Over 40 businesses and community groups gathered at Barnards Green Cricket Club on a sunny morning in April, for a breakfast hosted by Malvern Hills Council, Worcestershire Ambassadors, and Malvern Hills Volunteering.

The free event was an opportunity for businesses in Malvern Hills District to meet local community organisations, and to explore how working together was a great way to develop their businesses and their staff, and make a real difference in their local communities.

After a welcome from Kath Wood on behalf of the Cricket Club, Laura Hewett talked about how community engagement was central to Hewett Recruitment’s work – helping businesses to recruit, engage and motivate staff , and strengthen their brand as an employer. Ruth Heywood highlighted how Onside Advocacy worked with local businesses in providing a wide range of advocacy services to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing and give people a voice in decisions that affect them, and how businesses.

It was then down to networking to explore opportunities and make connections with great feedback:
“really positive to see the enthusiasm in the room from both community groups and businesses alike”
“I just wanted to say how valuable the event was yesterday – great to make contact with businesses and there was a real spirit of collaboration”.

There will be a follow up event later in the year to give more businesses and community groups to make connections so do get in touch to be added to the mailing list:
Contact: Peter Smith, Malvern Hills District Council: peter.smith@malvernhills.gov.uk