Newport bosses swap boardroom for the backstreets in community visit

A dozen of the city’s employers left their day jobs for a ‘Seeing is Believing’ visit into the hearts of three Newport communities, Duffryn, Bettws and Pillgwenlly,  to meet young people, volunteers, teachers and community leaders and get a better understanding of local needs.

They were introduced to community based organisations including Duffryn Link, Bettws in Bloom and Pillgwenlly Communities First as well as pupils from Duffryn and Newport High Schools. They day included a speed networking session at Duffryn High School where they were quizzed by GCSE pupils on what they do for a living, the skills that are important for their jobs, and their outside interests.  

The visit really showed that there are so many opportunities for businesses to help contribute to communities locally and that it really is time and expertise, perhaps even more than cash, that can make all the difference. Since the visit, we’ve had a number of businesses step up and say how they can help – either through being a career mentor or by providing work placements.  It was fantastic to see the appetite amongst local companies willing to support their communities. It was the same for Wales & West Utilities four years ago, so I’m sure that this day was just the first step in building strong links between more local businesses  and some fantastic community projects.

Wales Director for Business in the Community, Simon Harris, said the purpose of the visit was to show simple and effective ways for businesses to give something back to their community.

“The visit was exceptionally useful in showcasing the positive work of some fantastic community organisations who are working in challenging circumstances on limited resources.  Businesses have a lot they can contribute to the work of these organisations by engaging their employees in volunteering initiatives and providing their time and expertise to local projects. Being a career mentor to a young person, helping develop a social enterprise, organising a litter pick to help bring pride to the community doesn’t need to cost the earth and it can make all the difference to local people.”

The visit, part of the Prince of Wales Seeing is Believing programme was led by Mark Oliver, Director of Business Services at Wales & West Utilities.  Wales & West Utilities scaled up their own community programme after attending a Seeing is Believing visit in Newport four years ago.

Seeing is Believing is a Prince of Wales programme run by Business in the Community that engages businesses in community and social issues by showing how time and expertise from the business community could make a difference. The session also involved managers from Wates Group, Cassidian, Seren Group, Capper & Co, Siemens O&M Severn, Monmouthshire Building Society, Tracesmart, DAC Beachcroft and Mitie.

For more information about Business in the Community and the Seeing is Believing programme visit www.bitc.org.uk/wales.