Embark CSR Launches Leicester Giving Day

The first ever ‘Leicester Giving Day’ will formally launch on Thursday 29th September. 

 

Developed by social responsibility consultancy, Embark CSR, Leicester Giving Day will take place on Friday 18th November, and will feature as an integral part of the Leicester Business Festival. 

 

The concept behind Leicester Giving Day is to encourage businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire to actively engage with their local communities and local charities, and to create partnerships through the offer of treasure, talent or time. The Day will also spotlight the important work of charities and community organisations in the city and county. 

 

Leicester Giving Day Founders, Chris Shaw and Stacey Wragg from Embark CSR say: 

 

“Leicester Giving Day is about celebrating what Leicester already does well, and encouraging more people to get involved in giving. Leicester Giving Day will shine a light on the people that go out their way every day to help others. 

 

“Leicester Giving Day will encourage local businesses to devote Friday 18th November to showcase the work they do to support local charities and community organisations. Hopefully it will enthuse companies that haven’t started on this journey to see the benefits of giving back to their local community. 

 

“We also want to create a day that gives people the opportunity to get involved in a fun and engaging way. They can get practical help to address pressing issues, such as the cost of living crisis, or their mental health, career opportunities, or the arts. Community Hubs will enable members of the public to get involved with a wide range of charities.” 

 

Here’s how it works. 

 

- Companies will be encouraged to sign up in support via the Leicester Giving Day website www.leicestergiving.uk 

- They will commit to allocating time or resources and enable staff to plan a fundraising or gift in kind event to take place on the 18th November 

- Projects will be showcased on the Leicester Giving Day website 

- Businesses will deliver their projects during Leicester Giving Day with the proceeds going to the charity or community group of their choice. 

 

The Leicester Giving Day strapline is ‘Treasure, Talent and Time’ which means participants can raise funds, volunteer their services, or help out through gift in kind support, such as offering unwanted IT or office equipment or proving specialist help to charities. 

 

Leicester Giving Day includes three more exciting components. 

 

Throughout the day there will be four Community Hubs operating in the city showcasing organisations that work across four themes: financial poverty, wellbeing and mental health, arts and culture, and career advancement and help to find employment. The Hubs will be open to the public and will offer activities, talks and insight into the work of up to 20 charities. Hubs will be hosted by St Martin’s House Conference Centre, Highcross, The Zinthiya Trust and Soft Touch Arts. 

 

The evening of the 18th November will see the Giving Day Gala, which will feature the winners of the Leicester Social Responsibility Awards and the Community Impact Programme. 

 

The Awards aim to showcase companies and charities that have demonstrated strong partnerships during the past 12 months, while the Community Impact Programme is a new idea designed to assist voluntary sector organisations with great ideas to benefit their community. Following an application process, four winners will be announced at the Leicester Giving Day Gala Evening, and thereafter, supported by Embark CSR to raise funds from local companies and other sources up to a maximum of £25,000 per project. 

 

David Nicholls, a director of Leicester Business Festival Community Interest Company (CiC) said: "We're delighted that Embark CSR is launching this initiative as part of the Leicester Business Festival 2022. Giving back is what Leicester and Leicestershire businesses do so well. A dedicated Giving Day will be a fantastic finale to the two week festival with even more positive outcomes for our community. 

 

"The idea for the legacy programme initiated after attending the festival in 2021, so to see it come to fruition is fantastic. It means the festival can offer year round benefits in support of local communities.” 

 

Voluntary Action Leicestershire will also support Leicester Giving Day. They will be able to advise companies about charities and community groups to partner, as well as playing a role in encouraging and supporting applicants to the Community Impact Programme. 

 

VAL Executive Manager Kevin Allen-Khimani is looking forward to Leicester Giving Day: ‘All of us at VAL are excited for this amazing opportunity to highlight the tremendous work of the voluntary sector. Countless groups are delivering so much for local communities, however they operate just below the radar of many. This initiative will allow for groups to be seen and be supported to continue their vital support to those in need.” 

 

Leicester Giving Day has already drawn widespread support. 

 

Mike Kapur, OBE, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire has given his backing: “Leicester Giving Day is a fantastic idea to help raise funds for local charities and local communities and to showcase the essential work which they do. I hope businesses in the city of Leicester and in Leicestershire will embrace it and take part, which I am sure they will. Leicester has a great reputation as a philanthropic city and Leicester Giving Day will surely help build our reputation. Good luck to all involved.” 

 

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and external affairs Chris Hobson said: “We are delighted to back Leicester Giving Day. Research commissioned by the Chamber in association with the University of Derby in 2020 highlighted that two-thirds of East Midlands businesses engaged in social or community activities – with an increasing number seeing the benefits of giving back.” 

 

Leicester Giving Day is sponsored by the University of Leicester and AKN Build Ltd, and is supported by Cross Productions, Leicester City Council and Cymer Marketing along with Voluntary Action Leicestershire. 

 

For further information about Leicester Giving Day and how to get involved, visit www.leicestergiving.uk