CHAMBER CHARITY OF CHOICE SEPTEMBER UPDATE
14 December 2023
As the Chamber’s charity partner, we thought it would be nice to shine a spotlight on some of our corporate members every other month, rather than just talking about ourselves. First up is one of our greatest business supporters – Lloyds Bank International. We work with businesses in many ways. Some support us purely financially, some with pro-bono services and some, like Lloyds, really get involved with MWT on every level.
Lloyds became Business Partner members of MWT five years ago, our highest corporate membership category, and we’ve had some great Wild Workdays with them since then. It often starts with membership and then the relationship grows from there. Most notably, Lloyds now sponsor our Community Ranger, Hannah. It’s relatively easy to get funding for capital purchases or projects but businesses are often reluctant to fund staff time or core resources. This is a big challenge for many charities. With Hannah however, Lloyds were happy to fund her time so that she can travel around the Island engaging with communities around wildlife and sustainability. Our Community Ranger is the frontline of #TeamWilder, a project to empower communities to do more for nature. Hannah has help form a dedicated group of volunteers who manage the MWT Onchan Community Wetlands for us. As a result, the reserve has improved so much that it has become our second sponsored nature reserve thanks to Utmost International. Hannah also helped to set-up and run the Milntown Gardening Club which meets every week at the Island’s only historic estate. The club members work with the gardeners at Milntown on wildlife gardening activities and growing fruit and vegetables. Hannah also works with lots of other existing community groups helping them to learn about the Island’s wildlife and do more to support it.
The Royal Agricultural Show is an important event for MWT. It’s a great opportunity to engage with the public, raise awareness and gain support for our work. Previously we had unhappy times setting up small 3m x 3m gazebos only to have them flattened and our stuff soaked by the Manx weather before the event even opens. So, it’s very much appreciated when Lloyds Bank International host us in their lovely marquee each year. It means we have a lot more space in which to do much more interesting engagement activities. In return, we like to think we bring a few more people in and we are also in a great position to help make sure they have a sustainable event – no plastic single-use giveaways here!
Lloyds Bank International have also hosted our AGM for the last two years in their board room at Villiers House. It’s a lovely space with all the internet connection and equipment we need to make sure our AGM is accessible to all our members. They have a roof garden at Villers House which we use for our drinks reception before the AGM starts – thanks also to Foraging Vintners who provide the drinks. The first time we visited the roof garden we were surprised to see Goldfinches, and so many bees in the heart of Douglas. We’re working with Lloyds to make the space even better for wildlife but also, importantly, a really special place for their staff to enjoy on their breaks.
If you want to find out more about our corporate membership options visit: www.mwt.im/business and if you’re interested in getting your business involved in the work of MWT email ellen@mwt.im to get the ball rolling.
Get involved with MWT on social media: Twitter @manxnature, Facebook at facebook.com/ManxWildlifeTrust, Instagram manxwt or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/manx-wildlife-trust/ like, share and comment.
Manx Wildlife Trust is an Isle of Man registered charity no. 225. Find out more at www.mwt.im or email enquiries@mwt.im to start a conversation.
