Wilmslow businesses connect with community groups at first networking brunch
Charities and voluntary organisations met local firms to explore opportunities ranging from sponsorship and fundraising to volunteering and professional support.
By Cheshire Today
New partnerships between businesses and local causes could emerge following the first #ConnectedWilmslow Networking Brunch.
The event, organised by Wilmslow Town Council on Friday, September 18, brought companies together with charities, voluntary organisations and community groups working across the town.
Rather than focusing solely on financial donations, businesses were shown a range of ways they could support local projects.
These included sponsorship and grants, helping with fundraising, providing volunteers or professional expertise and donating surplus goods. Longer-term partnerships between companies and community organisations were also discussed.
Around 20 organisations representing a broad range of causes took part.
Among them were HOPE Central, Citizens Advice, Wilmslow Youth, Friends of The Carrs, Wilmslow Clean Team, Transition Wilmslow, Wilmslow High School and In Together Dementia Café.
Sports and youth organisations including Lindow Cricket Club, Wilmslow Phoenix Sports Club and Alderley & Knutsford District Scouts were also represented.
Other groups attending covered areas including environmental projects, animal welfare, epilepsy support and the provision of toiletries to people experiencing hardship.
The brunch gave representatives an opportunity to explain their work directly to businesses and discuss practical areas where additional support could make a difference.
One participating group said it had made useful new contacts during the morning and hoped those conversations would lead to future opportunities.
Wilmslow Town Mayor Councillor Sally Harrison said the event had allowed businesses and community organisations to exchange ideas and explore different ways of working together.
She said she hoped the contacts made during the morning would develop into new partnerships and further opportunities for companies to support projects in the town.
Wilmslow Youth and Wilmslow United Reformed Church provided the venue for the inaugural event.
The brunch forms part of the wider #ConnectedWilmslow initiative, which aims to improve connections between people, organisations and community activity across the town.
Businesses or residents who missed the event can find information about local groups and future opportunities through Wilmslow Town Council’s #ConnectedWilmslow community information service.