Impact storytelling campaign equips charity for future growth
SVB’s work with Our Space has left the charity in a strong position to attract funding and corporate partnerships, with highlights including an interview with BBC Radio Stoke.
The Challenge
Our Space is a Staffordshire-based charity that provides a lifeline to young people and their families with disabilities. The charity supports children and young people of all ages to play and engage independently in 1.5 acres of secure, accessible outdoor play space, while enabling parents and carers to socialise and enjoy respite from the demands of daily care.
Our Space had secured ad hoc business support for fundraisers and team volunteering, but wanted to take this to the next level, creating opportunities for meaningful longer-term partnerships. The charity was also aware of the increasing need to demonstrate impact as part of funding applications.
They approached Social Value Business in summer 2022 for:
- A Gap Analysis in order to fully understand their starting point, strengths and opportunities.
- An Impact Report, measuring the difference Our Space makes to young people and their families.
- Guidance on promoting their strengths through a Communications Campaign.
The Solution
Social Value Specialist Jane Strand conducted a detailed piece of work, engaging families to understand and map the value added by the charity.
Highlights from Jane’s comprehensive report found that:
- For every £1 invested in Our Space, the charity creates £4.15 Social Return on Investment (SROI)
- Young people supported by Our Space enjoyed increased happiness, confidence and wellbeing as a result*
- Young people experienced a 53% reduction in the need for 1:1 care from care givers*
*As reported by parents and caregivers, November 2022.
For the Gap Analysis, she compared Our Space with other similar charities across England, identifying opportunities for the charity to strengthen its income, income streams, service proposition and profile.
In tandem, Communications Specialist Sarah Sheasby worked with Our Space to develop and deliver a focussed communications campaign. The campaign comprised:
- A Partnership Pack aimed at business supporters, with ways to get involved ranging from Payroll giving to Charity of the Year relationships;
- A Video, showcasing the benefits to businesses of engaging with Our Space;
- Press releases, social media posts, banners and emails targeting business supporters.
Jane and Sarah are both highly experienced and passionate practitioners with strong commercial acumen and a best practice approach. They worked hand-in-hand to deliver a brilliant outcome for the client.
The Result
Our Space are now in a strong position to showcase their impact to funding providers and businesses, with greater opportunity to attract longer-term support. As a result of the communications campaign, Head of Charity Jane Smith was invited to give a live interview on BBC Radio Stoke, while Trustee Faye Johnson had an on-air chat with The HitMix radio.
Hannah Dean, Trustee at Our Space, said:
[Insert testimonial]
Sarah Sheasby said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to support this charity to tell its story with impact and clarity. Our priority has been to help position Our Space for future growth.”
