The pressures experienced by the voluntary, community and social enterprises is considerable. The need for us to champion, uphold and help this sector is ever apparent, but there are barriers to realising impactful value. To address this, Manchester B Local group partnered with GMCVO to organise Thursday’s event, hosted by x+why, to support local groups and charities. The initiative matched B Corp’s skills, expertise, experience, and resources with the VCSEs to address the challenges faced relating to property, finance, fundraising, social impact, marketing and many more!

Whilst immediate help was offered, we’re also looking to initiate longer-term partnerships.

Organisation of the initiative was prompted by discussions within the B Corp Built Environment Working Group. Members recognised that whilst businesses were keen to deliver benefit within communities, had the policies, funding and time to contribute, this wasn’t always utilised. Sometimes the time taken to identify beneficiaries, and set up relationships outweighed the value realised. Others shared they could only offer a level of support or resource at any one time, so an approach that combined contributions from several businesses would be far more impactful.

In advance of the event, specialist contributions were matched to the needs of VCSEs, who each met 3 B Corps on the day – with some great outcomes and opportunities revealed. Support sessions were interspersed by time to network, and contact details have been shared to enable even wider connections to develop going forward.

Calls to repeat the event were received, so we already plan to run again next year. We’re also looking to extend the benefit by encouraging other members within the B Corp Built Environment Working Group to replicate via their B Local. There are 7 thriving B Locals across the UK, through which this can be achieved. Using Thursday’s event as a pilot, building on its successes and making improvements, the model can now be reproduced with even greater efficiency.

We’ll be sharing feedback and views from some of the VCSEs who attended on the day soon, and hope to report on the outcomes going forward.

The event was instigated by Phil Higham of Real Worth, Penny Anderson of Akerlof and Naomi Burl of Planit within the B Corp Built Environment Working Group. They were joined by Abbey Jones of Real Worth, Annalise Lewis, and Margaret Quinn of Social to organise the event, with graphics and photography by Fiona Finchett of Planit. Many thanks go to x-why who hosted the free of charge from 100 Embankment, which afforded attendees such a magnificent view of our great city.

The following B Corps attended to provide community support: 6 Group, AEW Architects, AG Communications Ltd, Akerlof, Annalise Lewis, Anthesis Group, B Lab, Bennetts Associates, Betternotstop, Brabners, Chiesi, Crystal Doors, Effable, Fine Bedding, Hattrick, Igloo Regeneration, LoveRaw, One+All, Play It Green, RealWorth, Rumpus, SMRS Ltd, Social, Steamhaus, The Behaviours Agency, The Onlii, The Wellbeing Farm, Tyler Grange, Ward Williams Associates, WeMadeThat and Zen Internet