It’s so lovely to be described as an ‘award winning’ social organisation. The Big Issue Invest Tech for Good Challenge has been a great platform for us as we have made essential contacts – not just introductions to new business, but we have met new supporters as well. For example someone from Merrill Lynch is now mentoring our Development Director Barrie Taylor (IT) which I know will be of great help.
I have also noticed that clubs and organisations are starting to come to us – because they have heard about us from other major institutions such as Nesta or Comic Relief, NCVO or NCVYS for example. We feel that this is an interesting development in how we are being seen as one of the leading new social ‘start ups’ across the UK. It can only help us with our steady growth and purposeful progress to become a household name. This has always been the advice from one of our Advisors Mike Power – Mike has always encouraged me to ‘think big’ and I in turn encourage the team to think the same way!
Nick Hurd MP was at the Big Issue Event and has expressed real interest in us – I am hoping for a meeting soon as we can help him solve some of his current issues. When I spoke on the podium I worried Alex somewhat when I made a sharp turn off our carefully planned pitch to talk about the swathes of youth clubs cutting down across the country. This seemed to resonate with Mr Hurd so…watch this space…
Finally, welcome to Dan Moxon who has joined our team as a result of our funding from Unltd. Dan is working with myself and Jo Grant to spread the word about Groop and is specifically focusing at this stage on the Voluntary sector networks where he has excellent contacts. Dan has slotted straight in and we are excited about our prospects from his new role with us.
Sally
