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Preston Community Impact Group - Collaboration in Action

Power in Partnership Award 2007

Preston Community Impact Group is working collaboratively to improve their local community by breaking the cycle of poor education, unemployment and environment.

Processes

The Community Impact Group (CIG) is a group of managers from private and public sector businesses who work collaboratively to develop their involvement in the community for maximum impact. CIG was established in September 1998 to make a positive impact in the regeneration areas of Preston.

Despite the city of Preston’s growing prosperity there are still ‘pockets’ affected by low levels of literacy and numeracy, high unemployment, poverty, higher than average crime rates and being physically run down. CIG therefore identified three key areas of focus for its future strategy: Education, Capacity building and Homelessness.

Through working collaboratively the group has delivered a whole range of projects designed to enhance community regeneration. These include setting up reading partnerships in schools, industry days, work experience and the refurbishment of the Fox Street Night Shelter. The projects are delivered primarily through volunteering of CIG members and their employees.

Impact

  • Improved recruitment and retention: all CIG member businesses are employers of choice in the Preston area - recruitment campaigns have good response rates and retention levels are good
  • Collaborative working enables the sharing of best practice in promoting employee volunteering
  • Since 1998 CIG has raised or leveraged over half a million pounds for local community projects

See also

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