British Ambassador Holds 'respect' In Manchester

Reuben Singh, British Ambassador for entrepreneurship, this week held the inaugural 'respect initiative dinner at Manchesters Lowry Hotel. Reuben invited over 20 key players from the business, public and voluntary sectors in the North West. Amongst the attendees were Brenda Smith, Managing Director Granada Television, Gerry Yeung CBE, Yang Sing, Tom Bloxham MBE, Urban Splash, and Perveen Warsi CBE - S & A Foods. TimeBank, the national volunteering charity together with The Princes Trust launched the first of a series of interfaith meals to raise awareness of its 'respect initiative. The 'respect dinners will bring together prominent people of different faiths and backgrounds to discuss interfaith issues.

Reuben Singh, British Ambassador for entrepreneurship, this week held the inaugural 'respect initiative dinner at Manchesters Lowry Hotel.

Reuben invited over 20 key players from the business, public and voluntary sectors in the North West. Amongst the attendees were Brenda Smith, Managing Director Granada Television, Gerry Yeung CBE, Yang Sing, Tom Bloxham MBE, Urban Splash, and Perveen Warsi CBE - S & A Foods.

TimeBank, the national volunteering charity together with The Princes Trust launched the first of a series of interfaith meals to raise awareness of its 'respect initiative. The 'respect dinners will bring together prominent people of different faiths and backgrounds to discuss interfaith issues.

The dinners will serve as a forum to discuss issues and causes that the group feel they can work towards together. It is hoped that they will prove a springboard for close interfaith working on a number of local projects.

Results of the exciting discussions included a number of opportunities around education, sport, art and music. These opportunities would be a first step to bring young people in the North West together to listen to their views on how to create respect in their own community.

Brenda Smith MD Granada Television commented on the success of the evening:

TimeBanks 'respect project is a worthy cause in the community and this group of committed individuals has tonight given their time and dedication to actually make a difference in young peoples lives in the North West."

'respect is a national Timebank initiative developed together with The Princes Trust and senior faith leaders throughout the UK. It aims to inspire and engage people of different faiths and those of none to give time to each other and their local community. It encourages people within faith communities to participate in local projects that benefit the community as a whole and provides information and ideas to help people get started.

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Notes to editors
1.   Launched in 2000, For further information about TimeBank please visit www.timebank.org.uk or contact Caroline Speculand on 020 7401 5424 or email c.speculand@timebank.org.uk

2.   For further information about the 'respect meal and Reuben Singh please contact Danielle Freedman on Danielle@freedman.alldaypa.com or by calling: 0845 053 1677

3. The Princes Trust helps young people to overcome barriers and get their lives working. Through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance, it helps 14-30 year-olds to realise their potential and transform their lives.

Further information about The Princes Trust is available at www.princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842