MEMBERNEWS
Collaborations to help communities
Social enterprise support group Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) is collaborating with businesses to continue its work in aiding Leicester’s voluntary, community and charity sector. It has worked with businesses
including BHIB Insurance Brokers to grow its service offering. BHIB has helped charitable organisations save an excess of £8,000 by providing specialist insurance policies to enable them to divert limited funds into service delivery. VAL has also developed a
partnership with Chamber patron Connect 4 Group. The group has so far worked with four local organisations to review their energy contracts, saving about £11,000 on running costs. VAL chief executive Kevan
Liles said: “It’s great to see our partnerships growing with such fantastic businesses as it means we can grow our service offering to further support Leicester’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.”
Foodbank in call for further support
A new initiative to feed the region’s hungry has raised £100,000 since the beginning of lockdown to make donations to more than 50 foodbanks – but needs further support this Christmas. The team behind Rotary4foodbanks is hoping for help from businesses
as it faces the additional challenges that the economic downturn and the coronavirus crisis present this winter. The project, run by the Rotary District 1220 charity, a Chamber member
that represents the East Midlands and Yorkshire, has been backed by its 1,800 club members. Project co-ordinator John Cavey said: “Clubs and Rotary’s own charity
raised an initial £100,000 to kickstart the scheme. We have used the economies of scale to buy staple food items in bulk at wholesale prices, and with the help of Rotary volunteers and businesses like Chamber member Taylors Transport Group and now supermarket giant Morrisons, we distribute free to around 50 foodbanks across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. “The Rotary4foodbanks model is totally scalable and the East Midlands is
leading the way by building on the support clubs have often provided in their local community. We are delighted that others are following our model.” Demand for foodbank services has more than doubled since the pandemic struck. Estimates suggest about eight million people will rely on foodbanks to some extent as the recession bites. John added: “What we need right now is financial support and pallet-
sized donations of appropriate foods. Our programme is run entirely by unpaid volunteers – every pound donated is spent 100% on buying food for foodbanks in our region. “Rotary4foodbanks needs support from businesses who are in a position
to give it, by providing expertise, practical input or financial support to ensure that the scheme really reaches those most in need.”
To donate, visit
www.justgiving.com/campaign/rotary4foodbanks Anyone who would like to offer support should contact John Cavey at
rotaryfoundation1220@gmail.com
12 business network November 2020
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