Deeds not words” were the order of the day for the recent Women’s Autumn Lunch held by the County Durham Community Foundation. Over 150 women from leading businesses and third sector organisations, including UMi, celebrated the achievements of local charities supported by the Foundation at the glorious Wynyard Hall in Billingham.
The County Durham CommunitynFoundation is an independent grant-making foundation. It works withnindividuals, families and local businesses who want to put something back intontheir community, either in their lifetime, or through leaving a legacy.
Compére and entrepreneurnCaroline Theobald CBE interviewed selfless volunteers and staff fromnlocal charities Just Handmade, Cheesy Waffles, the BeamishnMuseum, the Teesdale Community Resources Hub, St Johns Hall, WomennToday NE and Building Bloxs – all recipients of Foundationnsupport.
UMi attendees were hugelynimpressed by the event. Julia Hatton, Company Secretary, said thenmagnificent setting and wonderful hospitality were jawndropping, but the tone of the event was very business-like: “Therenwas a clear aim of ensuring that everyone in thenaudience understood what the Foundation was trying to achieve, and thenimportant part every individual and business played in helping to make thosenachievements possible – how every penny counted and made a difference.
“The volunteers bravely talkednabout the work of their charity, describing a scary world hidden from many ofnus, but very real to them, and it made me so thankful that someone was there tonreach out and help.”
Karen Lilley, UMi Service andnInvestment Executive, said she was moved by the passion and loventhat the volunteers have for their projects: “How hard they work tonsupport their local community. How they transform tough lives and nurturenvulnerable and overlooked people and help them to feel valued. How they makensure they get help or education, give them time and draw them back into thencommunities, giving them a value and a place. Amazing.”
JeannRoyal, Personal Assistant to the UMi ExecutivenTeam, also referred to the dedication shown: “What inspired me was the waynthat these women spoke about the charities and the deeds that they have donenor are doing. Their passion was infectious, and it left me wanting tonget active with the UMi fund so that we could have our own story tontell.”
Leigh Alder, UMi HR Business Partner, said: “I don’t think there is enough coverage for small charities in the media. The Community Foundation really shone a spotlight on a few of these amazing charities so that they can continue to make a difference to people’s lives.” UMi Community Manager, Bethan Wright, said the standout for her was the session with Linda Kirk of Just Handmade in Stanley: “They do incredible work in providing women of all ages the emotional education to cope alone. But what affected me was a harrowing, personal story about their loss of a colleague and friend to suicide. It was utterly poignant to hear about their own experience of the devastating impact of depression and suicidal thoughts.”
NickinClark, UMi Chief Executive, said: “At UMi, we are always lookingnfor ways to do more in the community. I went to last year’s lunch and wasnabsolutely blown away, hearing from organisations that weren’t in it fornthemselves – they are in it for everybody else. We didn’t think we werenbig enough to make any sort of difference but have been really encouraged bynthe Foundation to set up a fund – which we’ve just done – so we’re playing ournsmall part.”
