Making a Konnection

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A Cornish community interest company was shortlisted for four awards at the South West Business and Community Awards.

Konnect Communities CIC, a charity that works with former offenders to help them maximise their potential after being released from prison, was nominated for Employer of the Year, Covid Community Champion, Charity of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to the Community.

“We’re all very excited to be recognised on a regional level for all of our work,” said Ian Curnow, Konnect’s chief executive.

“It is an honour to see our name alongside so many outstanding businesses and people. The team is overwhelmed with the recognition and are looking forward to continuing their hard work throughout 2021.”

The awards recognition comes after Konnect’s successful bid to fund Cornwall’s first social recruitment agency where businesses will be helped through the hoops of employing ex-offenders and other disadvantaged people.

This will help businesses to increase the diversity of their workforce and will support individuals currently being supported by the charity to get into employment.

“We’re very excited about the new social recruitment agency — genuinely a first for Cornwall. It will help businesses benefit from a vast range of skills on offer while adding to their level of social responsibility,” Curnow added.

The first step of setting up the social recruitment agency is the appointment of a suitable candidate into a new job, ‘business konnector’. The person who gets this role will focus on promoting the project within Cornwall’s business community and will work with businesses to provide support and training. Applications are open until May 17.