SWITCH UP PRAISES ‘BUSINESS SUPERHEROES’ AS NEW BROCHURE LAUNCHED
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 21 April 2023
UPDATED: 21 April 2023
THE FOUNDER and CEO of Nottingham charity Switch Up, has hailed the Nottingham business community as ‘superheroes’ at the launch of its new commercial brochure, aimed at building more support for the organisation and the work it does with the city’s young people.
Speaking at a Nottingham Partners event on Thursday 20 April, at Trent Bridge’s Restaurant Six, Dr Marcellus Baz BEM praised regional industry partners for helping to tackle youth violence and for giving youngsters a chance to build a positive future through their support of Switch Up. He expressed concern about how demand for the charity’s services continues to be on the rise with continued backing needed to reach the most vulnerable.
Marcellus also helped to launch the Switch Up commercial brochure, created in collaboration with independent property and construction consultancy, Gleeds. It will inform and educate more businesses on the lasting effects of Switch Up’s work and how their sponsorship can help to improve the lives of the city’s young people.
Marcellus Baz said: “In recent years, funding cuts to youth services have had a devastating impact on communities. Coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic and now the cost of living crisis, we are more reliant on finding and partnering with organisations that share similar values to our own.
“The Nottingham business community has stood firm for Switch Up. The backing from companies such as Chord Consult, Morgan Sindall, Gleeds, Rizk McKay Tribe and Cartwright Communications has enabled us to keep the lights on and to keep supporting young people in Nottingham. We are eager to see these collaborations continue, so we can keep delivering and being there for those who need it most.
“This new corporate brochure presents a way for businesses to learn about us and offer support where they can. It's a great option for companies that have a social value commitment to make but want something that has a real impact in their community.”
In 2022, Gleeds helped to raised more than £60,000 for Switch Up after it hosted a fundraising dinner with some of Nottingham’s well-known sporting heroes, working alongside other partners including Rizk McKay Tribe, Chord Consult, Morgan Sindall and Cartwright Communications.
The brochure will give interested businesses an insight into what Switch Up does and how funds will be spent, which includes funding mentorship programmes for specific community groups, maintaining its boxing gym in St Ann’s and its community hub in Mansfield, and training the Switch Up team.
Jon Enever, chief client officer at Gleeds, said: “Gleeds has been involved with Switch Up since 2021, supporting its mission to deter young people away from violence and crime. We have seen firsthand the difference Switch Up is making across Nottingham and Mansfield, through its blend of mentoring, counselling, alternative education, sport and workshops.
“The new brochure showcases how businesses can deliver on ESG commitments whilst aligning with a credible and worthwhile cause. Lots of the young people Switch Up work with are eager to find career pathways, and many of the industries featured, like construction, offer real skills development and employment potential too. We sincerely hope it will encourage more companies from the industry to see the benefit of supporting the organisation.”
