Cambridgeshire County Council is pleased to announce the launch of the Match My Project initiative – which helps council suppliers give back to the community.
Match My Project pairs council suppliers, like Kier Places, with local charities and community groups, such as Ely Baby Bank. It seamlessly bridges the gap between businesses willing to help and community groups in need of support.
Using this innovative online platform, community groups in Cambridgeshire can publicise their specific needs, making it easier for businesses to match these needs from their own resources, whether they’re able to offer specialist advice, skills, materials, or funding.
In preparation for the official launch of Match My Project the council invited a small selection of council suppliers, and community organisations to trial the platform.
One of the first successful matches was with Ely Baby Bank, who support families with children aged 0-18 months by providing essential items free of charge. The Baby Bank needed a new wooden shelter and a picnic bench refurbishing.
The Kier Places team – who deliver facilities managements services on behalf of Cambridgeshire Council – kindly stepped in to deliver the project and on Tuesday (1 July) County Councillors and representatives from Kier Places together visited Ely Baby Bank to see the new updated facilities in action.
Cilla Palmer, Founder and Coordinator at Ely Baby Bank: “Within a few weeks of the match, Kier Places had designed and built an amazing shelter and the complete transformation of the picnic bench area is astounding too! The team from Kier have worked wonders to get this ready for our visitors to enjoy. We are so grateful.”
Rebecca Magee, corporate social responsibility coordinator at Kier Places, responded: "It has been fantastic collaborating with Ely Baby Bank through Match My Project. The platform made it incredibly easy to connect with charitable organisations and offer support where it was most needed.
“This opportunity came about thanks to our work with Cambridgeshire County Council, providing facilities management services across their corporate estate. Kier Places is proud to support the local communities where we work and Ely Baby Bank is such a wonderful example of that commitment.”
Cllr Karen Young, chair of the Assets and Procurement Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “As a council we’re committed to creating a greener, fairer and more caring Cambridgeshire and we ask all council suppliers to partner with us in support of that vision – the launch of Match My Project makes that easier than ever before.
“The potential for positive real-world change from this platform is huge – a big thank you to Kier Places for the work they’ve done at Ely Baby Bank. I look forward to seeing continued impact from Match My Project across our county in the years ahead.”
Cambridgeshire County Council is also collaborating with Cambridge City Council, which launched its Match My Project platform earlier this year. By working together, the aim is to maximise the social value impact for residents in the City and across Cambridgeshire.
