Testimonials
Let us know how BCBN has assisted you with grant funding, or your positive engagement with the charity as a supporter or corporate sponsor.
Art4Space
“The ‘Cementing History’ project has not only provided all visitors to Stockwell Studios with a story of the great heritage of the site, 1000’s of people will see the artwork. It has bought the local community together and inspired further community engagement work”. – Elinor Seath, Director
City Circle
“BCBN is a crucial grassroots initiative that connects role models in our communities to support our most vulnerable.”
– Asim Siddiqui, Trustee
Children of Jannah
“BCBN’s funding has been vital in helping more bereaved parents access Children of Jannah’s LIFE After Loss support groups to develop positive coping strategies and reduce the pain and feelings of isolation and numbness experienced on their grief journeys. Thank you so much BCBN.”
– Hafizah Ismail, Founder, Children of Jannah
HAAYA
“The Better Community Business Network is a pioneering and truly philanthropic concern, whose noble aims to selflessly support grass root charities and organisations is most praiseworthy. During a time of widespread cuts in youth services, the grant award HAAYA received from BCBN went a long way in supporting our long-running, Saturday supplementary school and has assisted many young people towards achieving excellence in their education. On behalf of HAAYA we would like to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to the BCBN board and its staff.”
lnterpal
“Any initiative which brings people together from diverse backgrounds in order to help local communities, has to be worthwhile. For that reason alone, we are pleased to be supporting BCBN.”
– Ibrahim Hewitt, Chair of Trustees
Kashif Siddiqi Foundation
“Sanctioned by the United Nations & Supported by the High Patronage of H.S.H Prince Albert the II of Monaco. As a Health and Sports charity, KSF aims to promote “Education through Sport” globally. We use sports as a catalyst in creating a platform for future generations to excel and lead healthier lifestyles; whilst working with organisations such as BCBN who support community development whole-heartedly. We are proud to work in alliance with an organisation that is so positive and driven to make a difference throughout the country.”
– Kashif Siddiqi, KSF Founder & International Footballer
MADE
“The award MADE received from the Better Communities Business Network has played a crucial part in reaching more young Muslims as part of MADE’s global education programme, particularly at a time when our capacity to deliver was not possible due to the high influx of request from schools. As a result of the award, our education programme was able to reach and work with 3270 young Muslims and we have also been able to hold onto a really good education officer who has now been promoted to manager level.”
– Monowara Gani, Executive Director
McGrath Charitable Trust
“BCBN is a pioneering initiative enabling like-minded individuals to open up a dialogue and discuss ideas enhancing community relations locally and nationally. I am delighted to have been a part of the Network since its inception and sincerely hope that it grows from strength to strength.”
– Kevin McGrath, Chairman
MDUK Media
“BCBN is an amazing organisation that does a great deal of good work within communities. We always look forward to their events which raise an enormous amount of funds for good causes but also give businesses a great opportunity to network with very successful businesses, listening and learning from their success. Through our sponsorships, we have had the opportunity to secure successful business leads, increase our own business contacts and make many new friends.”
– Naeem Darr, MDUK Media
Metro Blind Bowlers
“Metro Blind Sport would like to thank BCBN for their generous support to our bowlers enabling us to buy equipment so more blind and partially sighted people can have the opportunity to take part in a sport.”
Mosaic, Princes Trust
Trust “The [BCBN] Network really is testament to the very best of those in business and in our Muslim community have to offer in our society which is what Mosaic is all about.”
– Jonathan Freeman, National Director
Muslim Aid
“Muslim Aid is proud to support the aspirations of BCBN, which work to promote the qualities of selflessness and generous giving. We believe that the partnership between government, business and the charitable sector is essential in addressing social inequalities and empowering the vulnerable in society. We support this initiative and wish BCBN all the success in building a stronger and more harmonious community.”
– Dr Manazir Ahsan MBE, Chairman
MYH
“MYH is proud to support BCBN in its pioneering leadership of the business community. BCBN embodies the values and ethos on which MYH was founded: compassion, giving, and service to support those who are in the greatest need. We know from experience that transformation initiatives like the Date Palm Project helps provide change and opportunity to the lives of prison-leavers and we are proud to support this project.”
– Awais Khan, Chair of Trustees
National Zakat Foundation
“BCBN provided over £100,000 of seed funding to help NZF launch the Date Palm Project, the first Muslim community led supported housing project for young, male ex-offenders encompassing not only housing but also mentoring and employment support. BCBN’s significance as a Launchpad for pioneering projects such as these is not to be underestimated.”
– Iqbal Nasim, Chief Executive
NHS – REACH Project
“Our sincere gratitude for your donation of £37,500. This kind donation will make a huge difference in the help and support we can provide to both male and female victims of domestic abuse, particularly those who face additional barriers to seeking help such as language and cultural differences.”
– Laura Stretch, REACH Service Manager
Pro-Install AV
“BCBN’s annual events provide a fantastic crowd of business owners and professionals. As a small business, it has been invaluable for us to be in a room where we have so much energy and talent. Our business, which provides high-end audio visual solutions, has greatly benefitted from the business relationships we have created and since nurtured. It is our obligation as business people endowed with a certain level of wealth to help those less fortunate than ourselves.”
– Sajid Qureshi, Pro-Install AV
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity
“It is thanks to the generosity of organisations like the Better Community Business Network that we can continue providing vital emotional and practical support to families in need. There are thousands of families who have a life threatened or terminally ill child and without Rainbow Trust, many of these families would be left to cope alone. This grant will fund arts and crafts materials which our team of Family Support Workers will use to help families in London, giving vital respite to parents, helping siblings and sick children have some fun and communicate their feelings through art.”
– Heather Wood, Chief Executive
St. Giles Trust
“We are absolutely thrilled to be working in partnership with BCBN and so proud to be recipients of their fantastic Grant Initiative. Thanks to their kind support we’ve been able to reach more disadvantaged children and young people at risk of gang involvement and youth crime, using our preventative SOS+ sessions to guide them towards brighter futures.”
– Rob Owen OBE, Chief Executive
St Mungo’s
“Without the support of organisations and Opening doors for homeless people partnerships such as BCBN, it would be significantly more difficult for St Mungo’s to help homeless people rebuild their lives, find a decent place to live, enjoy good health and have something meaningful to do. We are privileged to have such fantastic support for our work across London and the South – thank you for your philanthropy.”
– Charles Fraser CBE FRSA, Chief Executive
The Muslim Council of Britain
“It gives me great pleasure to support this inspirational initiative. BCBN is creating a vital partnership between community initiatives and the business community. The strategic vision of investing in building a better, more peaceful and inclusive society for all, strongly resonates with our own. I am particularly pleased that BCBN has chosen to focus on investing in our young people, who face many challenges and need our wholehearted support. I pray for the success of this event.”
– Farooq Murad, Secretary General (2010 – 2014)
UK Islamic Mission
“On the 50th anniversary of the UK Islamic Mission, we are pleased to see the advent of this visionary charitable Network. I would like to express my wholehearted support for the BCBN initiative. It is heartening to see Muslim professionals coming together to assist charitable efforts at home, especially as this year’s event will support the future generation of young people in the UK.”
– Dr Zahid Parvez, President (2012 – 2016)