CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Here at Chris Brain Associates we believe in putting something back into the community in which we live.
That is why we are always keen to find new ways to support community based projects and organisations when we can. Our view is that the UN Sustainable Development Goals should be important to everyone, and that we should all do what we can to find a way to support these goals.
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We can all help in so many different ways, and it does not always have to be about money. Time and skills are precious commodities too.
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We have set out below how we are trying to do our bit to put something back.
Charities work with very limited resources, so everything spent on management is money taken away from operations; they can rarely make spending decisions common to commercial organisations and stretched resources are often focused on service delivery rather than strategic planning.
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The Cranfield Trust has been providing much needed support since 1988, working with charities addressing the most basic issues of poverty, disability and social exclusion. Cranfield Trust volunteers fulfil a vital role, helping these charities to operate in a more business-like way, with systems to support service delivery.
Chris has recently taken up a volunteer position with the Cranfield Trust, and is very much looking forward to providing pro bono management consultancy support to charities in the South West.
One local project in particular is very close to our hearts, which is the Curzon Clevedon Community Centre for the Arts (otherwise known locally as The Curzon Cinema). You can find a bit about this very worthwhile project below. There is a great deal more on their web site, and we have provided a link to it to help you find them.
The Curzon cinema has been at the centre of life in Clevedon, North Somerset, since 1912.
An independent, traditionally run cinema showing mainstream and art house films, it is one of the country’s oldest, continually running cinemas.
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Besides its stunning auditorium, the Curzon has a lounge bar, serving drinks and snacks, with public wifi, and workshop and meeting spaces all available for hire.
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Alongside the film programme, it hosts live comedy, music and performance and are fully engaged with youth, arts and other organisations, including taking cinema out to residential homes.
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Inside a little-changed building, the cinema can boast the world’s longest run of skelionite (1920s tin paneling) and a unique collection of historic film equipment, offering heritage value, locally, nationally and internationally.
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With support from a dedicated team of volunteers, the Curzon provides a warm welcome for all.
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Chris and Sue are both volunteers at The Curzon,
Sue is a volunteer usher and also been involved in the past as a volunteer as part of the Curzon's FRONT ROOM CINEMA initiative., which literally brings the big screen into people's front room. The Curzon takes cinema out into the community, visiting Residential or Care Homes in North Somerset.
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The project happens thanks to generous donations from Nailsea Lions, the Rotary Club of Clevedon Yeo, Portishead Lions Club and others. The project, with equipment bought through funds from St. Monica’s Trust and Quartet, was set up in 2017 after a pilot year.
In 2017 alone The Curzon held 18 screenings and entertained more than 350 elderly people, adults with learning disabilities and youngsters from Children’s Hospice South West.
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Chris is a heritage tour guide, providing people with a backstage tour of this historic local community facility. In the past Chris spent over 10 years as a Director on the Board of the Charity that owns and operates the Curzon.
As well as fulfilling her duties here at Chris Brain Associates, Sue is also an active volunteer with two other organisation, SSAFA and Independent Age.
You can find out more about these two great organisations from the web links below.