April’s Chesterfield Champions Event Highlights The Importance Of Corporate Social Responsibility

Home to the town’s much-loved Chesterfield Football Club, the Technique Stadium provided the ideal venue to host April’s Chesterfield Champions event. With a focus on how businesses can get involved with local organisations as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR), the event invited guest speakers to discuss relevant initiatives making an impact within the community. After the speeches, attendees were then encouraged to network with attending businesses and organisations to find out how they can support upcoming initiatives.

Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust

Beginning the morning with a speech about how the Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust is bringing football to the wider community, Chief Executive Officer, John Croot, revealed that the Technique Stadium’s on-site classroom has helped children on the verge of exclusion get back into education. Emphasising the importance of football to the residents of Chesterfield, Croot proudly explained that since launching the sport in 2011, walking football has become the fastest growing sport in the country. Encouraging those aged 50 and over to become more active and social, the sport offers players the opportunity to develop new skills and gain confidence.

 Walk Derbyshire

Building on Croot’s belief in the benefits of exercise, Walk Derbyshire’s Lead, Heather Clarkson, spoke about the organisation’s 3-year initiative to get Derbyshire walking more. Founded after discovering that ⅓ of people in Chesterfield walk for less than 10 minutes a month, the ‘Walk and Talk’ and ‘Run Walk Talk’ walking groups aim to bring residents together to complete low-impact exercise in a sociable environment. Clarkson also expressed the significance of incorporating walking into the working day to increase productivity. In order to do so, Clarkson suggested that businesses could implement ‘walking meetings’ into the working week or even volunteer as a ‘Walk Champion’. This could involve walking with a neighbour to the supermarket and assisting them with their shopping, or simply meeting another Chesterfield resident who lives alone for a friendly chat whilst walking together.

 Spire Radio

Reflecting further on how businesses can get involved with community charities and initiatives, a specialist panel of relevant local representatives participated in a discussion about community in the workplace. Spire Radio’s Presenter of the David Freeman Show, David Freeman, revealed that the radio station is attempting to engage the local community in new, innovative ways. One such method involves interviewing members of the public to give them a voice as part of their ‘Chesterfield Chat’ segment. Freeman also encouraged any willing Chesterfield Champions and Chesterfield charities to join him at Spire Radio for an interview. In doing so, the wider public are able to learn about important initiatives, organisations and events within the town and discover how to get involved.

Junction Arts

Further discussing the importance of uniting the community through outreach projects, Project Coordinator at Junction Arts, Jane Wells, spoke passionately about bringing together residents through the arts. Organising regular events across Derbyshire to support the more vulnerable and isolated residents, Junction Arts believe in making art accessible for everyone. Setting out the charity’s approach for the year, Wells mentioned the exciting upcoming Six Pillars project. Aiming to support the emotional health and wellbeing of young people across North East Derbyshire, the project will invite 11-18 year olds to experience art taster activities, workshops and residencies.

 The Accountancy And Recruitment Group

Offering a corporate perspective on community engagement, Director of The Accountancy and Recruitment Group, John Smith, expressed his belief that all businesses have a shared corporate social responsibility. Choosing to involve the company with volunteering opportunities at least once per quarter, Smith has assisted with a canal cleanup, recycling project and CV training for young people in local schools. Championing the personal sense of fulfilment achieved by contributing to the community, Smith also believes that from a corporate perspective, working with charities also positively impacts your company’s reputation. Seeing your company actively making an impact in the town can often draw clients to your business; it is beneficial on a personal, social and professional level.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital: Urgent And Emergency Care Development

Reflecting on the panel discussion, Associate Director of Communications for the NHS, Karlie Thompson, and Project Director, Dr Anthony Kenny, updated attendees on the groundbreaking Urgent and Emergency Care Development at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Built with the wellbeing of staff in mind, the comprehensive £27 million project includes modern showers, changing rooms and social spaces for hospital staff to unwind after a stressful shift. Boasting state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities, the colour-coded layout makes the hospital building accessible for neurodiverse and neurotypical patients alike. Investing £2 million in a Health and Wellbeing Hub, Thompson and Kenny revealed that staff will have tailored support in the form of on-site counsellors and fitness facilities.

Rosewood Roundup

Leaving the event, I felt reassured that the businesses of Chesterfield have a genuine passion for making a social impact within the town. As a client-centric company, Rosewood has always felt a responsibility to support local charities and community initiatives. Echoed throughout the speeches and networking facilitated by the event, it was refreshing to hear that other businesses share the same desire to make a real difference to the wellbeing and lives of Chesterfield residents.