Northamptonshire Cares

Northamptonshire Cares was launched in February 2010 and is funded by Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL).  It is a Business in the Community campaign to engage employees in their communities through volunteering.  Northamptonshire Cares aims to increase the quality and impact of employee volunteering throughout Northamptonshire focusing on education.

Andrew Tubbs, Chairman of Shoosmiths, is Chair of the Northamptonshire Cares Leadership Team.  Since the inaugural meeting in February, nine companies have joined.  These include Shoosmiths, Howes Percival, Grant Thornton, Ricoh, Coca-Cola, Avon, Barclaycard, Royal Mail and MGWSP.

All the members are engaging brilliantly with the programme with many projects already undertaken or planned in the near future.  For example, Grant Thornton are supplying 18 volunteers to help create a science garden at a primary school in Wellingborough; Shoosmiths are hosting teacher development days; Royal Mail and Ricoh are supporting a careers conference and MGWSP together with Barclaycard are involved with a maths conference.  The presence of Northamptonshire Cares is also encouraging other BITC members to get involved in volunteering projects and Give & Gain Day.

Northamptonshire Cares supports Adrenaline Alley Skate Park in Corby, whose mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for young people in Northamptonshire to participate in urban activities and to be a leading provider of urban sports in the UK using a range of partnerships to become a sustainable social enterprise.  We are delighted that their Founder and Operations Director, Mandy Young, was the winner of the East Midlands SIEFF Award in June 2010.  Mandy received her award at our Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on 22 June.  If you are interested in supporting Adrenaline Alley further details can be found at www.adrenalinealley.co.uk

The official Northamptonshire Cares Launch Event is scheduled for 17th September 2010 where members of the Leadership Team will help sixth form students from a Northampton secondary school to create a science garden.

How can companies get involved?

Company Partners share best practice through our Leadership and Operations Team meetings.  These are held throughout the year to allow businesses to network and learn from each other as well as learn about the needs of Northamptonshire.

What is in it for companies?

• Join in a managed, quality assured programme that gives your employees an easy route into volunteering and makes a substantial impact in the local community.
• A great team building exercise.
• Helps reinforce your core business values and we will support youin measuring and evaluating community activity.

 What is in it for employees?

• Increased motivation at work.
• Improved communication skills.
• Personal Development.
• Team Building Opportunities.
• Increased sense of pride in your company.

For more information on Northamptonshire Cares email Peter Coe or call on 07766 161419