Celebrating Business in Education

At the Leicestershire Cares Annual Awards, we were delighted to recognise the outstanding contribution businesses make to supporting young people across Leicester and Leicestershire through our Business in Education Award.

This year’s award celebrated organisations that have gone above and beyond in supporting schools, students and employability initiatives through volunteering, employer engagement and partnership working.

We were proud to have an exceptional shortlist of nominees, including HRBS, CGI, Haymarket Shopping Centre, Nelsons Law and Samworth Brothers. Each organisation has demonstrated a genuine commitment to helping young people develop the confidence, skills and aspirations they need to succeed in the future.

Following careful consideration, we are delighted to announce that Samworth Brothers was awarded our Business in Education award.

Throughout the academic year, colleagues from Samworth Brothers have consistently demonstrated an outstanding commitment to supporting young people through volunteer-led employability activities. Their employees have generously given their time, experience and expertise to help students prepare for the world of work, providing valuable insights, encouragement and real-world perspectives that can have a lasting impact on a young person's future.

Employee volunteering plays a vital role in creating opportunities for young people. Through activities such as mock interviews and career talks volunteers help students build confidence, improve communication skills and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to them. For many young people, these interactions provide their first meaningful connection with the workplace and can help shape future ambitions and career choices.

The benefits of volunteering extend far beyond the classroom. For employees, volunteering offers opportunities to develop leadership, communication and mentoring skills while increasing confidence and job satisfaction. For businesses, employee volunteering strengthens organisational culture, supports staff development, enhances social value commitments and demonstrates a genuine investment in the local community.

Importantly, these partnerships also contribute to the wider economic growth of Leicester and Leicestershire. By helping young people develop the skills, confidence and awareness needed to navigate future careers, businesses are investing in the talent pipeline of tomorrow. Strong links between education and industry help ensure that young people are better prepared for employment, supporting a more skilled workforce and a stronger local economy.

As we continue to evolve our education programme in line with the principles of Modern Work Experience, the support of businesses has never been more important. Together, we are helping to create meaningful opportunities that inspire young people, broaden aspirations and prepare the next generation for successful futures.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of our nominated organisations – HRBS, CGI, Haymarket Shopping Centre, Nelsons Law and Samworth Brothers – and to every business and volunteer who has supported our work throughout the year.

Congratulations once again to Samworth Brothers on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued commitment to making a difference to the lives of young people across our communities.

If you are a business and are interested in getting involved in the work we do at schools, please contact Bella on bella@leicestershirecares.co.uk.