THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY GIVING SUPPORT  My name is Wendy Hobson and I’m the Employee
Manager for the Blackburn Partnership. Basically, that’s a part time post
where we try to meet the needs and requirements for voluntary, charity and
community groups locally by private sector involvement. That can range from
huge companies like BA Systems,right through to the small stores in the town
centre. We take anything from when a store has over ordered on bread,right
through to total refurbishment of premises. If anybody has any service
requirements let us know. There are several projects that are run from the Blackburn Partnership. In the employee and community involvement side there’s just myself. It makes it difficult in some ways but in others it’s just me who knows what’s going on and I can deal with things as they come up. We also run the Guardian Angels Scheme, the School Friends Scheme, the Employers Forums locally and several other smaller groups. My job is about meeting the requirements of local voluntary, community and charitable organisations by trying to encourage private sector investment and involvement,ranging from doing a collection of unwanted household items to give to women leaving the women’s refuge, through to painting and decorating a community centre. When I worked at the Council for Voluntary Service I found out a little bit about T.H.O.M.A.S.,so when I moved over to working for businesses in the communities and then,subsequently, the Blackburn Partnership it became clear that there was so much need in the town and T.H.O.M.A.S.was one of the organisations who could help people who were on the streets and in desperate need. So basically, the organisation registered a requirement with ourselves and I sought out the private sector companies who could help them. They have had help from several companies locally such as VMI who have provided drinks,chocolates and crisps etc. for the workers, BA Systems who have done the redecorating and previously we’ve had Morrisons. We get a lot of support by way of wallpaper and tiles from B&Q. All the major stores are only too willing to help if you ask them. |
