Celebrity Chef to Rustle up Support

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 26 August 2014

UPDATED: 26 August 2014

Celebrity chef Mark Lloyd is to host an evening reception in Heanor, Derbyshire to encourage crucial support for NORSACA, the largest specialist autism charity in the East Midlands.

On Tuesday 9th September NORSACA’s Mundy Street Day Service is hoping to welcome around 50 invited guests for an evening of networking, culinary demonstrations and tastings with TV chef Mark Lloyd.

Mark appeared on TV show River Cottage during his tenure as the River Cottage Canteen’s Head Chef. He has also appeared on TV shows: Great British Waste Menu, Market Kitchen, and Hairy Bikers, and is about to start filming his own new series.

The event will give businesses a chance to get to know more about NORSACA, the largest specialist autism charity in the East Midlands, and learn about the different ways they could benefit from working with NORSACA as part of a wider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

Melanie Howard, Fund Generation Manager at NORSACA wants to encourage, promote and explain the importance of CSR and the opportunities available with charities, she comments:

“There is often confusion over CSR within businesses, with many not appreciating the range of activities and areas it encompasses and how it could benefit their organisation.  A successful CSR programme can become an invaluable part of a business, whatever its shape and size. Most companies are missing opportunities to add value to their business through CSR and would benefit from being more proactive.”

CSR should be part of the fabric of a business. There are clear things to consider, but there are many benefits:

83% of people will trust a company more if it is seen as socially and environmentally responsible2
Companies with a public commitment to CSR on average perform better on 3 out of 4 financial measures than those without3.
Companies with a public commitment to CSR also have over 18% higher profits on average4.
93% of CEOs see CSR as important to the future success of their business5.

Melanie continues:

“It’s important to remember that CSR is not philanthropy; currently, companies are statutorily obligated to record their charitable donations if the total exceeds £2000 in any one year. Across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, only eight companies recorded donations in excess of this amount1. (Nottinghamshire 5, Derbyshire 3.)

“I cannot stress enough the importance of CSR.  There is potentially massive commercial benefit for businesses to engage with charities and the local community, through partnerships that deliver positive social impacts, as well as financial and reputational benefits to businesses.

"From a charity’s point of view it’s not just about money – however, in the current climate of budget cuts centrally, regionally and locally, funds are always welcome.

 "Through partnerships charities can access the fundraising potential of employees, and skills and assets that a company may have at its disposal. A lot of charities are starting to recognise the importance of that.

“There have been so many successful CSR programmes in the East Midlands and its important everyone understands the benefits of CSR for both businesses and charities.”

“Our evening reception with Mark Lloyd is a great opportunity for us to thank people who have supported us in the past, as well as welcoming some potential future supporters to NORSACA.  On the evening we will announce details of specific projects both businesses and individuals can support, as well as information on how they can help.”

NORSACA offers a wide range of services designed to support people affected by autism, including family services, a specialist school, and outreach and supported living services, as well as residential and day services for young people and adults with autism.

NORSACA also runs specialist training for parents and professionals. It operates one of the very few autism-specific diagnostic and assessment centres in the country.

For more information on how to get involved in supporting NORSACA or to register to attend the Mark Lloyd event please call Melanie Howard on 0115 976 1805 or email melanie.howard@norsaca.org.uk or visit the website - www.norsaca.org.uk

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