Press and Publicity
Past articles:
ROBIN showcase
Over 70 people gathered to learn how collaborations across sectors can improve business and the lives of individuals in Oxfordshire. The event hosted by ROBIN highlighted just some of the fantastic examples facilitated by the network.
One of the most moving was told by Paul Freeth, who had been long-term unemployed after encountering a number of personal issues. Aspire, a local organisation that helps people with these sorts of experiences, arranged a short-term work placement through the ROBIN network, with law firm Morgan Cole. This boosted his confidence and self-esteem, so much so that Aspire has taken Paul on to run a new recycling social enterprise. Gayle Curry, partner at Morgan Cole also highlighted the significant benefits this experience brought to the firm and its staff and praised him for his ‘tremendous work ethic’.
The event was hosted by ROBIN in the offices of Blake Lapthorn solicitors in Botley. Attendees representing organisations from across all sectors heard first-hand accounts of the positive effects of collaborations between business, public bodies and voluntary and community groups across the county. Another amazing example was presented by Tim Partridge of Pear Tree Design. He decided to dedicate just a few hours a week visiting residents of the Ley Community who are undergoing treatment for drug and/or alcohol dependency. He taught the residents some publishing and design skills and equipped them with the knowledge to be able to produce their own superb magazine. Wendy Dawson, Chief Executive at the Ley Community said, ‘all the residents really looked forward to Tim’s visits, and that the magazine, ‘was so good that we asked the residents to present the magazine to our trustees’.
Alison Baxter, Chief Executive of OCVA who spoke at the event said ‘The coalition government is talking about a Big Society made up of people and organisations working together to mobilise communities - but ROBIN got there first!’
