NATIONAL BUSINESS RESPONSE NETWORK
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY NEED
NEWS UPDATE: JULY 2020
NATIONAL BUSINESS RESPONSE NETWORK
RECEIVES £3m FUNDING BOOST
About the network
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on towns and cities across the UK intensifies, the need to link business support to community need has never been more urgent.
To meet this demand the National Business Response Network matches community needs with the right business support. You can be part of this too, helping to save and change lives through #COVID19.
Here’s how:
- To offer help visit the Matching platform
- To request support for a community call our 24-hour hotline T: 0141 285 3821
- Read about the impact of the National Business Response Network
Tech Appeal
To date, Business in the Community has received requests for help from over 2000 charities and businesses in need as a result of COVID-19. Through its network BITC has been able to match more than half of these requests. However, the biggest remaining need is for tech equipment, mobile phones and tablets/ipads.
BITC is piloting a ‘bringback’ scheme with businesses asking employees to donate any spare devices for those in need.
How can I get involved?
Employees follow simple guidance provided by the UK Government (GCHQ) to remove all personal data and reset a device. The device is then deposited at a central location. The collected devices are verified, cleansed and provided to a charity for redistribution to families and community organisations. The charity also provides online help to get the devices connected and ready for reuse.
- For more information contact the National Business Response Network team
- Download the How to Donate guide. This includes a useful checklist
Support for business, communities and employers across the UK
BITC has extensive experience of supporting business and communities at moments of crisis. In addition to the matching platform developed as part of the National Response Network, we have developed a range of COVID-19 resources to help your business, the community and employees. These are provided under three key areas:
COVID-19 Practical actions for your business
Keeping your business going and supporting suppliers and customers through financial and logistical challenges.
COVID-19 Supporting your employees
Looking after the health and wellbeing of employees from coping with anxiety to overcoming loneliness.
COVID-19: responsible business and supporting your employees
COVID-19: stay safe online
COVID-19: digital technology to support wellbeing
COVID-19: supporting carers in the workplace
COVID-19: domestic abuse, supporting your employees
COVID-19: ethnicity and economic impact
COVID-19: helping employees facing financial difficulty
COVID-19 and gender equality at work
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women and COVID-19
COVID-19 and employee health and wellbeing
The Mental Health at Work commitment for Employers, through a COVID-19 lens
COVID-19: economic impact on age in the workplace
COVID-19 Supporting communities
- Funding:
BITC is standing behind National Emergencies Trust in its fundraising efforts. Whilst money is only part of the solution, we urge members to support this national appeal. Donations can be made on the National Emergencies Trust website. - COVID-19: supporting your communities
COVID-19: supporting your community partners
COVID-19: volunteering during the pandemic
COVID-19 and homelessness: business as part of the solution
Work with BITC to get the best from the Responsible Business Network
For more support, if you are already a Business in the Community member, please contact your BITC relationship manager or email us.