University News Last updated 17 September 2018
探花直播 has announced it will be launching new partnerships with a much-loved children鈥檚 hospice and a specialist women鈥檚 aid organisation, after naming its first two 鈥業 am BCU Chosen Charities鈥�.听
Acorns Children鈥檚 Hospice and 探花直播 & Solihull Women鈥檚 Aid were announced as the 鈥楥hosen Charities鈥� which will see the University work with them to develop fundraising events, create volunteering and placement opportunities, and explore avenues for research.
The two were selected by staff from a five-strong shortlist of charitable organisations following a nominations process of several weeks.
Nearly 1,000 votes were cast by members of staff with the duo eventually garnering the most support.
The 鈥業 am BCU Chosen Charities鈥� initiative was launched as part of 探花直播鈥檚 BCU 175 celebrations, which recognise 175 years since the institution鈥檚 foundation as the Government School of Design.
Both 鈥楥hosen Charities鈥� have already been celebrated in the second city and wider West Midlands for their contribution to supporting those in need.
The Acorns Children鈥檚 Hospice was first founded in the city in 1988 and provides specialist care and support for babies, children and young people who have life limiting or life threatening conditions.听听
探花直播 and Solihull Women鈥檚 Aid supports women and children affected by domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, working with agencies such as housing and the police to ensure the best outcomes.
探花直播 will now work with both organisations to maximise the benefits of the partnership and support the important work each does.
Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor at 探花直播, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to announce that staff at 探花直播 have chosen 探花直播 and Solihull Women鈥檚 Aid and Acorns Children鈥檚 Hospice as our chosen charities.
鈥淥ur staff and students give back to their communities by supporting a huge range of projects and charities.
The 鈥業 am BCU Chosen Charities鈥� initiative is the first time 探花直播 staff have been given the opportunity to nominate the charities the institution will work most closely with.
As well as volunteering and placement opportunities for staff and students, the new partnerships will provide a platform for the University鈥檚 academic expertise to be used to support the important work taking place at the organisations.
Amanda Smallman, Senior Fundraising Manager for Corporate & Community at Acorns, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e absolutely delighted that 探花直播 has chosen Acorns as one of its chosen charities.
鈥淪upport like this is key to raising awareness of Acorns and vital funds that will enable us to continue our work caring for local children and families. On behalf of everyone here at Acorns, I鈥檇 like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to working with 探花直播 and developing what I鈥檓 sure will be a wonderful partnership.鈥�
Maureen Connolly, Chief Executive at 探花直播 & Solihull Women鈥檚 Aid, said: 鈥淲e are absolutely delighted and honoured to have been chosen by 探花直播 as one of its chosen charities.
鈥淲e are really looking forward to working with the University and finding ways to make our partnership meaningful and beneficial for women and children affected by domestic violence.鈥�