New Members
HoW College joins the Chamber as a Strategic Member With an unwavering commitment to develop even more employer relationships across Worcestershire, Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW College) proudly announces it is joining Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce as a Strategic Member. Established in the 1830’s during the industrial revolution, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic member-led, not for profit organisation, working to support the local business community and member businesses. Strategic membership with the Chamber will allow the College, and its workforce, the opportunity to network with the most experienced and well-respected business leaders across the two counties at a number of formal and informal events. Speaking about joining Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce as a strategic member, Michelle Dowse, Principal and CEO of HoW College said: “Heart of Worcestershire College improves lives through learning and supporting over
6000 young people and adults every year, to develop the skills to secure their first role, to return to employment or to upskill to secure a promotion or career change. As an anchor institution supporting our communities, our membership of the Chamber has helped us to forge relationships with employers who support us to prepare our learners for their next steps. We are thrilled to become a strategic member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber and this step cements our collaboration to support employers in our region and ensure they have the skilled workforce they need. The College aims to nurture the brilliance of every learner, whatever their age or previous qualifications and we achieve this with the
support of employers who share their insights with students, help them prepare for job interviews, show them around their premises, enable students to work on real projects as well as help the College to design the curriculum so that it is aligned to employer needs. Our strategic membership will increase the number of businesses actively engaged in their local college benefiting our communities and our region.” Heart of Worcestershire College is the largest further education college in Worcestershire offering a wide range of vocational and technical courses in specialist subject area alongside a vast array of apprenticeships and higher education courses. To find out more about the College please visit www.howcollege.ac.uk.
West Midland Safari Park becomes Patrons West Midland Safari Park are delighted to announce that they have become patrons for the H&W Chamber of Commerce. It comes at a great time for the Bewdley tourist attraction, as they have plenty to celebrate for 2023 – a milestone year, as the Park celebrated its 50th anniversary in April and marked the occasion with new attractions, events and a conservation fundraiser.
Alongside the new developments, the Park held a Roar & Explore event for the summer holidays, where guests could join Eddie the Explorer on an adventure to find the lions, as well as take part in competitions and learn lion facts to earn a sticker.
the Park’s conservation partners, Global Penguin Society, WildCats Conservation Alliance, Save the Rhino International, The Mali Elephant Project and Lemur Conservation Association (AEECL).
For summer, the Park’s brand-new attraction, Lion Ridge, was opened by former England Lioness, Jill Scott MBE, allowing guests to see lions on foot for the first time in the Park’s history. Additionally, the Park opened four Lion Lodges, offering overnight guests the chance to sleep a whisker away from these magnificent big cats.
The Park also celebrated its 50th birthday with a conservation dinner, where over 250 guests enjoyed a three-course dinner, entertainment and listening to special guest speaker, award-winning TV presenter, Michaela Strachan.
Conservation success has continued elsewhere at the Park with the birth of an endangered red panda cub and a critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub – both a first for the attraction and great news for the conservation of their species.
Proceeds from ticket sales, auctions and a raffle managed to raise over £25,000 for
www.wmsp.co.uk
Caring for life across Worcestershire St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity caring for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days, while supporting their loved ones. Everything we do is made possible thanks to the wonderful generosity of our donors, supporters and volunteers, which includes our friends in the local business community. Tricia Cavell, Fundraising Director for St Richard’s, said: “With more than three quarters of our funding coming from supporters, we simply couldn’t be here for patients and families without the support of our local community now and into the future. “Being a Strategic Member of the Chamber of Commerce in Herefordshire & Worcestershire allows us to understand the challenges and opportunities facing our region as we work to boost income generation for the years ahead. Membership also
enables us to build lasting relationships with business leaders across two counties.” For more information about St Richard’s Hospice and the care we provide please visit www.strichards.org.uk.
39
