Having finally announced our successful bid to the Nesta Support Saver’s Fund, it’s time to crack on with delivering on the project. First off, I just want to say how proud we are to have been shortlisted and then one of just five organisations, many of them with a national reach, to have been funded.
This really is a groundbreaking way of doing business and to many of you that support local charities in their fundraising endeavours, it’s going to look and feel pretty different. We’re certainly not the first social enterprise aiming to get into the supply chains of local businesses as an equal partner, but we may be the first in Norfolk.
As we scale and replicate our offer, I have learnt how important our values are. All the amazing and inspiring social entrepreneurs I have met have told me this, but I am starting to ‘get it’. My radar is getting better at this and recognising those we want to do business with and those we don’t. It’s not to say that they’re not great people or organisations, just that we are nothing without our values of equality and unprejudiced approach to young people.
One of the other things that I have been told repeatedly, but again, am only just beginning to appreciate, is the importance of good quality suppliers. It’s a little thing, but we recently bought in some last minute catering. They were superb. No hassle, great food and timely responses. This was everything we need when we’re rushed off our feet. We too want to be a hassle-free supplier of inspiring training to businesses who want to be a bit different and buy from a social enterprise also making a difference to young people’s lives.