Better Bankside ebrief, June 2005 |
From the Canterbury Tales to Karrot - be part of a thriving 'CSR' programme
For several years a group of bigger businesses in the Bankside area have made efforts to invest in the wider Bankside/Borough area, offering both cash and in-kind support to local community initiatives. Now, following the success of the Better Bankside Business Improvement District (BID) ballot, 'Corporate Social ResponsibilityÕ (CSR) is one of the six programmes of the BID, with a core budget of c. £53,000 and a working group meeting every six weeks. The CSR group deploys its resources in and beyond the BID area, extending to the boundaries of the 'Blackfriars and Borough NeighbourhoodÕ - in the south to Borough Road, and in the west to Morley Street and Hatfields. This is one of the 16 'priorityÕ areas identified in Southwark as suffering from high levels of deprivation, and the subject of a specific 'neighbourhood planÕ being implemented by the Southwark Alliance. The CSR group is itself drawn from a constituency beyond the BID levy-paying companies. Membership is currently as follows: ¥ Anne Wolfe, PricewaterhouseCoopers (Chair) Priority areas of work for the CSR group include: ¥ local schools, and through them with families Where it supports a project, the group seeks to be part of a 'partnershipÕ rather than the sole funder. And it sees its contributions as the means by which a project can lever in further funding, whether it be from a Lottery distributor, a public source (local authority, Single Regeneration Budget etc.) or another private source (trusts, corporates etc.) The CSR Working Group aims to encourage new initiatives, and where relevant, to assist them in becoming sustainable However it will continue to support projects beyond the development phase where appropriate. At present, a wide variety of projects and initiatives receive support. These include: Karrot [www.karrot.org.uk] - In 2001, 800 Southwark teenagers were surveyed. They were asked why they or their friends might not go to school, or why they might get involved in criminal activity or antisocial behaviour. They gave three answers: a shortage of information on local activities, boredom, and a complete lack of recognition. As a result the Karrot project was born, and offered to all of the 8,500 11-15 year-olds living or educated in the borough. They are rewarded for improvement in attendance, punctuality, and behaviour. Karrot also runs projects such as a fashion show at Tate Modern and visits to the countryside. Current Karrot initiatives include music mixing and CD production, Operation Blunt Knife (to discourage knife crime) and a mobile internet cafŽ. Although Better Bankside has yet to fund Karrot, it is committed to supporting it in appropriate ways. Fones4Safety [www.realise-it.org/fones4safety.asp] - This project converts used mobile phones into direct-dial 999 personal safety alarms for victims of domestic violence. Its continuing success depends on the incoming supply of donated mobile phones from individuals and organisations. Better Bankside is committed to developing more collection points for phones in the Bankside area. In the meantime, contact Aterah Nusrat at Elephant Jobs on 020 7740 6533 to arrange free bulk collections from your organisation. Smaller quantities can be sent to CRISP, Freepost Lon15948, London SE17 1BR. Southwark Playhouse [www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk] - between 28th June and 10th July, Southwark Playhouse is celebrating ChaucerÕs Canterbury Tales 'on the streets the pilgrims trodÕ. The play commences at the George Inn at 7.15pm each evening, proceeding via the 'back streets, parks and famous sites of Borough, culminating at Southwark CathedralÕ. Better BanksideÕs CSR group is contributing £3,000 to support the associated education programme - with workshops and heritage walks for 8 schools - and the signed performance on 9th July. It is also encouraging Better Bankside member companies to attend the Gala Performance on 6th July. Southwark TheatresÕ Education Partnership - STEP sees the boroughÕs arts organisations - large and small - joining forces during the month of July to highlight the vast range of imaginative and creative education work that goes on but is rarely given the profile it deserves. In 2004, 13 arts organisations showcased their education work, involving young people and teachers in the exciting world of theatre. 32 schools participated in 57 theatre events. Representing nearly a third of Southwark's schools, 1,922 young people and 603 adults took advantage of workshops, live performances and a unique chance to work with some of the many great theatre companies and venues in the borough. Better Bankside supported STEP in 2004 and will support it again, to the tune of £6,000, in 2005. Shell Technology & Enterprise Programme [www.step.org.uk] - This is a well-established programme which brokers the placement of undergraduates into business with less than 200 employees for an 8-week period running from the beginning of July each year. The students are paid a bursary of £160pw and undertake a specific project - typically in research, analysis of systems and procedures, marketing and promotion, e-commerce or product/service innovation. STEP undergraduatesÕ projects are subsequently assessed by a local panel of judges. A winning project may then proceed to regional and national rounds. In 2005 Better BanksideÕs CSR group is seeking to place 6 undergraduates into local businesses, with a view to piloting a more wide-ranging programme of work placements. Southwark Tourism & Employment Fair - LB SouthwarkÕs Tourism Unit helds its first tourism employment fair on 12th May 05 on board HMS Belfast. The fair brought together local students, colleges and employers, with the employers 'interviewingÕ the students. As a result, 20 students will gain a 2-week work placement with local companies. Of the 20 companies, 5 are BID levy payers - Mercure Hotel, Golden Hinde, Hogg Robinson, Real Greek and Vinopolis - and a further 3 are in the BID area - Southwark Cathedral, Clink Museum and Southwark Playhouse. Better BanksideÕs CSR group is covering the £100 per week bursary for the students gaining placements in these organisations. Christmas Project - At Christmas, Better Bankside invited local businesses to donate various types of goods as presents for the residents and users of five local charities - Lucy Brown House, HoptonÕs Charity, Age Concern Southwark, Manna Centre and Crisis. The appeal proved very successful with a total of 556 gifts collected: 270 toiletries; 189 food items; 67 clothing items; and 33 others including radios and books. Gifts were sorted and wrapped by Volunteers in Action, Better Bankside and PricewaterhouseCoopers and were delivered on Friday 17th and Monday 20th December. This yearÕs Christmas Project will be launched at a special Christmas service and party for businesses on 30th November. For more information on Better BanksideÕs CSR programme, please contact Giles Semper on 020 7928 9656, email gs@betterbankside.co.uk
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