The Voluntary Sector Unit and the Welsh Assembly Government recently held three important events, as part of the Carmarthenshire contingent on engaging businesses in partnerships with the Third Sector. The events were held nationally in partnership with Business in the Community, WCVA, Community Foundation of Wales and the Institute of Fundraising.

From Left to Right: Peter Davies, Roy Norris (Institute of Fundraising), Amanda Jones (LBS Builders Merchants), Owen

Evans (Business in the Community), Philip Evans (LBS Builders Merchants), Raine Larcher (Welsh Local Government

Association), John Duggan (WAG), John Gravell (Castell Howell Foods), Liza Kellet (Community Foundation of Wales),

Jackie Balboni (Corus), Cris Tomos (CAVS), Mark James (Carmarthenshire County Council). 

The workshops drew on the experience of the partner organisations, the findings from research with the voluntary sector and business in Wales and the lessons from the pathfinder project lead by us, here in Carmarthenshire, called Corporate Challenge.

Peter Davies leads one of the workshops at The National Botanic Garden of Wales. 

The Strategic Action Plan for The Third Sector clearly sets out the strong case for action to develop closer links between the voluntary sector and business, both to increase the sector's capacity, and to maximise the business advantages from community engagement.

Richard Brunstrom, Chief Constable, North Wales Police. 

The business sector can contribute in a variety of ways to strengthening the Third Sector, providing a major source of volunteers through employee volunteering schemes, expertise especially in relation to business and financial management and facilitate ‘payroll giving' schemes, as well as of course providing sponsorship and other forms of funding.

Helen Martin (Giving Sir Gar Project Officer) & Peter Davies at St. Asaph.