Grenfell James and Businesses Supporting Stratford

14 Apr 2016

Stratford upon Avon is our home, both in a business and personal sense. Not only do we work in this community, we live here. We employ from the community (now employing 16 staff), those families have children who attend local schools, who use local amenities, and will at times need the aid of the charities involved.
As with all businesses, the requests for monetary support from both local and national charities fall on my desk daily. We get it…’ if you don’t ask, you don’t get’! As a company, we have supported many of these charities and continue to do so. However we have always tried to keep it local. The team have often been seen at Dragon Boat races and Santa Runs, we’ve helped with the hospital appeal events, sponsored school events, helped out local PTA’s and provided raffle prizes. Having said that, it is refreshing to be looking to help the wider community and charitable organisations by investigating other avenues and ways in which we can assist. Sponsorship for another ‘challenge’ or event becomes more difficult year on year, as we have to approach friends and family again!
However, the practice is made up of a young team, who have the energy and enthusiasm to help where possible.  They also have an exceptional level of knowledge and advice to impart in many areas of business. As an example, we are linked with a charity, ‘Tax Help For Older People’ who call on us locally, where the person may otherwise not be able to access the advice they need, thus causing unnecessary stress.
Each client manager has their own specialism, covering start-up companies, catering, rural affairs, medical practices, construction trades etc,etc. Perhaps this knowledge can be taken advantage of? Not to mention, a long list of useful contacts! Within the practice, we have staff who are particularly IT literate and always happy to help, regarding IT set-ups, software installation and training. Perhaps the ‘venture’ just needs some advice regarding best practice, for the necessary evil that is bookkeeping and admin?  
Grenfell James has often supported local education, through offering work experience placements, and we are currently working with our 6th apprentice. Many of these apprentices have flourished in their careers with us and have progressed to become senior client managers.
In summary, we are proud to be involved in the venture, Businesses Supporting Stratford, we are willing to help and look forward to offering practical solutions.
 Although we are not anti offering hard cash when needed, that feel good feeling of donating a desk to Tyler House, to be used to help many charities, far outweighs that of handing over £100…it’s a win-win situation!