Officer, Val Huxley, commented: “Poverty has many guises; it’s not just about money, and the new project could tackle lack of social support, education, housing, childcare or something that we haven’t even considered! In addition to the funding, PaP runs a vibrant business brand, Business against Poverty (BaP), which will work to support the new project leader in his or her objectives.” Associated business brand, BaP, will be launching its own “first” in the weeks to come – details are being finalised, but watch this space! BaP is run as a membership organisation providing networking, events and profile-raising opportunities to businesses wishing to support the charity whilst demonstrating their own ethical stance. Nearly 100 businesses from the region are actively involved, with three new companies joining in the last month: True North, Front Room Marketing and Barlow Financial Management. Huxley continued: “Our charity is about community – that includes the businesses we work with and our local area. These two new projects align beautifully with our core values and will help us to consolidate and grow in the future.” To request an application pack for the UK project, email [email protected] For further details about Business against Poverty visit: www.businessagainstpoverty.com CAN YOU HELP STEPPING STONES BOOST FUNDING AND SECURE FOUNDATIONS? Trowbridge is home to Stepping Stones, a district specialist centre for children with special needs in the West Wiltshire area. All the children that visit Stepping Stones have been referred to the centre by a paediatrician, health visitor or other professional and may have a wide range of different conditions such as Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or Autism. Many children have a developmental delay, which means that they have had difficulties in learning skills such as walking and talking. The centre supports children often with very complex needs anytime from birth up to age five when they go to school. Children are assessed by Stepping Stones highly trained team and are helped and encouraged to learn through play. They are also given the opportunity to meet health professionals such as the speech and language therapist, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist. These therapists work with the team to develop a planned programme of activities, which is specific to each child’s individual needs. Next month Stepping Stones is facing a 12% reduction in their grant from Wiltshire Council at a time when demand for their services has never been greater. The cut comes after central government withdrew its Aiming High for Disabled Children grants. The charity has always only partially been funded by Wiltshire Council and relies on the generous support of the local community to keep the group running. Each year Stepping Stones has to raise in excess of £40,000 to continue to provide a service to the children and their families. These funds go towards the cost of salaries for the highly trained and dedicated staff in addition to specialist equipment and extra therapy for the children. Stepping Stones is asking local businesses for their support. There are lots of ways you can help, from selecting the charity as your company’s charity of the year, hold a fundraising event on their behalf, or have a collection jar on your reception desk. If you would like to help contact Barbara on 01225 350004 or visit their website: www.steppingstonestrowbridge.co.uk for more information about the charity. THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2013 TBE APRIL 14 Rev 4.indd 15 15 04/04/2014 15:15