Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry is seeking funding for the City's own version of the successful volunteering programme for businesses - Better Together.  The project will recruit volunteers from Businesses across Plymouth and the commuter belt to work with communities on initiatives to improve the City. 

Gharry Eccles, Managing Director of Wrigleys and Ian Brokenshaw, Chamber Director and partner at KPMG have been taking a lead role in the initiative and The Chamber has appointed Anna Kennedy for 3 months to talk to potential sponsors.

Better Together programmes were started by Business in the Community (BITC) - the National business volunteering organisation - and run successfully in London, Birmingham and Dorset.  They build on a successful project between BITC and The Partnership Academy from 2002-5, which facilitated links between businesses and communities in the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes will benefit from the networking between participants and can also use their involvement to improve their environmental and social impact.  It is envisaged that activities could include links with schools, such as listening to children read, offering work experience and helping neighbouring residents with 'clean-up' projects.

The project is seeking £60,000 to add to the £60,000 pledged by Plymouth City Council.  It will last 3 years and aims to engage 40 businesses in 40 community projects.  Anyone interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact the Project Manager, Dr Tean Mitchell at PCCI.