How business gets involved

The challenge facing any business wishing to deliver a community engagement programme lies in what to do and how to go about it.  Leeds Ahead saves employers considerable time and trouble by providing a single, easy point of access to the most comprehensive range of projects available in the city.

We tailor each client's programme to meet particular business objectives, respecting the resources that can be committed and the budget available.  Not one of our clients has the same programme as any other.

Tackling the toughest issues in our communities demands innovative approaches and this is exactly what the private sector excels at. We advocate creativity and develop new projects between business and the public and voluntary sectors to address market failure. 

We have excellent local knowledge and good connections across the sectors and can thus help our clients maximise the benefits from their community programmes - to themselves and to society.  By using Leeds Ahead, employers connect directly into local networks and can develop a swifter and stronger relationship with the community.

• Since 2007 Leeds Ahead has worked with over 200 businesses and 175 community partners, undertaken more than 700 separate partnership projects and helped in excess of 18,000 individual residents.

  Leeds Ahead offers a value for money outsourced service. We have the resources, experience and expertise to help you get the most from your employee volunteering programme.

  All Leeds Ahead members become part of a vibrant network of like-minded employers with access to an active events programme and opportunities to profile their activities. Everyone receives a membership certificate and the option to feature in our on-line Members' Directory as well as automatic free membership of the virtual enterprise Catalyst Centre.

  Programmes are adaptable to your specific needs and can include:

  • A dedicated project manager and account management services
    
    
  • A range of volunteer opportunities for businesses of different sizes, to suit different levels of staff and time commitments.
    
    
  • A community engagement programme that is tailored to your own objectives as well as help in getting projects off the ground
    
    
  • Excellent opportunities for networking
    
    
  • Reporting annually and on the impact of the programme and your company's activities
    
    
  • Awards to recognise the outstanding commitment and contribution towards the community
    
    
  • Staff surveys and launch events
    
    
  • Case studies and bite sized films 
    
    
  • Bespoke corporate projects and events

  How to get involved?

  Please call us on 0113 246 7877 and our business team will arrange an initial meeting to identify your objectives. Once your programme has been agreed, we will provide ongoing support to put your programme into action.

  To find out more read our FAQ page.
  Our ServicesRead More
• The Audit Commission's Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) report says:

  "The Leeds Ahead approach has ensured that support is better directed to what is important for local people. Businesses have better ownership and understanding of local needs. Employees stay in their jobs for longer, businesses are financially stronger and have better links with local partners. As a result, businesses enjoy better goodwill and reputation benefiting local people and the places in which they live."

   

  What are the benefits to an organisation? 

  1.  Engage your employees and be an employer of choice
  Staff are often critical that employers invest too little back into their local area or community. Community investment provides the perfect opportunity to build and capitalise on staff relations.

  2.  Employee development and recovering staff morale
  There are abundant opportunities for personal development, training and team working through projects in the community; all good for morale, good for recruitment and retention, good for business. Leeds Ahead can provide you with opportunities to enhance transferable staff competencies such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and influencing skills, which are best developed though experiential learning. It is often more cost effective than simply buying training courses

  3.  Opportunities for business and connections
  In addition to networking with like-minded businesses, you can benefit from opportunities to link to the bodies and individuals responsible for the development of Leeds, become more suitable for networking and speaking opportunities and anticipate future legislation. Engaging in voluntering in the community also develops awareness of your service across the city and can be used as a new way to develop partnerships.

  4.  Improve your corporate reputation and boost brand perception
  Community projects are both interesting and newsworthy. Not only can you bring benefit to individuals and communities but there is also the opportunity to be recognised for it both internally and externally.

  5.  Play a leading part in fulfilling the Vision for Leeds 2004-2020
  Sustainable community improvement, better education, better skills and greater economic growth within our city all mean less crime, more talent available to business, less burden on welfare and a better society overall.

   

  What are the benefits to the individual?

  • Develop and enhance skills such as team working, coaching and facilitating others
  • Practical learning and development, building volunteering into personal development plans
  • Increased personal motivation by making a difference to others
  • Learn new ways of doing things
  • Develop a greater sense of diversity
  • Maximise career progression
  What's in it for the business?Read More

Our five key strands of activity are listed below.

• EmployabilityRead More

• Tackling worklessness is a key strategic priority for the city. The need to address the causes of unemployment and incapacity to work spans the entire age range - from school leavers to those nearing retirement. Within deprived communities, individuals need greater support to access employment opportunities because a number of barriers are faced. Businesses can get involved in a range of programmes from confidence building to offering interview practice and work placements.

  For more information on employability projects please email Shelley Riley, shelley.riley@leedsahead.org.uk

• CommunityRead More

• A large number of voluntary and community organisations work across the city to provide vital support and services to local people. Leeds Ahead works with these organisations to identify how business can best support their work. This might involve providing free services or training to a local community project, donating some office equipment or bringing business skills to their boards and management committees.

  For more information on community projects please email Shelley Riley, shelley.riley@leedsahead.org.uk

• EnvironmentRead More

• Despite being a city that prides itself on green spaces there are many communities across the city for which green space is a rarity. These are areas where few dwellings have their own gardens and land often lies derelict. By supporting programmes such as local In Bloom competitions, neighbourhood cleanups and tree planting, business volunteers can have a visible impact on deprived areas. Not only does this improve the areas for the people living within them, it also helps to improve the prospect of inward investment.

  For more information on community projects please email Shelley Riley, shelley.riley@leedsahead.org.uk

• EnterpriseRead More

• One of the key building blocks for a thriving community is the development of local enterprise and all that this brings to an area. Leeds has recently won £20.6m from government to stimulate enterprise in our most deprived communities. Leeds Ahead has the leading role in brokering support to this programme from successful businesses in the city. This might involve mentoring business start-ups or social enterprises or running enterprise days in schools.

  For more information on enterprise projects please email Laura Kilfolye, laura.kilfoyle@leedsahead.org.uk

• EducationRead More

• Educational attainment is a key factor in the ability of individuals to move their lives on and to raise aspirations. Leeds Ahead offers a range of programmes for business involvement in inner city schools to support young people. Increasingly the school curriculum provides opportunities for business to support the development of skills in young people that will make them good employees when they leave school or encourage sector-specific or vocational learning.

  For more information on education projects please email Andrew Jackson, andrew.jackson@leedsahead.org.uk