The Alacrity Foundation has joined forces with Business in the Community (BITC) to spearhead a Christmas toy campaign which it says will be “bigger and better” than one they ran last year.
The tech start-up hub is part of BITC’s Newport Place Programme, a collaborative initiative designed to drive positive change by bringing together businesses, community organisations, and public sector partners.
Launched to address local challenges, the programme focuses on improving social and economic outcomes through targeted projects that align with the specific needs of the community.
Last year, the Alacrity Foundation collected gifts for children who might not otherwise receive anything during the festive season. This year, they are planning for the appeal to be “bigger and better.”
Hannah Williams, Chief Executive of the Alacrity Foundation, said:
“It’s really important to me, because the impact on people’s lives was huge last year. I remember taking my children around to give out presents to the parents so they could wrap the presents themselves. It was just so heartwarming.”
The Alacrity Foundation became involved in the programme via its Chair, Professor Simon Gibson, CBE, DL, who is also Chair of the BITC Newport Place Programme Board.
Hannah believes the power of the Newport Place Programme lies in the fact that it brings together businesses and asks them to utilise their connections and influence to support local communities, beyond simply providing financial aid.
To date, The Alacrity Foundation’s work with the programme has also included practical, day-to-day support for organisations like Eden Gate, a charity supporting homeless people in Newport. By leveraging its networks, Alacrity has delivered valuable resources to Eden Gate, from facilitating workshops on computer literacy to organising garden transformations.
Hannah said:
“We helped with getting the garden sorted. That saw me speaking to a friend who owns a garden centre and saying, ‘I need a load of plants donated’. As a result, the guests at Eden Gate have an area to go to that they have ownership of because they’ve actually built it themselves.”
Small gestures have also made a big difference. When Eden Gate faced mounting parking fines, Alacrity stepped in to offer a solution.
Hannah explained:
“Instead of the charity spending potentially hundreds on parking tickets because they needed to park outside their premises, they use our car park. There’s no cost to us, but it’s a huge benefit to the charity.”
The Alacrity Foundation’s contribution to the Newport Place Programme demonstrates how businesses can create meaningful change by sharing resources, fostering networks, and offering hands-on support, said Hannah.
“Being a part of the Newport Place Programme means you feel part of a big change and a bigger community,” said Hannah. “Otherwise you’d be in your own little business bubble, doing your daily stuff without really adding value at a proper grassroots level. You’re not giving a chunk of money to a charity that gets diluted around the UK. You’re physically seeing and feeling change within your area.”
Looking ahead, Hannah hopes the programme can foster long-term transformation.
“If in 10 years’ time one person says, ‘I remember Business in the Community and how that initiative shaped my family or changed my life growing up,’ and now they’ve gone off to be super successful and can give back, then we’re in a brilliant situation. It’s an evergreen model.”
She added: “People don’t always need stuff. Sometimes they just need support and mentorship, and that can go a huge, huge way towards changing an area.”
Encouraging other businesses to join the BITC Place Programme, Hannah said:
“If more businesses want to get involved, just reach out to absolutely anyone who is already involved – there are so many partners to connect with. It’s brilliant for your network as well as helping each other. You do feel very humbled. I love it.”
To contribute to The Alacrity Foundation x BITC Christmas Appeal visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/NewportChristmaspresentdrive?utm_term=xgvRdRdN3
