Here are a number of initiatives which we at the Holden Group have been involved with in Norwich and the surrounding communities:
Tony Holden represented the motor trade in the skills development programme for Norwich City Council. The program was aimed at encouraging school leavers to seek skilled work within their local community. Since this initial involvement we have continued to offer work experience placements within all our companies.
We have participated in the young enterprise scheme for 3 consecutive years. The scheme is aimed at school children and encourages them to develop commercial skills and understand the basic principles of business.
Tony Holden was a governor of Mile Cross Middle School.
The Holden Group has had a long standing relationship with various departments of Norfolk Police. During this time we have loaned the drug squad our trade vehicles for their undercover officers to use in their operations, as well as loaning vehicles for community liaison officers when visiting schools. We have worked in partnership with the road safety liaison team, supplying vehicles and hosting shared stands at local events, as well as inviting them to participate in our showroom based activities.
In recent years we have twice sponsored the Bright Sparks campaigns in association with Norfolk Police and Norfolk County Council, supplying 50,000 high visibility stickers for school children and 4000 high visibility jackets and armbands for cyclists and pedestrians.
We have supported the charity since 1999. In that time we have provided cars and vans for the coaching staff to use when they visit schools and local events promoting football and any other physical sports for children, including working with disabled children and those from deprived areas.
A.E. Holden was chairman of the Trust for 5 years following 4 years spent as Vice Chairman. During this period he was responsible for overseeing the move from the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital to the University Hospital at Colney. We have also supplied the Trust with various support vehicles, including those converted to meet specific requirements.
We have enjoyed a commercial relationship with the Trust for over 8 years, in addition to participating in most of their local events and loaning them additional vehicles when required.