CHAMBER PARTNERS

Young people from Crewe and Nantwich thinking about their future careers have been inspired by local businesses throughout the pandemic during virtual events hosted by The Pledge Partnership. Despite the challenges of lockdown, which has limited their ability to do work experience or just visit businesses or attend careers fairs, the virtual sessions have ensured they have been guided and supported. Funded by the European Social Fund, the Pledge Partnership, part of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership was extended in 2019 to cover the whole of Cheshire and Warrington with the overall aim to put employers at the heart of inspiring, informing and communicating with the next generation of employees. Engaging in the Pledge is a great way for employers to find future talent and to highlight career opportunities. The Pledge Partnership works closely with businesses in the region to connect them with young people. This work has continued over the past year through online events and workshops such as Career Expos and Industry Insights. The Pledge team is engaged with 100% of mainstream and special schools and more than 300 employers in Cheshire and Warrington have interacted with more than 100,000 students. The Pledge Partnership started as the Crewe Pledge and was originally hosted within the Chamber in 2015 with the aim of helping students become more work-ready and encouraging employers to support careers in the curriculum, especially for under-achieving students. This work has continued as part of the Pledge Partnership which is now made up of nine localities across the Cheshire and Warrington sub-region, comprising the Crewe and Nantwich Pledge which is flourishing with over 100 local members including Bentley, AO, Air Products, Engie, Hibberts Solicitors, JG Creative and Rare Earth Digital. Liz Parkin, Pledge Facilitator for Crewe and Nantwich, said:

“The response to the Pledge

Partnership has been overwhelming with businesses of all shapes and sizes giving their support. Thanks to many employers in South Cheshire, every school in our patch has had opportunities to continue meaningful engagements that will no doubt help shape students career choices.”

Alan Wilson, Careers Teacher, Malbank School, Nantwich said: “The Pledge Partnership has been brilliant in supporting Malbank students during lockdown. They have enabled students to access valuable career experiences online, plus acted as a hub to connect Cheshire East Schools and employers. Their help has enabled Malbank School to achieve Gatsby benchmarks despite the epidemic. To sum up the Pledge’s help has not only been invaluable but essential.” There are many ways that employers can get involved with the Pledge. They are currently looking for volunteer Enterprise Advisors to support schools. The strategic role of an Enterprise Advisor allows professionals to give back to the community and gain a better understanding of the education sector and the challenges they face. Mark Bosworth, Enterprise Coordinator for Crewe said: "We are grateful to the employers that have stepped up to support our schools and I welcome any Chamber member to contact me about being an Enterprise Advisor."

_ To get involved in the Pledge and help raise awareness of your business with the next generation, please email liz.parkin@871candwep. co.uk or call 07886 633 370. To find out more about the Pledge Partnership in Cheshire and Warrington visit candwgrowthhub. co.uk/skills/pledge/

Light at the end of the tunnel

During this time, it is imperative for our local charities to consider how sustainability and forward planning can be effectively navigated, while managing the urgent and pressing needs of the communities, on our doorstep, suffering deprivation and disadvantage. Since Covid-19 more and more people are accessing the foodbanks, becoming homeless; unemployed or without regular income; the frail elderly living alone are suffering social isolation and incidence of increased mental ill-health; depression, and suicide rates are escalating! This in turn means that even more demands are being placed on the non-profit sector. This added to the challenges around shrinking resources in terms of managing social distancing, furloughed staff, and restricted funds, all combine to add extra stresses for our Crewe and South Cheshire third sector leadership teams. Cheshire Connect are progressing plans to enhance the skill donor support to meet the changing needs of charities and not for profits. In conjunction with this, we are ensuring that we are working closer to other infrastructure organisations such as the Cheshire East Council, LEP, CVS, Social Action Partnership and Cheshire Community Foundation. All these measures are ensuring a robust response to supporting the sector. If you are a local business or corporate enterprise, your leadership and staff may be interested to take an active part in your business’ Corporate Social Responsibility or Good Business Citizenship programme, including skill donor support. You will also be able to engage in the Social Value Award for Cheshire East, thereby giving you formal recognition of your commitment to giving back to the communities in which you operate. We are seeking business skill donor support to help the local third sector organisations, including community groups, to develop their own pathway and strategic plans towards a sustainable future. Here are just some of the business and professional skills required by our local charities and community groups: • Strategic Planning • Financial Forecasting • Marketing – online/social media/ website design • Mentors and Trustees _ There is a bright light glinting ahead and we can all help to support our most vulnerable communities by sharing our knowledge, resilience, skills, and strength. For more information on how to get involved, please contact the local Crewe and South Cheshire Business Connector, Dianne Parrish on 07946 639394 or email: dianneparrish@cheshireconnect.com

Photos: ‘The Wishing Well – Healthy Living Project’