This spring is a time of celebration here at Rose Road as we mark the completion of an incredible three year corporate partnership with Ordnance Survey (OS).
The partnership launched in April 2020 with an ambitious target of raising £20,000. Despite a global pandemic – which actually led to the extension of the partnership by a year – OS beat their target to raise an amazing £51,390! This money has had a huge impact for the children and young adults we support, including by increasing opportunities for adventure throughout the local community, by providing emergency care and support for those in crisis, and by developing and improving our building and facilities. The impact of this will be felt for many years to come.
CEO Steve Swift says: “We’ve been so lucky to have spent 3 years working with and being supported by such a fantastic, committed, enthusiastic group of people at Ordnance Survey, whose headquarters are located just 2.5 miles away from us, which has been fantastic in facilitating regular events that our young people could also attend.”
OS staff got involved in the partnership in many ways, from office bake sales, to taking part in Rose Road challenge events including the Skydive and Triathlon, to several employees signing up to the Give As You Earn scheme. Staff have also given up days of their time to come and support projects such as transforming our children’s respite garden or painting the bedrooms in our adults’ respite centre.
The partnership with OS has been more than just about raising funds too; it has been about support, encouragement, and motivation. We are very grateful to the amazing team at OS who have helped Rose Road grow as an organization and as a team, providing training, support to help start a new apprenticeship programme, meeting spaces and plenty of collaborative working.
One special project which was developed as part of the partnership was the creation of interactive accessible maps for the SWR All Aboard Project, that have the potential to be a real game-changer for wheelchair users and families with children with disabilities. These are now available to download from our website here and include features that are important to help those with additional needs navigate with confidence and independence around our major towns and cities.
Abi Dodds, Business Centre Manager at Ordnance Survey, says: “The support we have had from our staff over the last 3 years has been nothing short of incredible. From the huge amount of fundraising we have achieved via a variety of different means and through the many Rose Road challenge events we have undertaken, to sharing our expertise and helping with volunteering, training and mentoring".
"I truly believe that the work we have done is having a huge impact on both Ordnance Survey and Rose Road staff, children and families, that will long outlive our official partnership”.
From everyone here at Rose Road we would like to say a huge thank you to the OS staff team for their dedication, determination and drive. You have and continue to make a huge difference to our children, young people and families. We would like to say an additional big thank you to the OS Business Centre Team, who have over the last 3 years become friends of Rose Road. Your support and kindness has been invaluable.
Partnerships with local businesses and organisations provide vital fundraising opportunities for Rose Road that help us plan and secure our services now and for years to come. They also provide employees of our partner organisations with the chance to connect with good causes local to them and see the impact their donations have for the young people we support.
If your business would like to consider developing a charity partnership with Rose Road, we manage bespoke partnerships and develop ideas together that maximise impact for both your company and Rose Road, and which engage, motivate and inspire your employees.
Please email fundraising@roseroad.org.uk or call 023 8072 1248, for more information.