Chamber reveals shortlisted charities
The Burton & District Chamber of Commerce has announced the shortlist for their Charity of the Year 2023.
The Chamber chooses one charity every year to support in their fundraising efforts and help spread the word about the incredible work they are doing within the local community.
The shortlisted charities are;
The BAC O'Connor Centre
Since 1998, The BAC O 'Connor Centre has provided drug and alcohol rehabilitation for hundreds of people. The centre provides person centred care for all users, whether that 's inpatient detoxification, residential rehabilitation, semi-independent recovery housing or recovery services in the community.
The charity employs a multi-skilled team and has produced some of the highest long-term outcomes in the UK.
Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT)
BACT offer a wide range of programmes to inspire, engage and educate the local community. The work carried out by the trust deliver opportunities for everyone from the local and surrounding communities to be involved and get fit, make new friends, or try something new.
The trust maximise all aspects of the participant 's journey, to allow programmes to continue to grow organically and make a greater impact on the local, regional and national agenda.
SARAC
SARAC (Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre) is a charity based in Burton upon Trent offering free, independent and one-to-one emotional support, information and advice. It was formed in 1994 by a group of local women who were appalled at the lack of support for people dealing with the aftermath of childhood/adulthood sexual abuse and/or rape.
Their specialist support is for everyone over 11 years of age who have been affected at any time in their lives. The charity works in partnership with clients to expand their choices, facilitate recovery and encourage personal growth.
YMCA Burton
YMCA Burton is an independent Christian charity committed to helping people at times of need, regardless of gender, race, ability or faith.
They provide a supportive environment for those who are homeless with 71 rooms over three sites with practical and emotional support so that clients can address their past and learn practical skills for the future.
The charity also run a food bank issuing emergency food to those in crisis and have four stores providing affordable furniture for families across Staffordshire and Derbyshire.
Staffordshire Community Foundation
The Community Foundation for Staffordshire is an independent charity dedicated to strengthening local communities across Staffordshire and Shropshire.
They aim to tackle issues of disadvantage and exclusion through the building of permanent endowments and the allocation of grants.
The charity identifies local needs and mobilise local resources. They aim to work closely with other support organisations across the county and with local authorities, for the betterment of the county, whilst remaining non-political.
National Memorial Arboretum
The arboretum is a 150-acre visitor site on the edge of the National Forest in Staffordshire. They ensure the unique contribution of those who have served and sacrificed is never forgotten, the baton of Remembrance is passed on through the generations and there is a year-round space to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost.
The Arboretum welcomes over 300,000 visitors to site each year, including over 20,000 young people for formal and informal learning visits. Visitors can enjoy discovering over 400 memorials nestled amongst some 25,000 trees, experience riverside walks and participate in a wide variety of daily activities.
Richard Brooks, head of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce said: “This is a super opportunity for one our local charities to apply to be our Charity of the year, raise their profile and be the focus of our fundraising activities.
“We know there are many worthy causes here in Burton and the selection process will be a difficult one, inevitably only one will be successful so we would like to highlight and promote those mentioned above who took the time to apply, thank you to you all. ”
The new charity of the year will be announced on Tuesday, 16 May 2023 at the annual general meeting.