The Launch of Connect Dacorum PDF Print E-mail

Held at the Apsley Paper Trail
On Friday 12th May 2006

The launch of the change of name of Dacorum Borough Council’s Corporate Social Responsibility project to Connect Dacorum, together with it’s reporting move changing to the Dacorum CVS, took place at a networking lunch at the Apsley Paper trail on Friday 12th May 2006.

The event started at 12.30 pm with a networking session with local businesses and charities swapping details and generally socialising. This was followed by a free buffet lunch and more networking.

Dacorum companies at the conference were

  • Arlington UK
  • Dacorum Borough Council
  • The Hemel Gazette
  • Hillier Hopkins
  • HSBC
  • Maurice Phillips Associates
  • Northgate IS
  • Pickworths Solicitors
  • Silpa Training
  • Vertical Link
  • ZTW Signs.

Local charities attending were Age Concern Dacorum, Dacorum Community Trust, Community Action Dacorum, Dacorum Mencap, Dacorum School Sports Partnership,  Volunteer Centre Dacorum, Hemel Rotary Club, Home Start Dacorum, Iain Rennie Hospice, Paradise Furniture & Training, & The Apsley Paper Trail.

We then all moved to the conference room for the guest speeches. Jeoff Colls ( Connect Dacorum Manager ) started with a summary of the ways that companies can help the community. He also gave a list of benefits that a company can receive by joining Connect Dacorum. Jeoff then introduced the guest speakers:

Jacquie Campbell
(Director of Community Partnerships and Housing for Dacorum Borough Council) 

Jacquie explained how the CSR project came into fruition back in February 2004. She then mentioned some of the many CSR activities that DBC have been and are still involved in and how they benefit both the organisation and the employees. Jacquie concluded by explaining that although the Connect Dacorum project has transferred to the Community Action Dacorum, Jeoff is still based at the Civic Centre which DBC is pleased to provide him with accommodation and assistance free of charge.

Mark Mitchell ( Chief executive of Community Action Dacorum)

Mark welcomed the Connect Dacorum project to the CAD and then explained how CSR from the local businesses makes a huge difference to the community.

Jeoff then introduced speakers from three Dacorum companies. The goal was to get the views from a large company, a medium sized company and a small company.

David Heath ( Operations Manager for HSBC Customer Contact Centre )

 

David gave an overview of the global HSBC operation together with a more detailed explanation of the Hemel operation. He covered the environmental achievements of HSBC and then described all of the local community projects that they are currently involved in.

Grant Franklin ( Partner at Hillier Hopkins Accountants )

Grant explained that he chaired the Local Strategic Partnerships sub-committee that has guided both the CSR project over the last two years and also chairs the new LSP sub-committee for Connect Dacorum. He then went on to inform the audience of their CSR activities and the benefits to their staff and company.

Jane Hammond ( Owner of Vertical Limit )

Jane spoke of her initial meeting with Jeoff back in 2004 and how between them it was decided that Jane would offer her considerable keep fit experience to Age Concern Dacorum for two half hour sessions per month for their elderly residents. Caroline  Player of Age Concern also mentioned the benefits that Jane had  Brought to her charity.