Civil Society Minister Rob Wilson in conversation with Dig In North West founder Donna Rowe-Green (right). Looking on are Business Connector Jacky Hohol and Armed Forces Group member Alan MacLellan

The Minister for Civil Society Rob Wilson MP today (8 January 2015) visited a number of  community organisations in Preston that have been supported by Business in the Community’s Business Connector Jacky Hohol.

Dig In North West, the Armed Force Group and Space Centre, all based in the Ashton-on-Ribble area of Preston, have benefitted from the Business Connector programme, a scheme run by the charity Business in the Community which puts talented business professionals into communities of greatest need – allowing them to use their time, networks and expertise to connect the needs of their local community with the resource of local business. The Business Connectors programme has been backed by HRH the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron, is run by charity Business in the Community.

Civil Society Minister Rob Wilson discusses Space Centre plans with Fund Raising Co-ordinator Hilary Holden

Dig In North West Members and guests take a photo call during the Civil Society Minister, Rob Wilson visit. Far right is Business Connector; Jacky Hohol and to the left are Alan MacLellan of the Armed Forces Group, Head of Parks and Horticulture for Preston City Council; Matt Kelly, Minister for Civil Society; Rob Wilson and Community and environment Office Holder; Councillor Robert Boswell. Far Left is Dig In North West founder; Donna Rowe-Green

An amusing moment when Civil Society Minister Rob Wilson meets Dig In North West member Rob Wilson

Preston Business Connector Jacky Hohol has been seconded from Lloyds Banking Group since March 2014 and connected a range of voluntary organisations with local businesses, a number which met the Minister today including:

♦  Dig In North West have had their garden cleared with the support of employee volunteers from Amey            Construction and both gardening and painting support from Lloyds Banking Group.

♦  The Armed Forces Group Preston were connected to Preston council to get a free venue for their charity.

♦  Space Centre partnered with Dig In North West to design a sensory garden, expanding the number of          services that the Space Centre can offer to young people.

The Office for Civil Society, which is led by the Minister Rob Wilson, was the lead supporter of the pilot scheme that led to the development of the Business Connector programme in 2011.

Rob Wilson in one of the multi sensory rooms in the Space Centre with Hilary Holden left and Centre Manager Alison Shorrock

Rob Wilson inspects some of the work being done by Dig In North West members

Rob Wilson chats with one of the Space Centre volunteers

Seconded from her role as a Network Engagement Manager at Lloyds Banking Group, Jacky is one of 118 Business Connectors across the country. Trained by Business in the Community, Jacky is part way through a year building partnerships that tackle the local issues surrounding employment, education, enterprise and social cohesion in Preston.

Jacky has lived in Preston for over 25 years. She said: “The work I’ve been doing since my secondment began has already resulted in lots of ‘connections’, with several charities receiving support which they wouldn’t have received without having a Business Connector in place.”

Have you had any involvement with any of the above community services? Let us know in the comments below.