A region wide business referral group has come together to support local Cheshire communities in 2022 through membership of a new social enterprise.
Around 22 businesses from the Cheshire East BNI networking region have signed up to become members of Donatable – a brand new model of social enterprise which was launched last year to provide small business owners with marketing support and an easy way to support local community initiatives. On its first ever ‘Donatable day’ the enterprise saved The Lighthouse Centre Charity £1,973 in labour costs for tidying up the Flag Lane Baths community project in Crewe and has so far donated 405 hours in volunteering time from its members.
Co-founder Gareth Williams comments: “We knew that Donatable was a social enterprise worth launching last year but the response from the Cheshire business community has been overwhelming.
“I’m a member of the BNI Cheshire East network and I’m delighted that so many members of the group have decided to become founder members of Donatable. It’s clear to see that we can support the need for reconnecting businesses with their local communities which has been especially challenging during the past two years. We couldn’t have launched at a better time.”
BNI Cheshire East is a region of 12 Business referral groups that meets regularly to pass business referrals. The 22 founding BNI members of Donatable comprise a mix of local businesses from across the Cheshire East region.
Dave Skeels is the owner of the BNI Cheshire East franchise and comments: “What Donatable does for our members is support them with strategic marketing, promotion on social media channels and engaging them with community initiatives.
“As a small business owner there are so many elements of running a business that take up time – Donatable ticks many boxes for our members’ marketing programmes whilst at the same time reinvesting profits back in those local communities its business members serve.”
You can find out more about Donatable here: www.donatable.org.uk or contact Gareth Williams at Donatable on 01270 344 344
