Councils, Britain in Bloom groups, horticulturalists and community organisations are being offered a free guide with advice on how to attract sponsorship for initiatives to improve Britain’s public spaces.
The 30 page booklet has been produced by Amberol, who manufacture self-watering planters and street furniture such litter bins, benches and picnic tables, all made from recyclable or recycled materials. The guide is free from Amberol on application.
Sections include advice on attracting sponsorship from businesses and other groups, with suggestions for ways of approaching organisations, raising awareness and putting a sponsorship structure in place. The booklet also explains some of the forms of grants and funding available, as well as including a range of case study examples from Britain in Bloom groups and organisations who have successfully used sponsorship to fund a range of improvement projects.
Patience Atkinson-Gregory, Amberol’s managing director, explains the reasons behind creating the sponsorship guide. She says: “There’s a lot of hard work that goes on around the UK to keep communities looking attractive.
"Although much of that work is voluntary, it does cost money to buy plants, containers, tools and important items such as litter bins. In our experience, businesses are often happy to help, but they aren’t sure how to go about it. After all, a well-kept and good-looking environment benefits everyone and can help improve the economic prosperity of a region."
Councils and community groups are continuing to struggle with funding issues and budget cuts, so many organisations are looking for positive ways to involve businesses and other sections of the community in improving their environment.
“Many of our customers use commercial sponsorship to help fund improvements for their community that local authority budgets can’t always stretch to,” adds Patience. “However, it’s important that any scheme is mutually beneficial. This guide aims to help community groups and horticulturalists create a successful strategy for working with organisations that are able to offer sponsorship and support – which doesn’t always have to be financial.”
A family run company set up in 1969, Amberol work with councils, In Bloom groups, schools, businesses and voluntary organisations across the UK. They offer advice and make products to help improve communal spaces such as town centres, parks and commercial districts. Their bestselling self-watering planters have a unique reservoir and wicking system which means that they only need to be watered once a week, even in very dry conditions, making them popular with organisations looking to conserve water and reduce maintenance.
