National ambassadors, a new podcast series, a dedicated PR campaign and consumer research will all play a part in the run-up to Power to Change’s annual celebration of community businesses, Community Business Weekend 2020.
The annual open doors event, which will run from Thursday, May 14 to Sunday, May 17, will have an environmental theme for 2020. Community businesses, their customers, staff and volunteers will be able to share success stories and swap ideas on how to improve their local neighbourhood, on the small steps that can help to solve the global climate crisis.
There are 9,000 community businesses across England, and they can organise a huge range of events to mark the occasion. Previous years have seen street parties, community business tours, free taster classes, inspiring debates, volunteer sessions, markets and grand openings of new businesses.
Charlotte Cassedanne, Head of Communications at Power to Change said: “This year, we’re celebrating how community businesses are climate confident, and can help local people take small local actions to tackle the global climate crisis. From saving bees, to generating renewable energy, growing food locally to preserving green spaces, the 9,000 community businesses in England are making a difference.”
For this year’s celebrations, Power to Change has recruited nine specialist ambassadors representing every region of England, to mobilise their local communities and encourage even more people to take part. These include Sacha Bedding, Chief Executive of The Wharton Trust, a community centre in Hartlepool, Dan Harris, Director of Bee Saviour Behaviour Ltd in Norfolk, and Alison Belshaw, who has helped to establish The Community Farm, Buzz Lockleaze and the Red Brick Building in the South West.
Power to Change will also be working with award-winning integrated agency BJL on the PR for the event, and will be conducting social and marketing activity in-house, led by the trust’s growing communications team. The trust will also be launching a new podcast series in time for the weekend, produced with podcast agency Pixiu.
To take part and receive an activity pack and ideas for events, community businesses should register their interest at www.communitybusinessweekend.org. Members of the public who would like to get involved can find their local community business using an interactive map on the same website.
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