Sector Connector is a brand new project funded by North Tyneside Council and hosted by North Tyneside Voluntary Organisations Development Agency (VODA). The project aims to broker support from the local business sector into community organisations with an annual turnover of less than £100,000.
This support could include the donation of time and skills (i.e. volunteering), or it could take the form of businesses offering goods, services and facilities to the voluntary sector on a discounted or donated basis.
The project has just started but VODA have already identified a range of support needs for North Tyneside’s voluntary sector, and a number of businesses, large and small, who are ready to offer support in areas such as web design, health and safety, PR and marketing, waste minimisation and printing.
The voluntary organisations that VODA plans to support work with some of the most disadvantaged communities in the borough on issues such as mental health, health and wellbeing, culture and heritage and economic inclusion.
What are the business benefits?
While we appreciate that times are tough for local businesses, and resources are stretched, we have identified a number of key reasons why the private sector might want to get involved in supporting North Tyneside’s voluntary sector through Sector Connector:
- There will be positive PR opportunities including press releases and references on the project website; you will of course be free to ‘shout about’ your involvement yourself!
- The project could offer workforce development opportunities: encouraging your staff to learn new skills, find out about key societal issues, and engage with potential customers.
- This is your chance to demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility, to customers, suppliers, and the community at large.
If your business is interested in offering skills or resources to support North Tyneside’s voluntary sector, please contact Jon Goodwin at VODA on 0191 643 2625 or jon.goodwin@voda.org.uk
Alternatively, you can visit the project website at www.sectorconnector.co.uk and find out more about VODA at www.voda.org.uk
