Telford and Wrekin CVS hosts first Summer conference for business and charities

Charities and businesses will be able to look at ways they can work together at a summer conference – the first event of its kind to be held in Telford.

Guests will get the chance to hear from three guest speakers at the summer event being run by Telford Pulling Together which is led by Telford and Wrekin CVS.

Ella Sips, strategic development manager at Telford and Wrekin CVS, today urged as many businesses as possible to book their place ahead of the event on June 20. Places are limited and must be booked in advance by June 14th.

She said: “This will be a wonderful chance for businesses to meet representatives from more than 30 charities that will be attending on the day.

“They range from the Red Cross and Axis Counselling to Beanstalk and Sutton Hill Family Group.

“All these groups work in Telford and would love to meet other organisations to talk about ways they can work together.”

Businesses will be able to learn more about how charities are benefiting from the work of In-Kind Direct from Laura Hales, head of charity partnerships.

The enterprise, which was founded by the Prince of Wales in 1996 and is one of the Prince’s Charities, redistributes surplus goods from manufacturers and retailers at reduced prices to non-profit organisations working at home and abroad.

Alan Olver from KIP, the Salvation Army’s homeless project in Telford, will be giving an insight into its valuable work across the borough.

While Peter Westall, the general manager for Corporate Social Responsibility at The Mid Counties Co-op will also be speaking at the event about its role.

Mrs Sips said: “This is also an ideal way for charities and businesses to learn new skills and ways of working from others which could help them in their day-to-day running.

“The three speakers we have invited to speak at the Telford Pulling Together summer special event are really inspirational.

“During the morning those attending will have opportunities to network with the charities and the other businesses there and take part in fun group events to enable them to get to know how charities in Telford currently operate.

“There will also be an opportunity to consider the new Telford Charter For Giving aimed specifically at businesses.”

Telford Pulling Together is a collaboration of seven infrastructure organisations either based in or working with the community in Telford.

It is made up of: Telford and Wrekin CVS (Council for Voluntary Service); Telford Volunteer Centre (part of the CVS); Rights and Fairness Telford; The Shropshire sub-committee Learning Alliance; The Community Foundation for Shropshire & Telford; Enabled Social Enterprise CIC; and Pisces West Midlands CIC.

The June 20 event is at the Telford Whitehouse Hotel from 9am to 1pm with a light lunch at noon.