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Press Release April 2008

(14) Youth project boosted by ‘fantastic’ new look

A Blackburn youth project, which mentors young people and their families, is celebrating having one of the best bases in the business. For not only has the Youth Inclusion and Family Mentoring project moved into its own centre, it has also been given an overhaul by decorating experts Graham and Brown.
 
Previously the project was based at the headquarters of Child Action North West (CANW) in Wilpshire — the charity which runs it. International wall covering supplier Graham and Brown, which has its head office in Blackburn, has decorated three rooms at the new base in Strawberry Bank. And it all came about thanks to Blackburn’s Community and Business Partners (CBP), who linked the two up.
 
Gina Chelton, Youth Inclusion and Family Mentoring project manager, said: “The rooms look fantastic, we are really pleased that not only have we got our own base, but it also looks so good for the young people and their families. “The one-to-one therapy room is decorated with cool and calm colours – just right for how it will be used.
 
“Whereas the group work room really has the wow factor, with one wall covered with digital graffiti and another with paper made up of lots of different sized picture frames where the young people can stick whatever they like. The young people were really impressed by it.” Joe Wright, of Graham and Brown, which in Stanley Street, said: “As a company we are committed to supporting community projects in anyway we can, so when he heard that the new base was in need of decorating we were only too pleased to help. “We hope all the young people who access this important project like the new look.”
 
Wendy Hobson, employee community involvement manager at CBP, which fosters relationships between businesses and the community, said: “This has proved to be a fantastic link up where a community group has been able to get exactly what they needed, thanks to a local company.”
 
Gina said the Youth Inclusion and Family Mentoring Project (formerly Action Mentors) had moved to Strawberry Bank to make the project more accessible to young people and to give them more space.
 
The project mentors young people and their families through one to one sessions and group activities, with the aim of promoting positive attitudes, raising self esteem and reducing offending. The young people aged five to 16 are referred through Child Action North West, schools and through the area’s Youth Inclusion Support Panel. Any companies who are interested in helping their local charities and community groups can contact Wendy Hobson on 01254 505050.

Press Release March 2008

(13) Presspart donations go to help the hospice

The East Lancashire Hospice has benefited from a donation of items collected by Blackburn-based engineering company Presspart.Bottles of whisky and wine were among the goods donated by Presspart Manufacturing, which is based at Whitebirk Industrial Estate. It was decided this year that gifts which are usually raffled amongst the workforce, would be donated to charity instead. And with the help of Wendy Hobson, of Blackburn’s Community and Business Partners, the East Lancs Hospice was identified as the ideal local charity for the gifts to go. Harry Grayson, a fund-raiser at the hospice, said the goods would be used as raffle prizes at a ladies luncheon event on June 19, in aid of the hospice, which has to raise £2.2M a year.
 
He said: “We are very grateful and on behalf of the patients, staff and trustees I would like to thank Presspart and Community and Business Partners for their generous consideration.”
 
Don McCombe, operations director at Presspart, said the hospice was an important local facility and the company was pleased to support it. Wendy Hobson, employee community involvement manager at CBP, said it was wonderful to see local businesses supporting the charities on their doorstep. She said: “This is a great example of what can be achieved when local companies and their teams work together in the name of charity”. Presspart is a manufacturer of precision formed metal components for the pharmaceutical and specialist industries. Community and Business Partners, which is at Blackburn Enterprise Centre, Furthergate, is a not-for-profit organisation which forges relationships between businesses and the community.

Press Release December 2007

(12) Youngsters arrive in style for Christmas party

Youngsters from a children’s charity were bowled over when limousines arrived to transport them to a Christmas party, thanks to a Blackburn company. The children from Action Mentors certainly arrived in style for the party at Accrington Superbowl, after the donation of two limousines for the night, from Co-operative Funeralcare. The company came up with the idea after hearing about Community and Business Partners’ ‘Christmas Challenge’ appeal, which aims to spread some Christmas cheer by collecting donations from businesses and residents to give to those less fortunate during the festive season. Accrington Superbowl donated the party for the group of five to 16-year-olds, who are living in difficult circumstances and receive one-to-one mentoring from Action Mentors, which is run by Child Action North West, based in Whalley Road, Wilpshire.

Gary Hoole, manager at Co-operative Funeralcare, in Mincing Lane, said the company was very keen to help with community projects such as this. He said: “We do a lot of community work and have donated the use of the limousines to various good causes. This was a particularly nice project to be involved with as it was for children at Christmas and we were very pleased we could help.”

Gina Chelton, Action Mentor project manager, said all the children were thrilled to have the chance to ride to their party in a limousine. She said: “This was a fantastic donation and added a little extra magic to a wonderful night for the children. We are very grateful to Co-operative Funeralcare and Community and Business Partners for making it happen.”

Wendy Hobson, employee community involvement manager for Blackburn’s Community and Business Partners, said the annual ‘Christmas Challenge’ had been another great success with many companies keen to be involved. She said: “We have had so many donations from community-minded companies which has meant that people who would receive little or nothing this Christmas have had presents and other festive treats and I would like to thank everybody who has been involved.”

Press Release December 2007

(11) Lions roar into action for Christmas challenge

Blackburn Lions have joined a crusade to brighten up Christmas for underprivileged people in the region by donating 50 pantomime tickets. Young people living in difficult circumstances have been given the chance to go and see a performance after the donation to Community and Business Partners’ (CBP) ‘Christmas Challenge 2007- Be a Star…Light up Someone’s Christmas’ appeal.‘Christmas Challenge’ is an annual campaign by Blackburn’s CBP to businesses and residents to hold collections and donate presents, which are distributed to charities. The recipients are often children who would receive little or nothing at Christmas.

Blackburn Lions’ donation of tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at King George’s Hall, was given to Child Action North West, which supports several local charities.These include, Action Mentors, Young Carers, Family Wise and those working with children who are cared for in the community.

Bill Mellish, president of Blackburn Lions, said when members heard about this year’s ‘Christmas Challenge’, they immediately wanted to help.He said: “Every year we give about 300 pantomime tickets away to good causes and when we saw an appeal for the ‘Christmas Challenge’ we decided that some should go to that.“We hope the young people who receive them have a fantastic time.”

Gina Chelton, a project co-ordinator at Child Action North West, which has its headquarters in Whalley Road, Wilpshire, said she was delighted with the donation.She said: ‘The young people are really looking forward to this Christmas treat and I would like to thank Blackburn Lions and CBP for making it happen.”

Wendy Hobson, employee community involvement manager for CBP, said: “This is one of many fantastic donations we have had from the community and I would like to thank all those who have so far come forward to help.” For more information about ‘Christmas Challenge’ contact Wendy Hobson at Community and Business Partners on 01254 505050.

Press Release December 2007

(10) School children's designs go around the world

Primary school pupils saw their designs for Christmas cards drop through letterboxes as far-a-field as America and New Zealand after winning a competition. Haajra Iqbal and Mariyam Arif, both nine, won an annual competition to design a Christmas card for Blackburn’s Community and Business Partners (CBP).

But not only did their design go to hundreds of addresses in Blackburn and surrounding areas, for the first time sponsor Europrint used the children’s designs for their cards, meaning they were sent worldwide. Blackburn’s Scrap Art Material Store (SAMS), which is at Apollo House, Ordnance Street, Blackburn and is part of CBP, organised the competition with St Thomas CE Primary School, Newton Street, where both girls are pupils. Staff from Europrint, in Preston New Road, chose the winning designs, which were made from materials sourced from SAMS, and design studio manager Ged Bratherton said it was a very difficult decision.

He said: “Selecting the winners was a real challenge as there were many good designs which could have been produced as a card, but we felt overall that these two were the best. The finished products looked fantastic and we were very happy to send the cards to our customers and suppliers across the globe.” Joanne Mason, SAMS project manager, said: “We would like to thank Europrint for their continued support with this project. The girls were thrilled and for CBP it’s great to be able to send such a unique card.”

Press Release November 2007

(9) SAMS wins BEA award

An organisation which recycles tonnes of waste from businesses by supplying it to community groups for craft activities has won a prestigious environmental business award. Blackburn’s Scrap Art Material Store won the Business in the Community category in this year’s Lancashire Business Environment Association Awards.

Project manager Joanne Mason said she was delighted that all the hard work that goes into running SAMS, which is a not-for-profit community enterprise, has been rewarded. She said: “We are honoured to have won this award which is in recognition of our contribution to environmental improvements.

“We are all aware of the urgent need to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and this is a great way of doing just that, while also providing a valuable service to the community. “I hope this award encourages other businesses to come forward to support us and help protect the environment.”

Over the two years since it was established, SAMS, which is part of Blackburn’s Community and Business Partners, has collected and recycled £500,000 of waste materials destined for landfill, donated by more than 80 private sector companies. These clean and non-toxic materials are sorted and put on display so they can be supplied to SAMS members, who are schools, nurseries, play groups, pensioners’ groups and other community organisations.

SAMS, which is at Apollo House, Ordnance Street, has been a great success with groups coming from as far a field as Cumbria and Fleetwood to collect materials for craft activities. And it is a win-win situation as businesses improve their green credentials and SAMS also provides work placements for volunteers from Social Services, Supported Employment Services, the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and The Princes Trust. Craft classes are also arranged at SAMS every week for the elderly, disabled, lone parents and the unemployed using the donated materials.

Joanne added: “We could not have come this far if it was not for the many businesses who have seen the advantages of SAMS and have got involved by donating. I would also like to thank all our members who have supported and given the businesses a reason to recycle. SAMS is a fantastic scheme which benefits everybody.” The Lancashire BEA Awards were established as the event for environmentally conscious businesses across Lancashire and this year’s annual dinner and awards evening was held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors.

Press Release August 2007

(7) Rob makes the right call to his Guardian

A fast expanding telecoms company is moving into new premises after placing a call into its Guardian Angel for advice. Rob Scott established Denwa just over 12 months ago but already he has a four-strong team and is currently seeking new sales employees. Rob and the Denwa team have just moved into the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre in Burnley. Says Rob: "The move to the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre in Burnley is a great step forward for the business, as the centre is specifically designed to house technology businesses and it means that we now have room for expansion and can open up new job opportunities."

Denwa offer integrated telecom solutions from some of the worlds leading manufacturers such as Inter-tel and Avaya, including the latest in voice over IP phone systems, digital phone systems and mobile phone contracts for businesses. Before setting up the business, Rob worked in the industry and his career took him as far as Tokyo, Japan. It was a move which provided the inspiration for the company name, as Denwa is Japanese for telephone. Rob originally operated from Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson, but a growing client base has led to this move."Unlike some rival telecoms businesses, Denwa specialise in converged solutions, therefore we work alongside many of our client’s I.T suppliers to achieve highly efficient and cost effective ways of working,” he says.

"I wanted to take the business to the next level, which is where the Guardian Angels Entrepreneurs Network came into the equation. They linked me up with a mentor, David Roberts, who has been able to bring things back into focus and has implemented a clear sales and marketing strategy."Having a mentor like David to discuss things with has been invaluable. He brings an enormous amount of knowledge to the table and then allows you to concentrate on the business at hand." The Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network is run by Community and Business Partners and operates across Pennine Lancashire. It is a free support network, which allows businesses with growth potential to benefit from free advice and guidance from their more experienced mentors. Adds Rob: "My advice to anyone thinking of getting some help from the Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network is, do it! So much can be gained from having someone there who can answer questions from their own experience."

Jane Houghton-Fenning, Business Development Manager for Community and Business Partners, says: "We have increasing numbers of entrepreneurs like Rob asking for our help. We are also currently looking for new Guardians who know the pitfalls because of their previous business knowledge and would be willing to pass on their words of wisdom on a voluntary basis."

Anyone interested in offering their services or simply wanting more details on how to get involved in the scheme can contact Jane by e-mail: jane@cbpartners.org <mailto:jane@cbpartners.org> or ring her on 01254 699910.

Press Release August 2007

(6) Steve Broomhead (CEO of NWDA) visits SAMS

Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Steven Broomhead has helped Blackburn-based SAMS celebrate its third birthday. SAMS (Scrap Art Material Store), which takes commercial waste, like off-cuts and scraps, and recycles it for craft use by its members, was set up in 2004 as a not-for-profit, Social enterprise. During that time it has thrived and members have increased year on year, while visitors numbers have been swelled following the introduction of craft classes — including greetings card making and quilt making.

Mr Broomhead was the organisation’s special guest at an anniversary celebration that included volunteers, members and staff. Joanne Mason, Manager of SAMS, says: “We were delighted that Steven could come along and help us celebrate our three years. He is well known for championing social enterprise businesses like SAMS, so we couldn’t think of a better guest of honour.

“SAMS has come an awful long way since we launched. People come to the store from all over the North West — in fact, we even have people coming from as far away as the Scottish borders to source their craft materials. “We have also had wonderful support from a number of businesses in the area who supply us with their seconds and off-cuts that we can pass on to our members.”

Based in Apollo House on Ordnance Street in Blackburn, the store takes in waste material donated from Lancashire’s business community – from curtains to cotton and from ribbon to rayon. The scrap is then recycled with everyone from artists to schools, community and volunteer groups being able to pick up trolley loads of much-needed materials for a fraction of what it would normally cost. Adds Joanne: “We have everything from unwanted off-cuts of material, through to paper, wood and paint brushes. It’s a real treasure chest of goodies and it is a really useful resource for anybody who is into crafting.”

SAMS, a not-for-profit organisation, is part funded by the ERDF and relies on members – as well as volunteers — for survival. It is open to all types of groups, with membership fees ranging from £10 for students up to £30 a year for a non-voluntary organisation or school. Members then pay a nominal donation for each full trolley load of materials. SAMS is run by Community and Business Partners Ltd, formerly the Blackburn Partnership. To find out more, contact Joanne on 01254 668694.

Press Release September 2006

(5) Jack Straw visits to celebrate SAMS birthday

Blackburn MP, Jack Straw welcomed PA Debbie Hall to SAMS (Scrap Arts Material Store) as she swapped her life of admin at Herbert Parkinson for an arts and crafts role at the Blackburn based store. SAMS is a not-for-profit organisation which takes industry waste such as offcuts and scraps, and recycles them to be used in craft and play in schools, nurseries and community groups of all ages.

And for two days a week, instead of managing Herbert Parkinson’s steering group administration, Debbie will be working at SAMS for the next four months, getting right to the ‘art’ of community creativity. Debbie came across SAMS when her company was involved in another community initiative, the School Friends Project.

Being an arty person herself, Debbie was inspired and decided to get involved in SAMS. “Because Herbert Parkinson is part of the John Lewis Partnership, I was able to apply for an award through John Lewis’ Golden Jubilee Trust which funds partners to do something worthwhile for a local charity,” she explains.

 “It means my employer can carry on paying me as normal and still get someone in to cover the days when I’m not there.” Now Debbie and SAMS manager Joanne Mason hope to get a whole host of SAMS’ initiatives off the ground — and they’re both very excited about the prospect. Debbie explains: “We’re buzzing with ideas. For instance we have just opened SAMS to the general public with a range of courses including a patchwork quilt workshop.”

“By opening the courses and community projects at SAMS which will not just be great fun for the people who take part, but really give people extra skills too.” Joanne, who has managed SAMS single-handedly since it opened, agrees: “It’s going to be brilliant having someone to help because, until now, it’s been impossible to do everything I want to do.” “With Debbie’s help, I know SAMS is going to be an even bigger asset to the community.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about SAMS should visit the website www.samsblackburn.co.uk or call 01254 505055.

Press Release August 2006

(4) Debbie puts her 'art' into SAMS

PA Debbie Hall is about to swap her life of admin at Herbert Parkinson for an arts and crafts role with the Scrap Art Material Store (SAMS) in Blackburn.

SAMS is a not-for-profit organisation which takes industry waste such as offcuts and scraps, and recycles them to be used in craft and play in schools, nurseries and community groups of all ages.
And for two days a week, instead of managing Herbert Parkinson’s steering group administration, Debbie will be working at SAMS for the next four months, getting right to the ‘art’ of community creativity.

Debbie came across SAMS when her company was involved in another community initiative, the School Friends Project.
Being an arty person herself, Debbie was inspired and decided to get involved in SAMS. “Because Herbert Parkinson is part of the John Lewis Partnership, I was able to apply for an award through John Lewis’ Golden Jubilee Trust which funds partners to do something worthwhile for a local charity,” she explains. “It means my employer can carry on paying me as normal and still get someone in to cover the days when I’m not there.”

Now Debbie and SAMS manager Joanne Mason hope to get a whole host of SAMS’ initiatives off the ground — and they’re both very excited about the prospect. Debbie explains: “Joanne and I have plans for courses and community projects at SAMS which will not just be great fun for the people who take part, but really give people extra skills too. “We’re buzzing with ideas. For instance we’re hoping to set up a patchwork quilt workshop, maybe mother and child craft sessions — and activities involving the Asian community. It would be fantastic to get some cross cultural craft going on.”

Joanne, who has managed SAMS single-handedly since it opened, agrees: “It’s going to be brilliant having someone to help because, until now, it’s been impossible to do everything I want to do.
“With Debbie’s help, I know SAMS is going to be an even bigger asset to the community.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about SAMS should visit the website www.samsblackburn.co.uk or call 01254 505055.

Press Release February 2006

(3) Play it again SAMS

The Scrap Art Material Store has to be one of East Lancashire’s hidden gems. Based in Apollo House on Ordnance Street in Blackburn, the store, known as SAMS, takes in waste material donated from Lancashire’s business community – from curtains to cotton and from ribbon to rayon.

The scrap is then recycled with everyone from artists to schools, community and volunteer groups able to pick up trolley loads of much-needed material for a fraction of what it would normally cost.

SAMS manager, Joanne Mason, explains: “We have everything from unwanted off-cuts of material, through to paper, wood and paint brushes. It’s a real Aladdin’s Cave of goodies.

“For our members, SAMS offers a really cost-effective way to stock up on material that would otherwise cost a small fortune. SAMS is also good news for the environment, because we reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.” The biggest problem is trying to spread the word.

“We are a not-for-profit organisation and rely on our members – as well as a small army of volunteers — for our very survival. Once people find out about us and what we are doing here, they are impressed, but we don’t have a huge marketing budget and it isn’t always easy getting the message across. We are constantly looking for new members and for new businesses to supply their unwanted material.” Abdul Salek from Youth on Unity a voluntary group which works with the youth in the Stoneyholme and Daneshouse areas of Burnley is a big fan of the SAMS initiative.

“We work with young people in the local communities on a wide variety of things — drama, music, cookery, arts. Our aim is to try to bring people together,” says Abdul. “Obviously being a voluntary group we don’t have thousands of pounds to throw around that’s why a place like SAMS is so useful. SAMS is a fantastic resource for a project like ours. We can get all sorts and everything there and we can put so much to use in a variety of ways. “We tell everyone we can about it. It is great for groups like us but I’m sure almost anyone would be able to find something useful there. As a group we are committed to recycling as much as possible and that’s another good reason for using SAMS.”

The store also features a Diamond industrial sewing machine worth around £400, which was kindly lent by Hobkirks, the North West’s leading sewing machine specialist.

“Some of the fabric we receive is in substantial pieces, so there’s great potential for creating things, especially now that we have a sewing machine. It also means we can let people come and use the machine if they haven’t got access to one themselves; we can make items ourselves using materials from the store to show people what can be done. SAMS is open to all types of groups, with membership fees ranging from £10 for individuals up to £30 a year for a non-voluntary organisation or school. Members then pay just £10 for each full trolley load of materials. If you are interested in finding out more about SAMS contact Joanne on 01254 505055.

Press Release December 2005

(2) VMI back Christmas appeal

A Blackburn business has ensured local charities enjoy a Merry Christmas by donating a host of chocolate and other goodies to the Christmas Challenge Appeal. Vending machine company VMI, who are based at the Furthergate Industrial Estate asked their suppliers to donate chocolate bars and other treats – while one company donated a luxury hamper which was set to be raffled off item by item to VMI staff.

“We have supported the Christmas appeal for the past few years and this year we asked our suppliers to help out,” says VMI Managing Director Mark Molnar. “The response from the likes of Nestle, Mars, Britvic, Crane Merchandising Systems, Glaxo Smithkline and RPC Tedeco was superb.”

The appeal is being championed by Community and Business Partners and the organisation will ensure that the donations go to a variety of local charities including The Salvation Army. Women’s Refuge and Nightsafe. Any other companies or organisations who would like to follow their example and become involved in supporting local voluntary, community or charitable initiatives, can contact Wendy Hobson at Community and Business Partners Ltd, who organizes appeals throughout the year, on 01254 505055.

Picture: From left to right: Vicki Avery, VMI Account Manager, Mark Molnar Managing Director and Wendy Hobson Community and Business Partners

Press Release October 2005

(1) Jetrest chief lands Guardian Angel award

Michael Robinson — the man behind ergonomic travel gives business Clear Prospects — has won the Guardian Angel Network’s coveted Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Blackburn-based company produces their own design travel gifts, under The JetRest brand name. Michael picked up the award from special guest of honour, Sir Digby Jones, Director General of the CBI, during a glittering awards ceremony at Blackburn College.

“Clear Prospects is a wonderful success story for Lancashire and for the Guardian Angel Network. Michael has made the company into a successful global concern — with a little help from his mentor,” says Amanda Meachin, Chief Executive of Community and Business Partners, which runs the business mentoring scheme.

Clear Prospects was founded by Robinson in March 2001 as a vehicle for The JetRest® luxury travel range. The JetRest a sophisticated travel pillow, designed to support the neck and cushion the head upright whilst the traveller sleeps comfortably. Through its website, the company has delivered to 26 countries worldwide. Marketing Consultant, Dave Roberts, from Burnley was named Guardian of the Year for his work mentoring companies. He received a cheque for £500 and a certificate, which was presented by Sir Digby.

The ‘Words to the Wise’ event, which attracted over 100 businesses and their guardians from across the county, was hosted by Granada TV presenter, Rob McLoughlin. It was backed by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, which was recently named Capital of Enterprise North West, a title which reflected the work done by innovative schemes like the Guardian Angel Network. Trawden businesswomen Wendy Bowers of consultancy Hilton Bowers was one of the guest speakers at the event.

The Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network is a free service for growing companies. It helps them link up with experienced men and women from the business world, who act as mentors offering advice and guidance. Businesses who would like to know more about the Guardian Angel Network, or businessmen and women who feel they could be a guardian, can contact Amanda Meachin on 01254 699910 or e-mail amanda@cbpartners.org

Picture: Guardian Angel Network Entrepreneur of the Year, Michael Robinson, with Sir Digby Jones