Winner of Business in the Community’s Connected Places Award 2019

Barkers & Bolton Family: Delivering social value for vulnerable families by uniting businesses, charities and others to support community projects.

• 40业务的一部分Bolton Family
• Barkers has secured work worth £80,000
• 52 people helped back into work through Working Wardrobe

The Bolton Family group of 40 businesses is dedicated to creating social value for the people in the town.

“Bolton has a proud history of support for those in need and the Bolton Family demonstrably supports the delivery of stronger, cohesive, confident communities in which people feel safe, welcomed and connected.”

Dave Bagley, CEO, Urban Outreach, a Bolton Family member

At its core is an effective mechanism for collaboration between national and local businesses, charities and public sector organisations in Bolton, which has a high rate of social deprivation. All work is aligned to Bolton Council’s 2030 Vision to create stronger, cohesive, confident communities. For example, the Working Wardrobe scheme helps unemployed people with employment mentoring and provision of work clothes. Since June 2018, it has supported 104 people, getting 52 of them back into work.

The Skills For Employment initiative, supported by Bolton Council, helps to secure work experience placements for unemployed people. Bolton Family members, such as Keoghs, Barkers, Life-Scape and Seddon, can use the scheme to access people that are ready for work.

The Seddy Bears Picnic event sees the construction business Seddon invest in a local event, providing packed lunches for kids during school holidays. Asda and Warburtons promote healthy products to families by giving away goody bags.

Barkers, a commercial consultancy, dedicates 50% of profits to various social value creation initiatives, including the Bolton Family. As a result, it has secured work with other Bolton Family group companies to the value of £80,000.

The grounds maintenance social enterprise Life-Scape dedicates 100% of profits to growing its business, employing people from social excluded groups. Support from the Bolton Family has resulted in £75,000 worth of new business.

The information in this impact story has been supplied by Barkers & Bolton Family.

What the judges said…

“An inspiring partnership, recognising and developing creative solutions to local social issues in the most effective way. Barkers & Bolton Family are a compelling example of people coming together from right across the community, with passion, authenticity and trust.”

Oliver Stuart, Managing Director, Global Head of Institutional Securities Group (ISG) Trading Operations, Morgan Stanley