Denbighshire Voluntary Council
In Associatioin With
Business Supporting Communities
Welcome to the Business Supporting Communities, Communities Supporting Business webpage.
This project is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government in order to encourage small and medium sized businesses in Denbighshire to get more involved in the Third Sector, that is local community, voluntary, charity, cooperative, social enterprise and not-for-profit organisations.
The approach is simple: we work with each business to find out what their business needs, and match those needs with a community activity that will bring benefits to their business.
We can offer a wide range of initiatives that can help your business:
Some examples of businesses already signed up and activities underway:
Knowledge Sharing
A local IT supplier is currently planning a free of charge seminar organised through this project in order to share specialised knowledge and information in plain English. The seminar will be open to both businesses and community organisations.
There are clear benefits in terms of the attendees gaining knowledge and free advice, but also the business also has the potential to build their customer base and pick up new business, or receive free marketing from the attendees.
Business Placements
A small local manufacturing firm is planning to offer short work placements to young people in their community to give them work experience and boost their chances of getting work.
It is not all one way though, the businesses’ employees will gain too, by giving them the opportunity to learn and demonstrate new skills including coaching and leadership, boosting morale and an opportunity for good publicity.
Volunteering
A local business has peaks and troughs in demand. Rather than having employees standing idle, the organisation is planning to keep morale and energy levels high by undertaking some voluntary work during slow periods. This will have the dual benefit of keeping employees engaged and raising the company’s profile, as well as helping the local community.
Business Champion Mentoring
A community organisation based in South Denbighshire requires help with creating some business policies. We identified a student studying for a professional qualification who is able to help. With the support of her employer and college tutor, the student will provide high quality and much needed professional support to the community organisation, while the employer and student will benefit from increased skills and knowledge, exposure to new ideas and ways of working and will giving the student excellent evidence for her qualification.
Community Card
Several local businesses have already signed up to the Denbighshire Community Card – see our separate Community Card page for more details.
Comments from local businesses:
Keith Wilson, Landlord of the Griffin Inn in Llanbedr DC said “I believe everybody in this climate needs help and support. I am fully committed to supporting our community and to encourage all locals back to country pubs“.
Huw Williams of Rhesgoed Farm Shop in Llanbedr DC commented “in the current financial climate, where local businesses need support from communities and vice versa, this is a really good way of supporting voluntary and charity organisations and of them supporting us”.
What is it : |
What it isn’t : |
It’s about getting involved on your terms |
It’s not about money |
It’s about increasing your customer base |
It’s not about sponsorship |
It’s about building a better reputation for you and your business |
It’s not about giving something for nothing |
It’s about attracting and retaining staff |
It’s not about spending lots of time |
It’s about making a positive difference to your business and the community |
It’s not about doing things that aren’t in line with your interests |
