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Here are just some of the examples of how businesses, as members of Three Sector Match, have helped the voluntary and community sector. Newland Village Room is badly in need of some attention – in fact it could be in danger of falling down – but thanks to engineers from Moss Kier and Hawkins Insulation, the building could get a new lease of life. Catherine McMahon, the volunteer fundraiser for the Forest of Dean based project said: “Gary and Richard, the engineers, were very informative, extremely professional, and very tolerant of my myriad of questions. The Committee is so grateful for their help and hope that we are now chosen to go the next stage of the Lottery’s People’s Millions”. And, in response to so many similar requests from Third Sector organisations – all asking for help with communication issues, Three Sector Match designed a series of free Tea-time Treats – ‘bite-sized’ sessions to help organisations get their message across. Treat number 1 focussed on writing an effective press release to make sure any news gets noticed. The session was led by the Business Editor from the Gloucestershire Citizen who explained the simple rules any organisation needs to follow if a press release is to make it to the right person, at the right time. Kathee Coonerty, Fundraising and Volunteer Manager from the British Heart Foundation emailed afterwards to say: “a big ‘thank you’ for fitting me into the ‘treat’ this afternoon. I found the information given by Bev really useful and practical. It was a real chance to have time to bounce ideas and fire questions at a member of the press without them constantly looking at the clock. I am sure the suggestions Bev made will make a real difference to how we fire off our press releases in the future”. The second Tea-time Treat following the communication theme, shows how anyone can capture a future funder or partner’s attention in 30 seconds. Delegates, helped by Zurich, developed their own ‘elevator pitch’ ensuring that their organisation grabs everyone’s attention. More Tea-time Treats are planned over the next few weeks when organisations will have the opportunity to design their brand strategy with creative agency, Twentyfive on 26th February and, on 6th March, Trailblazer PR will be leading a session on how to make online PR work for you. A range of companies, together with business entrepreneur Terry Lockwood, have worked collaboratively with the Three Sector Match scheme to help secure the future of the community owned project known as TRAC (Tom Roberts Adventure Centre). Quattro Design Ltd, Saturn Projects Ltd, Paravail Ltd, D7 Consulting Ltd, CNM Engineering, Bruton Knowles and Howarth-Clarke have all supported the development of an adventure facility on this 22 acre site in the Leadon Valley near Newent. Terry Lockwood says “ I don’t think this project would have got this far, so quickly, without our specialist business expertise which ranged from project analysis, architects, quantity surveyors and engineers, critical path analysis and accountants. It’s easy to lose sight of the wider picture when you are operating in the commercial world and working with TRAC has given us all the opportunity to put something back into the community”. Two Gloucestershire businesses have helped a local community group go forward to take their chance in the People’s Millions.
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