The People need People project is the Mayor of Uckfield’s charity focus for the initial term of office 2024/25, encouraging charities to identify where they need help and support, that can be met by the skill sets from a local business.
When we talk with business owners many would welcome the opportunity of supporting the Third Sector, but they are unsure where to begin and how best to make a difference. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to learn that businesses are more likely to have a greater impact if they use their own skill sets to make that difference.
The benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is something that all businesses, both large and small, should embrace.
There are benefits to the business too, of course.
Supporting a charity directly with pro bono or at cost work, is worthy news and businesses shouldn’t necessarily be slow to share the news within the public domain.
Press releases maybe less common these days but a plethora of social media channels allows local businesses to share good news stories in a timely manner to dedicated audiences. Positive PR can showcase an organisation’s values and capabilities, possibly leading to more business.
Team building is another benefit that we see time and again with businesses who support charities. Working together with colleagues on a fund-raising activity or delivering a pro bono project builds morale, and makes staff feel better about themselves and their employer! Some businesses (and Dawson Hart Solicitors are a good example) adopt a charity of the year, allowing staff to raise funds throughout the 12 months, with the staff taking ownership by deciding who to support each year.
Get your business involved
Working alongside Wealden Volunteering, the Chamber is keen to support our mayor and facilitate the concept of more Uckfield businesses and charities building partnerships for the greater good within our community.
Here are some third sector opportunities for local businesses to support.
| Girlguiding | Osborn Hall needs a new roof, painting inside the hall, walls in toilet with damp issues, hand rail outside needs fixing, outside sign needs updating. |
| 4th Uckfield Scouts Ashdown Scout District | Toilets in HQ built in 1986 need renovation and modernisation. Trustees with a variety of disciplines. |
| Chailey Heritage Foundation | Gardening and gardening equipment or plants |
| Bluebell Railway | Trustees with Legal, accounting, marketing and sales experience or just someone to help out for a while and transfer knowledge to existing trustees. |
| Uckfield Heritage | IT Advice / help and marketing advice |
| Uckfield Foodbank | Businesses can make food collection at different times through the year – not just at Christmas Social media help – training |
| Ridgewood Village Hall | Decoration of Hall |
| Luxford Centre | social media help and training specifically for a fundraising project. |
| Viewcraft | Help with grant applications. They are a charity for people with visual impairments and find this quite challenging from a practical perspective. |
| Heathfield Youth Hub | As the Hub is about to open a new building, they would appreciate support with things such as organising furniture, decoration and events planning. |
| East Sussex Hearing | They run Hearing Aid maintenance and social groups across Wealden. They would welcome local business sponsorship of these sessions. Also collaborating in specific ‘day’ events at these session. E.g.: Wills Day, Active You Day, Downsizing Day etc, etc. |
| Wealden Volunteering | Our main office in Uckfield is looking very tired and uninviting. Help to redecorate the inside and make our space on the High Street an inviting and appealing place for the promotion of volunteering. |
Please contact Judith Austin via email ceo@wealdenvolunteering.org.uk for further information about how your business or charity can be involved.