Midlands: Businesses from across the West Midlands are being encouraged to support their local communities by signing up to the Mayor’s Giving Month.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, today hosted a virtual event with some of the region’s biggest employers and local charities to call on businesses of all sizes and sectors to give something back to communities in the region.
This could be through financial donations to charities and community groups, or practical help by offering time and expertise.
The Giving Month, which starts on 21 September, will also celebrate the work that local businesses are already doing to help communities.
The Mayor said: “The events of the last 15 months have been unprecedented, and I would like to thank the many charities and voluntary groups who have selflessly helped us get through these difficult times by working harder than ever to support vulnerable and isolated people.
“We have seen throughout the pandemic that businesses are keen to volunteer and help their local communities by offering their skills, knowledge, expertise and time along with raising essential funds and donations.
“Their generosity has been fantastic – including helping young people learn valuable job interview skills – and I look forward to us working with businesses of all sizes during the Giving Month and beyond, as the region starts to recover from the pandemic.”
Jo Harris, Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for the Midlands, said: We know that funding is really important to charities and community groups but they need more than just money to really thrive, and volunteering and the sharing of skills, experience and resources all make a vital contribution.
“When businesses and charities work collaboratively together, they can a make a big impact in their local community, and we have seen so many examples of that through the pandemic.
“It’s great that the Mayor is offering West Midlands charities and businesses this opportunity to share and gain together. Lloyds Banking Group are proud to be supporting the Mayor’s Giving Month and I look forward to seeing relationships between charities and business strengthen over the months to come, as we help our local communities to recover.”
The launch event will include an ‘in conversation’ with the Mayor and Jean Templeton chief executive of St Basils charity. She said: “There has never been a more important time for sectors to work together to ensure the most vulnerable are not disproportionately disadvantaged as we rebuild. The voluntary and community sector make an important contribution but can’t do it alone.
“Our ‘offer’ is to work with partners to ensure your contributions make a real difference. Our ‘ask’ is that you use your skills, knowledge and resources to work with us to make that difference.”
Businesses that would like to contribute to the Mayor’s Giving Month can sign up here: https://www.wmca.org.uk/who-
