NetworkIN’s business referral marketing platform is more than a means for local companies to promote their products and services, and build professional relationships. It’s community-focused ethos also helps to support local charities in their quest to raise awareness and fundraise for their cause.
NetworkIN advocates work in collaboration to support each other and share opportunities to develop as individuals and in business. But the benefits aren’t aimed only at companies.
Within the proven advocator framework, each NetworkIN Team offers a free seat for a local charity to join its business professionals to enable them to boost their visibility and plug into a specialised network of trusted supporters.
This works two-fold: for the charity to their raise awareness for vital campaigns; and for businesses to develop a strategy for their own corporate social responsibility efforts.
As NetworkIN has grown there is now an opportunity to form a collective consortium for charity advocates to share resources, good practice, experience and fundraising.
Since 2019, several social events have been organised for advocates across the network to participate in supporting its charities. Regular activities pre-Covid-19 included pub quizzes, supermarket bagging, DIY projects, and sponsored walks, runs, sky dives and zipline runs.
More recently, during the lockdown of 2020, charity consortium online events have included a quarantine karaoke, bingo and a pub quiz.
Funds raised are divided up between the charity advocates with local media PR support alongside articles published on the NetworkIN website and social media profiles being used to spread awareness and encourage vital donations.
Separate charity campaigns, such as A Child of Mine’s National Bereaved Parents Day, Alice Charity’s Tour de Alice, and Cancer Research’s Race for Life were supported by their home NetworkIN teams and picked up by the wider community through word of mouth and NetworkIN promotions on social media, blog pages, WhatsApp groups and email promotion.
As well as a bi-weekly meeting, charities can explore the entire network and visit over 20 different teams across the counties of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Lancashire.
While NetworkIN offers sector exclusivity as a benefit to all its advocates, charities are often more than willing to work together and attend each other’s home team meetings because collaboration is everything – together we are stronger.
“We were gifted a brand new website from start to finish by Redbox Web Design and Chris Hopson has supported us with free design work. We have received countless introductions, people donating gifts such as selection boxes, easter eggs, stamps, etc.”
Holly, A Child of Mine.
“NetworkIn is not just about making business connections, it offers friendship, support, advice and a sense of community. I would recommend joining to anyone that wants to make new connections that are meaningful and reciprocal.”
Alison, NeuroMuscular Centre
“NetworkIN is extremely supportive of our fundraising activities and during lockdown, three people helped with our first ever virtual quiz from designing Facebook signs to help with the scores on the night. I have had lots of 1-2-1s and referrals to experts such as marketing etc. for advice and have gained help with our legacy campaign, which is soon to launch.”
Sarah, The Wingate Special Children’s Trust
“We have gained significant support from advocates across multiple teams, which has been fantastic. This has ranged from advocates doing crazy challenges to raise vital funds to support the work that we do, to advocates giving their time and skills, such as design. The main benefit is having such a large community to reach out to. Advocates introduce us to advocates in other teams knowing they are able to support us in different ways. Everyone has really taken the time to get to know our charity and what we do and now are our eyes and ears for opportunities.”
Holly, A Child of Mine
NetworkIN charities are able to share risks and gain access to the wider marketplace through collaboration and service improvements, which in turn brings value for money and an increased profile.
£14,000 raised by NetworkIN advocates and their families as part of our tour de Alice campaign in September 2020.
Josie, Alice Charity.
“Over £3000.00 cash has come into the charity since joining NetworkIN.”
Holly, A Child of Mine
£2700 was raised in September 2020 for the Cancer Research Race for Life and in 2020 NetworkIN advocates have helps us to raise £20,000!”
Ada, Cancer Research
“`{`The`}` Christmas Raffle tickets `{`so far`}` has raised over £100, plus we received a £50 donation and a £20 M&S Voucher as prizes.”
Sarah, Wingate Centre
A member of each charity is an advocate at a Staffordshire, Cheshire or Lancashire NetworkIN Team. Fellow advocates join in with fundraising activities to help raise money and spread awareness of the good work carried out by the charities and support opportunities throughout the year.
Cancer Research is the world’s largest charity dedicated to saving lives through research into this deadly disease with a vision to develop a cure for all cancers. Staffordshire outdoor and indoor fundraising activities and events range from bag packing in supermarkets to skydiving, Race for Life runs and walks, and a glitzy annual ball. Learn more about Cancer Research.
The Community Foundation for Staffordshire is a specialist in giving to the local community through trusts, grants, partnerships and initiatives. To avoid the pitfalls that can occur when ‘giving’ as an individual, family, or business, the Community Foundation makes the process quick, easy and cost-effective by ensuring that your gift has the impact that you want it to; transforming lives and creating opportunities for people that would otherwise never experience them. Learn more about The Community Foundation for Staffordshire.
The Wingate Special Children’s Trust, near Nantwich, is an independent charity devoted to enriching the lives of children and young people. Their 23-bedroom short break residential centre is a specialised accommodation facility with a 7,000 sq ft fully-fitted gymnasium that caters for children with all levels of physical and learning disabilities. Learn more about The Wingate Special Children’s Trust.
The NeuroMuscular Centre in Winsford supports a community of over 3,000 people who live with a neuromuscular condition to have a healthy, productive and fulfilling life. The centre offers vast experience, knowledge, ideas and resources to people with the condition and their carers and can help with benefit claims, specialist equipment and home adaptations, work or vehicles and holiday venues and respite options. Learn more about The NeuroMuscular Centre .
Spark to your Success exists to empower young people to become tomorrow’s confident business, community and family leaders by feeling happy ‘in their own skin’.
By working with organisations, charities and projects they know that together we can boost the amazing work and outcomes that they are already achieving.
Approach Dementia Support has been supporting those affected by dementia since 1981. The charity provides services to support the well-being of people living with dementia, their families and carers.
They believe that everyone affected by dementia should be supported to live their life the way they choose and their wide range of specialist services allow them to assist the local communities throughout Staffordshire.
ChAPS was started in April 2010 by three parents who all have children on the spectrum. Thet support families whether diagnosed or not.
The Genie’s Wish supports terminally and seriously ill people from birth up to the age of 40, by granting them a treasured wish! On top of this, the charity also provides wishes for young carers too, between the age of 5 to 18 years. This unique, fun and personal service aims to bring people joy and unify them together. The wish is just the beginning of someone’s journey!
Hospice of the Good Shepherd is a local hospice where for the last 35 years their amazing team of doctors, nurses and volunteers look after the people that matter to you most – your loved ones, friends, neighbours and colleagues – helping individuals make the very best of the last chapter of their lives through inpatient care and Living Well outpatient services.
Hope4More help to support young people aged 11 – 16 who struggle to attend school due to anxiety or other mental health conditions, through art projects. They help them to access education and reach their potential. They also offer support and advice for their families.
YMCA Crewe is a leading provider of supported housing and services to people in Cheshire East who have experienced homelessness, young people leaving care and unaccompanied children seeking asylum.
The Association also runs several After School Clubs and parenting groups in the town.
Over £4000 has been raised for We Love Lichfield by supporters of a classic car tour. Over 100 vehicles joined the Cannock Chase Classic Car Tour, travelling over 100 miles across Staffordshire, from
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