Here at RISE, we are incredibly proud to have the support of a wide range of incredible corporate partners, from big business to small.
Corporate partnerships matter in so many ways – not only do they provide either financial or non financial support (cash or donations of time or items) but they also demonstrate to the people in those businesses, and those who engage with them, that that business stands against abuse and violence. Partnerships like these are a vital way of spreading the message that domestic abuse is not acceptable and will not be accepted by our community.
Our first conversations with Britton and Time happened during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, in late 2020. Britton and Time had become aware that many local charities were facing severe financial challenges, in very different ways from the larger, national charities. Headquartered in Hove, they wanted to act locally, and set about creating a partnership rooted in the belief that smaller, local charities deserve the same opportunities for sustainable funding as national household names.
Daniel Beech, Director of Operations at Britton and Time, explains:
“We wanted to find charities that had grown and been supported locally, and could really benefit from creating another source of revenue like legacies. When we reached out to RISE, it was clear the timing was right – we could help fill a funding gap and give more people the chance to support the vital work they do.”
RISE is one of five Sussex based charities supported through Britton and Time’s Community Wills Sussex initiative, alongside Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, Care for Veterans, Chailey Heritage Foundation, and the Kit Wilson Trust.
Community Wills Sussex is a free will-writing initiative set up by Britton and Time’s private client team. Twice a year, during April and November, the firm offers free will-writing services to anyone willing to leave a legacy of at least £150 to one or more of the five Sussex charities. That gift can be left to one charity, or split between more than one.
Daniel describes the scheme as being deliberately community-minded:
“It’s not just about one charity. It’s about local organisations standing alongside each other, raising awareness, and making sure smaller charities get the support they need. That solidarity is the spirit of Community Wills Sussex.”
The scheme has already resulted in legacies pledged to RISE, with updates shared regularly among the partner charities, and their staff have also taken part in RISE fundraising events, including the annual RISE 8K Undercliff Run for Women. The scheme was also a finalist in the ‘Best Start-up Legacy Programme’ category in the Smee and Ford Legacy Giving Awards 2024. While we didn’t win (this time!), we were all thrilled to be shortlisted and to be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony with Elizabeth from Britton and Time.
