Venue directory launched
The South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has launched a directory of community venues as part of its commitment to being a good corporate citizen ensuring it puts social, economic and environmental considerations at the heart of its decision making.
The Trust, which provides mental health and community services in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, holds many meetings and events each year. When the Trust has to hire a venue rather than using its own it is making a commitment to hold these, whenever possible, in the heart of the local community. This includes ensuring any money the Trust has to pay for hire costs goes back into local community funds – rather than to private companies.
Local community groups and organisations in the regions the Trust serves have provided details of venues for the directory so that all Trust staff who book venues for meetings and events can use these rather than commercial and private venues – such as hotels and exhibition centres.
By using community venues, the Trust will not only be playing a part in sustaining the local community, but it will also promote the use of accessible venues; giving people more sustainable transport options such as getting the bus or walking to a meeting instead of using a car.
The Trust’s director of corporate development Dawn Stephenson said, "Our Trust is fully committed to being a socially responsible organisation and we are keen to use our purchasing power, influence and resources to help support strong, healthy and sustainable communities. We will use our own venues whenever possible, but by also using community venues we can continue to conduct our business in the very heart of the communities we serve."
The directory is now in use, but the Trust is keen to hear of any venues that it may not already be aware of such as places of workshop, youth groups, local associations and voluntary groups. If you’d like to register your local community venue for use by the Trust please contact the inclusion team on 01924 328656 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk.
For more information about the Trust including how to become a member visit www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk