Stockport-headquartered musicMagpie has named Signpost Stockport for Carers as its Charity of the Year for 2024.
Signpost was chosen following an open application process, culminating in the charity being selected by the seller of refurbished electricals and tech’s 540+ employees.
Signpost is an independent charity based in Stockport that has been supporting unpaid carers for 30 years. Its aim is to improve the quality of life of all carers in Stockport from six to 96 years old, by providing free, confidential advice and a range of services such as emotional support, counselling, social activities, school liaison and more.
Through the partnership, musicMagpie will be supporting Signpost with fundraising initiatives, volunteering, and strategic support. Signpost will also be assisting musicMagpie by educating employees on unpaid care, helping to identify and further support unpaid carers within the business.
Rachel Coxon, musicMagpie’s chief people officer and senior sponsor to its Charity Committee, said: “Supporting our community through partnering with a charity each year is hugely important to us all at musicMagpie, aligning with two of our company values of ‘care’ and ‘make a difference’. It also mattered to us that our colleagues were able to choose the charity that felt closest to their hearts, and we’re thrilled that they chose to partner with Signpost, to support the vital work this organisation does.
“It came to light through the process just how many people in society, some of whom are our colleagues, are unpaid carers in some form; whether that’s caring for family members, friends or neighbours, yet this often goes unrecognised and there is a serious need for more awareness on the topic and help for the carers.
“We’re looking forward to putting on and participating in some fantastic fundraising events throughout the year, volunteering at Signpost, and receiving further education ourselves on how we can best support our colleagues who are also unpaid carers.”
Julia Hewer, CEO at Signpost Stockport for Carers, added: “We were so delighted to have been chosen by musicMagpie to become its Charity of the Year, this year. We want a Stockport that recognises, values, supports and empowers carers and the partnership will definitely help us to achieve this. Not only will the funds raised enable the development of our counselling offer to carers, but the additional awareness created through the volunteering and training opportunities with musicMagpie colleagues will encourage more people to recognise that they have a caring role – and that we are here to care for them. We are so excited for the year ahead, with lots of joint activities planned with colleagues right across musicMagpie. We can’t wait to get started!”
musicMagpie’s Charity of the Year partnership for 2023 was with EGG: Engage, Grow, Go, a Stockport-based charity that uses innovative solutions to help people with lived experience of homelessness, supporting these people into permanent residency and employment. The company raised £12,500 for EGG during the year, through fundraising initiatives, customer and corporate donations.
