Social responsibility for businesses

 There are many different ways for businesses to contribute to their local area. Time and experience is often as valuable as donations and sponsorship, and it's surprising how much difference even the smallest offer can make. But doing the right thing is not just good for society, there are a number of very positive business benefits too:

  • employees are better motivated and more productive
  • it generates positive press coverage
  • good relationships with local authorities make doing business easier
  • understanding the wider impact of your business can help you develop new products and services
  • being socially responsible can make you more competitive and reduces the risk of sudden damage to your reputation

Here are just a few ways that your business can benefit from developing stronger relationships with the local community; and if you have a request that is not covered here then please contact business@rbkc.gov.uk.

 

Kensington and Chelsea Business Partnership

Young people develop exceptional employability skills through working in a business environment, which is increasingly important in today’s competitive marketplace.  The Kensington and Chelsea Education Business Partnership links businesses with young people to provide excellent and inspirational opportunities to help young people prepare for adult and working life. Programmes on offer include:

Kensington and Chelsea Education Business Partnership works with businesses to help them develop their profile in the community and enrich Corporate Responsibility activity. Their programmes are about developing an understanding of the world at work, entrepreneurship, creativity and problem solving, skills and qualities employers want in their future work force.

 

City Living, Local Life

City Living, Local Life is a new initiative where local people, businesses, other community members and your Councillors identify local issues that matter and find practical ways to make your area a better place to live. The programme gives small amounts of money and lots of practical support to the best ideas. The programme is your chance to make a difference to your high street, your area, your neighbourhood - your local life.

 

The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation

While Kensington and Chelsea enjoys the highest incomes and property values in the UK, huge inequalities exist with some areas ranking amongst the nation's most deprived. More than 400 small local charities in the Borough work tirelessly to tackle these issues. Most are unknown to local people.

The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation links local residents and businesses to these charities, uniting the Royal Borough and making life better for us all.

 

Volunteer Centre - Kensington and Chelsea

The Volunteer Centre champions rewarding volunteering opportunities and promotes volunteering as a force for change and social good. Their goal is to promote volunteering opportunities that have a positive impact on volunteers, charities and the community because getting involved in the community makes people feel better about themselves and others.

 

Royal Borough Environment Project

The Royal Borough Environment Project works in partnership with the local community to clean up and improve neglected sites in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. 

The project mainly concentrates on the four northern wards of Golborne, St Charles, Colville and Notting Barns, but also works on projects elsewhere in the borough.

Working with local people and a range of partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, the project aims to:

  • increase local residents’ involvement and pride in their local environment
  • support a diverse range of innovative environmental initiatives
  • improve the appearance and use of "grot spots," and the local area

The project would be interested in hearing from businesses with an interest in sponsoring the environmental improvement of areas of the borough.

 

Business in the Community

Business in the Community are a business-led charity focused on promoting responsible business practice. They and their members work together to transform communities by tackling issues where business can make a real difference. They offer members practical support to help them to integrate responsible business practices wherever they operate.

 

Employee Volunteering

Employee Volunteering offers employees the opportunity to become volunteers in the community with the support of their employer. A brokerage service matches the needs of voluntary organisations with the skills of the employee. Opportunities include membership of management committees of voluntary organisations, providing specialist advice and skills and teamwork projects.