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Pertemps scheme pays for day out

A team of volunteers who help run a community cafe providing a base for vital services for the local community have been given a big pat on the back thanks to generous workers at a Birmingham company. Read

Getting up close with the true meaning of social responsibility

Dawn Rowlands, PA at the Birmingham office of national law firm Shoosmiths, gives a personal account of what CSR means to her since a trip to help AIDS/HIV victims at St Francis Care Centre, in Boksburg, South Africa. Read

Government reliance on volunteers isn't always good for charities

Thrive’s Nick Venning looks at the controversial issue of public sector contracting and the impact that this is having on the voluntary sector. Read

Birmingham Airport kits out junior football club

A football club is one of the latest groups to receive a grant from Birmingham Airport’s Community Trust Fund. Read

Retailer and consultants work together to give unemployed a helping hand

Two West Midlands-based companies have joined forces to help unemployed homeless people get back into work. Read

Response to sleep-out delights St Basil's

Hundreds of people will brave the cold tomorrow night to take part in one of the city’s largest annual fundraisers to help young people facing homelessness. Read

Pertemps boss donates £20,000

Midlands entrepreneur Tim Watts has personally donated £200,000 to a charity dedicated to the regeneration of Birmingham and the Black Country. Read

Martineau Place slashes its carbon footprint in half

Martineau Place, Birmingham, has halved its carbon footprint – with an innovative system to recycle waste. The system is part of a ‘Go Green’ scheme to lessen the impact of businesses on the environment. Read

Youngsters get their teeth into a healthy start to the day

Children at St Huberts Primary School in Oldbury have been learning how to get their day off to a healthy start with a surprise visit from the Sandwich School Visitors from Warburtons’ Wednesbury bakery. Read

Future is looking brighter for young professionals

Birmingham Future, the representative body of young professionals in the city, has announced a partnership with the Birmingham Community Foundation. Read

Birmingham nightspots pay for specially-adapted seats

Nightspots Oceana and the Jam House have clubbed together to help children with disabilities. Read

Birmingham event for campaign to spread the energy efficiency message

A nationwide campaign to encourage businesses and consumers to save energy has swung into action in Birmingham. Read

Why we must make it easier to help the less fortunate

Thrive's Nick Venning examines how the Gift Aid system might be made simpler and more effective. Read

New bike puts Luke, seven, on road to recovery from leukaemia

Schoolboy Luke Harrison is getting on his bike to help him along the road to recovery from leukaemia. Read

Water selling challenge for young entrepreneurs

Potential business leaders of tomorrow will be giving an inspirational challenge today thanks to an initiative being supported by Ernst & Young’s Birmingham office. Read

Dragon urges SMEs to take up free green loans

Leading businessman and Dragons’ Den investor Theo Paphitis is urging small businesses to say “I’m in” to interest free loans of up to £200,000 from the Carbon Trust. Read

TNT delivers a dynamite fund-raising record effort

Charity champions at Warwickshire express delivery giant TNT changed its familiar shade of corporate orange for pink tones and raised a record-breaking £15,000 for Breast Cancer Campaign Wear it Pink day. Read

Charitable giving could be the future for voluntary organisations

Nick Venning, co-founder of Thrive, considers whether charities would benefit from the establishment of a “social norm” for charitable giving. Read

Wrap stars gather at the Bullring

Business teams armed with ribbon and scissors will be going for glory at a parcel wrapping challenge in the Bullring to raise funds for the St Mary’s hospice. Read

St Philips Chambers walking team set to just keep on giving

A 12-strong team from St Philips Chambers pounded the streets in aid of ‘The Cities Legal Walks’ to raise funds for charities who provide free legal help and support to those most in need across the region. Read