This gallery contains 2 photos.
Danks Cockburn Public Relations (DCPR) was one of the main winners at the recent Business in the Community Awards for Excellence evening in the West Midlands. The fast-growing communications specialist beat off competition from organisations ten times its size to … Continue reading
Children from a Birmingham school have teamed up with a dozen West Midlands companies to show they have the creative writing skills to match some of the world’s best authors.
Year 5 Pupils from Chad Vale Primary in Edgbaston started four modern tales involving Robin Hood as part of Business in the Community’s (BiTC) first ever Storybook Challenge.
They were then passed on to employees from local companies including Squire Sanders Hammonds, GF Tomlinson, WSP, Shoosmiths and Tulip to develop the stories before the children put the finishing touches by giving them magical endings.
Pupils are now in the process of completing drawings to be added to the fairy tales, which feature a ‘social media battle’, ‘Robin Hood doing BMX stunts at Birmingham’s Got Talent’ and ‘Will Scarlett on a bull down Broad Street’.
When these are completed, the quartet of stories will be bound and printed for other children and parents to read.
“We were really pleased that the Storybook Challenge proved so popular with the pupils and businesses alike and I think we’ve ended up with some really great stories,” explained Sarah Franklin, Partner at Squire Sanders Hammonds, who are a reading partner to Chad Vale School.
“More importantly, I believe it has encouraged children to use their imagination and should hopefully improve their reading skills at the same time.”
She continued: “I know the employees at the different companies really enjoyed the experience and I hope we’ll look at doing something similar next year.”
The BiTC Storybook Challenge involved 12 companies in total and these were AXA, DAC Beachcroft, GF Tomlinson, Legal & General, Pinsent Masons, Shoosmiths, Squire Sanders Hammonds, Tulip Ltd, University College Birmingham, Willmott Dixon and WSP.
It is an important event in the ‘Read to Succeed Programme’, which will also be launched in Coventry and Warwickshire in the New Year.
Robin Haselgrove, Headteacher at Chad Vale Primary, concluded: “Our Year 5s have really enjoyed the challenge, especially working with the businesses and then getting to add their own endings to the story. They’re now looking forward to seeing it in print!”
If you would like to get involved in future challenges, please contact Frances Kenwrick on 0121 451 2227.
Cleone Foods' Wade Lyn will be speaking at the event
Black Country companies looking to boost their sales by doing business responsibly are being urged to attend a free of charge breakfast event being held next week (Nov 9th).
The ‘Profits v Responsible Business – does there have to be a choice’ conference, which is being backed by Business in the Community (BITC) and University of Wolverhampton, will aim to show companies how they can be more profitable by committing to a sustainable agenda that focuses on respecting people, communities and the natural environment.
Held at Wolverhampton Science Park, delegates will hear from Aaron Reid (Responsible Procurement Consultant at Carillion), Dr Silke Machold (Reader in Governance and Ethics at the University of Wolverhampton) and Mark Clemson, Managing Director of New World Solar on what it takes to strengthen supplier partnerships, enhance brand reputation and to secure and retain important contracts.
There will also be the chance to listen to Cleone Foods’ Wade Lyn on his company’s commitment to this approach and how it has led to him being named the Prince’s Ambassador for Responsible Business in the West Midlands.
“Being a responsible company is not just for the big corporates; small and medium enterprises have their role to play and also deserve to enjoy the bottom line benefits that come with it,” explained David Darlaston, Regional Director at BITC.
“From talking to firms all over the West Midlands it was evident that there was a huge demand for us to hold events that can engage with smaller companies that want to know more about what it takes to be sustainable.”
He continued: “Wolverhampton is one of the first events to be held and we believe the high profile speakers will add a lot of benefit to local companies. There will also be all the latest information on the support you can access to do business responsibly.”
Business in the Community, which is the UK’s largest and best-known knowledge network for those involved in responsible business, has recently launched its first-ever SME membership package.
This covers three main areas:
David concluded: “We would urge any companies interested in corporate social responsibility to join the debate. No matter what part of the journey you’re on, the SME membership offer could add real value to the way you do business and your bottom line performance.”
Places are limited, so early booking is advisable by contacting Samerina Sahota on 01902 717491 or samerina.sahota@bitc.org.uk.