Award-Winning Community Partners
For over 13 years, Streetwise HR has been part of the vibrant BCP community, dedicated to enriching the community where we and our clients belong. We are committed to several charities and community initiatives, not only giving our time but also investment and expertise.
Our go-to charities have been picked as they best align with what we’re all about - people, progress and positive impact. By weaving this ethos into our organisational structure, we ensure that giving back remains a fundamental aspect of our everyday work.
Dorset Business Awards 2024: Community Partnership Award Winners
Our chosen charities:
The Boo Charity
The Boo Charity is where we flex our international muscles, with this zero-admin charity having roots in BCP but its heart in Kenya. Giving opportunity, not charity to over 500 students each year, we love the charity’s ethos in both providing early years education and life skill training for impoverished adults - with a view of gaining education, empowerment and employment.
Under the chairperson’s guidance (our awesome founder, Debbie) we see a lot of magic happening in the young people’s lives. After a trip to Kenya in 2022, we’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact Boo is having. We’d encourage you to take a look at their website and have a read, because the few words we have here just doesn’t do it justice.
Putting all the governance and boring bits to one side, over the last 4 years Debbie has organised several fundraising events. Boo Ball, Golf Days, Birthday Bashes, the list goes on... these events account for 75% of donations, so they’re a vital component for keeping our work going in Kenya.
Russell Hicks, Founder of The Boo Charity
“As a zero-admin charity, we are 100% reliant on the goodwill of our supporters and volunteers and we have been so grateful for the advice and support Debbie has given us over the last few years. With her background, Debbie is able to assist us with ensuring our governance is up to date and puts a lot of time and effort in helping organise all of our events and also rallying after the rest of us which can be a challenge in itself.”
Debbie in Kenya, volunteering for The Boo Charity
The Parks Foundation
As wellbeing champions and an office of dog mums, we couldn’t live without our greenspaces. Debbie serves as a trustee for The Parks Foundation, where we collaborate in strategic planning and provide pro bono HR support for the Foundation and the staff. Why? Because this role allows us to bring our professional expertise to the community service sector, creating a more efficient and impactful organisation. And more awesome parks mean an even more awesome community!
Interim CEO, John Hanssen –
“Debbie has been a trustee at The Parks Foundation since April 2021. She has been a keen and enthusiastic member of our Trustee board, bringing expertise in HR that has been invaluable to us. As our charity has grown, introducing a trading arm and with that more employees, Debbie has been a sounding board for HR related matters, providing advice and guidance. More recently, as our numbers have risen to 27 staff, Debbie has, through her business, Streetwise HR, been helping us set up a new online system, and stepping in with HR matters. Moreover, Debbie is a great support to me in my role at Interim CEO."
Junior Parkrun
Armed with a 'can-do' spirit, Debbie has helped to kick off Junior parkrun at her local park. As co-event directors, we’re not just sponsoring, we’re all hands on deck - from covering start-up gear to rallying everyone, no matter the weather. Considering we started from scratch just a few years ago, we now have 90 regular runners. Seeing them beat their PBs, receive their milestone wristbands, wear the milestone capes and keep coming back makes it all worth it for us!
Don’t take our word for it! Here’s what Kirsty Weston, Slades Junior parkrun Ambassador has to say about it....
“The event is run entirely by volunteers and overseen by two Event Directors, for Slades this is Emily and Debbie, who ensure that the event is run safely each week, recruit the required number of volunteers, train the volunteers on the morning and inject a liberal dose of fun into each event. All of our Event Directors give up their time to ensure the event happens every week and supports the local community. Slades Junior parkrun has been going for three years and is now an unmissable event for juniors and parents.”
In May 2023, Debbie received the BCP Chairman’s Community Award, alongside another volunteer, for their active contribution to the local community.
Stars Football Academy
On the theme of parks and wellness, we couldn’t help ourselves and have recently become proud sponsors of the Starts Football Academy's Under 6 Academy team. This decision wasn't just swayed by their away kit matching our signature Streetwise colour or having a little superstar on the team. Beyond the colours, it's the club's ethos that truly captivated us - their commitment to fostering a sense of community through sport resonates deeply with us. It's initiatives like these that remind us of the powerful role sports play in bringing people together, nurturing a healthy, vibrant community spirit.
Goal 17
More recently, Katie has dedicated herself as a mentor for a young adult, part of Goal 17. As young adults leave the care system, they need a big sister figure to call on – be that how to roast a chicken or needing help with a job application. Drawing on her Mental Health First Aider qualification and years of mentoring experience, Katie is well-equipped to help support someone through these challenges.
Our own community: The HR Sounding Board
A non-stuffy, accessible club for HR professionals. As a team of HR Gurus who have been in stand-alone roles, we know the power of having a sounding board - having a call a friend lifeline, someone to bounce ideas around with and having a safe space with likeminded individuals who just get it. Combining the best of both worlds, The HR Sounding Board offers a blend of in-person events and an interactive online forum. From intimate peer group discussions to larger seminars focusing on hot topics like Tribunals, Agile HR, and spotting those Employee Red Flags—we cover it all, minus the jargon.
The HR Sounding Board on Employee Red Flags
Okay that’s enough tooting our horn, now putting the spotlight back on you. Deciding who to support and how to go about it can indeed be daunting, but the secret is to weave community partnership seamlessly into the fabric of your business strategy. This might manifest as donations, fundraising efforts, or volunteering time.
If you’re looking for guidance on crafting a community support plan that aligns with your business values and goals, our experienced team is eager to assist. Don’t hesitate to reach out - we'd be happy to partner with you on this rewarding journey.