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National Business Response Network matches 165 community needs in the North East with business support

Bytomgarciabridgeman

Jun 28, 2020

There have been nearly 1200 matches between business offers of support and schools, charities and local community groups across the UK have been made, since the start of the Covid-19 crisis

Food by far has been the most matched request in the North East with offers of support from businesses

Food, technology, clothing and skills support are the biggest community needs nationwide, which urgently require more support from businesses

    • Food: Ensuring people have continued access to food
    • Technology: Support to enable children to continue learning, and older people to stay connected to families
    • Community support: Support to vulnerable groups and older people to enable continued access to food, healthcare, social interaction and other essentials
    • Small businesses: Creating resources with advice and practical tools specifically for small businesses; providing business continuity and wellbeing support through mentoring for small businesses

      Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Business Response Network has made nearly 1200 matches between local community groups, schools and charities and UK businesses that have been able to meet their urgent needs during the crisis.

      In the North East, this equates to 165 matches with recipients. A recent example of a match in the North East is:

      • Evershed Sutherland donated £1000 to Changing Lives. The donation is contributing to the purchase of mobile phones and iPads for vulnerable adults during the COVID-19 crisis.

      The National Business Response Network was launched in April by Business in the Community, a charity and The Prince’s Responsible Business Network with over 750 member companies. Since its launch, it has received a total of £2 million investment from AXA and the London Stock Exchange Group, with each contributing £1 million to accelerate the initiative.

      The network focuses its activity on four key areas helping communities navigate their way through the coronavirus pandemic: