CHARITY
POWER OF GOOD
It ’ s the trailblazing campaign that began with the aim of changing the lives and aspirations of girls and young women – and it ’ s based in the Tees Valley .
The Power of Women ( POW ) campaign has now evolved and is about inspiring the region ’ s young people to positively reassess their career hopes and dreams .
The POW campaign was created by a group of business leaders who were sick and tired of young women in their region being constantly overlooked .
Led by the late Professor Jane Turner OBE DL , together they came up with an action plan to improve the lives of young women in the Tees Valley and beyond .
The campaign is set to double the number of schools it works with , while seeking further partnerships with business leaders keen to invest in future talent and break down gender stereotypes .
And the call has gone out for more businesses to step forward to join existing partners including PD Ports , px Group , Tracerco , Intelect , Jacksons Law Firm , Middlesbrough College , Teesside University , GB Bank , HR Alchemy , Tees Business and This Is Tees Valley designers Kinship .
POW chair Jane Armitage , of Jacksons Law Firm , told This Is Tees Valley : “ A big thank you to our partners for helping us to inspire the next generation , plant seeds of ambition and break down gender stereotypes .
“ We need more committed business leaders and individuals to get behind us and play a part in improving lives across our region and achieve greater equality .”
The campaign has also launched a successful “ primary ambassadors programme ” – where school pupils are chosen to be part of the campaign and be ambassadors of equality and aspiration within primary schools .
It ’ s led to one group of pupils visiting Cambridge University and numerous work-
Children from Stockton ’ s St Bede ’ s RC Primary Academy including Power of Women ambassadors on a visit to Cambridge University .
based experiences and inspirational days , including learning about networking and the vast range of career opportunities available , regardless of gender , with local firms at the Tees Valley Business Summit .
And by catching them young , says Jane , it ’ s hoped to make young people but in particular girls “ believe in their potential and promote the belief that you should follow your dreams and that there is no such thing as girls ’ jobs and boys ’ jobs ”.
To find out how you can join the stellar line-up of growing Tees businesses associating their name with a force for change , email info @ powerofwomen . org . uk or visit powerofwomen . org . uk
Your hospice needs YOU !
Teesside Hospice is a much loved and respected charity that was founded by and continues to help local people and families who ’ ve been affected by a terminal illness .
The hospice leadership team is understandably proud of its clinical team , counsellors , staff , volunteers and fundraisers who , along with the families and friends of patients , join together to ensure that everyone gets to live well until the very end .
But Debbie Coulson , the charity ’ s director of income generation , says the hospice needs help now more than ever .
“ Because we have such a great reputation , it may be easy to think we are doing OK ,” she says . “ However , unlike hospitals and other healthcare organisations that are often fully funded by the government , we ’ re only 29 per cent funded .”
It costs a staggering £ 5,600 a day to keep the doors of Teesside Hospice open . With charitable expenditure estimated at £ 3.4m (£ 2m of which is for the inpatient unit ), the much-loved hospice currently faces a £ 405,000 fundraising deficit .
“ If we don ’ t make this deficit up this year ,
Expenditure – It costs £ 5,600 a day to keep the doors of Teesside Hospice open , says director of income generation Debbie Coulson ( inset ).
we ’ ll have to use our financial reserves , which isn ’ t sustainable for our future ,” adds Debbie .
“ We understand that times are really tough , and the cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone , but we are asking for your new or continued assistance . No matter how large or small , your support will help Teessiders to live as well as possible , for as long as possible .
Here ’ s how businesses can help : > Corporate donations and partnerships : make a donation to Teesside Hospice , either as a one-off payment or by becoming a partner . Find out more at teessidehospice . org / become-acorporate-partner . > Sponsorship : sponsor events or activities . > Charity partnerships : Choose to make Teesside Hospice your charity partner and pledge to support the hospice through fundraising activities and events .
> Employee fundraising : Encourage your employees to fundraise by organising charity events such as sponsored walks , runs or bake sales .
> Volunteering : Support the hospice by encouraging your employees to volunteer their time and skills to help with activities such as fundraising , administration or practical support .
> Gift Aid : Maximise your fundraising efforts by making Gift Aid declarations on any donations you make .
> Social media : Follow @ TeessideHospice on Linked In , Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .
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