What can we request?
There is no definitive list of what can be requested under the banner of community benefits.
Established examples may include guaranteed local apprenticeships or school visits on local construction projects, use of local businesses in supply chains, improvements to public parks or donating excess materials to local causes.
Whilst continuing to promote these sorts of community benefits, an open-minded approach is being taken to encourage other types of requests – including from organisations and communities who are less familiar with community benefits as a whole
Four thematic priorities have been set to help define and broaden potential opportunities
Theme 1: Education, employability & futures
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Apprenticeships; work experience; schools, colleges & universities
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Overcoming potential barriers to education, employment and training (e.g. disabilities; ex-offenders; ethnic minorities; care-experienced young people; older workforce; women returning to work)
Theme 2: Community, culture and wellbeing
- Culture, heritage & recreation; physical, mental health & wellbeing; building community cohesion and reducing isolation. (e.g. grass-roots sports; improving indoor/outdoor community spaces; engaging isolated or older residents; youth clubs; promoting positive lifestyle choices; tackling substance misuse; homelessness.)
Theme 3: Environment and place
- Mitigating impacts upon the wider and local carbon economy; offsetting the impact on the aesthetic, historic landscape and habitats (E.g. supporting pollinators; conservation; flood prevention; use of recycled materials; noise reduction etc.)
Theme 4: Innovation and local enterprise
- Using local micro, small and medium enterprises in the supply chain and sub-contracting
- Where possible, supporting social enterprises within the local area through use of services or in-kind support and business mentoring
The above is not a definitive list of what is/isn’t eligible. Organisations may only have up to 3 requests in a local authority area at any one time.
When considering a request for community benefits, it may be useful to think about things that your organisation could benefit from, but wouldn't necessarily seek to fulfil through traditional avenues of fundraising.
For example - as well as requesting volunteers for tidying up a garden space or painting a room - businesses and suppliers may instead be able to donate a few hours of skilled advice from professionals in IT, finance, communications or customer services.
It could even be as simple as a request to print some resources, provide transportation for an event or other similarly modest but invaluable support.
We would also advise you to consult our guidance notes:
Covid 19
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also recognised that community benefit requests requiring in-person activities may be precluded in the immediate future.
During the pandemic, some businesses have adapted their offerings – including digital engagement, online work experience, supporting vulnerable communities and residents