Member Article

E.ON professional swaps job for charity role

A senior staff member of E.ON is set to give up his day job for the next six months to work with charity, Groundwork Greater Nottingham.

Tony Jenkin Jones, Senior Community Relations, will take up his new role with the charity in a scheme aiding the rehabilitation of ex-offenders by training and supporting them into role in horticulture.

The ‘Dig In Stay Out’ project aims to help 200 male offenders aged 18 to 25, work as volunteers on allotments and go on to gain paid employment in the area.

It is part of the ‘Business Connectors’ initiative, a charity that promotes responsible business practice, and has the backing of David Cameron.

The Big Lottery Fund are awarding £4.8m to Business in the Community to implement the Connectors programme in some of the most disadvantaged areas in England.

Tony Jenkin Jones said: “I’m thrilled that E.ON is able to give me this great experience to work in the Nottingham community on a scheme which will hopefully make a huge difference to these young men’s lives.

“This is an innovative way for E.ON to invest in communities in Nottingham which will provide additional support to our existing regional activity.”

Through its Community Relations programme, E.ON support charities and community organisations that support educational projects and vulnerable customer through employee volunteering, the E.ON Employee Community Fund and Charity of the Year initiative.

Fiona Stark, Director of Corporate Affairs at E.ON, said: “We’ve worked with Business in the Community for a number of years and we’re delighted to be able to support the Business Connectors programme.

“This experience will not only aid Tony’s business expertise and network opportunities, but help deepen our local knowledge and connections which can be used to improve life in our communities.”

Stephen Howard, Business in the Community Chief Executive said: “The Business Connectors programme is based on the proven impact of taking business resource, skills and time into the heart of communities.

“We’re delighted that E.ON has placed Tony Jenkin Jones to work full time in the community on Groundwork Greater Nottingham’s Dig In Stay Out scheme.

“It’s exciting that so many businesses are backing this programme and we look forward to working with Tony and seeing the valuable connections he will make in the Nottingham area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .