How small businesses are helping others during the pandemic
Whilst the last few weeks have been truly life changing and challenging on many levels, they also made us see how kind and resilient people and businesses can be. The current crisis is making many businesses, big and small, having to make difficult decisions. And yet, there are so many who are trying to help in any way they can and it shows how little acts of kindness can make a big difference.
We have seen many large businesses step forward and offering help in various shapes and forms. But it’s not just the big brands who are helping others during the pandemic - it’s many small businesses, who also been negatively impacted by the recent events who are offering a helping hand:
Squirrels & Bears
As we are a small business ourselves, we understand the the immense challenges other small businesses will be facing these coming months, and we believe that we can get through this together if we support each other. As business continuity and communication during this difficult time is critical, we would love to help the small business community out there by providing a free of charge consultation to define your marketing strategy and draft your marketing plan. So that when the crisis is over, you are in a better position to bounce back and grow your business. You can contact us here to book your call. We might have children on the call, so feel free to bring yours too.
User Conversion
Since we can’t come together physically to support our local businesses, optimisation agency User Conversion has set up a fund to ‘pay it forward’ as a way of helping local businesses during these challenging times. Whilst there is a huge uncertainty for independent business owners affected by Covid-19, the agency have set up a fund, pledging £2000 to provide their favourite local bars, restaurants and coffee shops with the short-term support they need.
The proceeds have gone towards gift vouchers which can be used at a later date when bars and restaurants re-open and people are back on their feet. Mark Leach, Managing Director at User Conversion commented: “I've grown up, been to university and worked in and around Manchester all of my life. I love this city more than any other. It breaks my heart to see the uncertainty of its residents and independent stores. It's a small gesture, but if every business that can afford to do this does, it will make a huge difference. And we can all bounce back stronger!”
Screach
Screach is a UK-based technology company that enables pubs and bars to get maximum value from their TV screens. Its cloud-based platform allows venues to live stream HD sport broadcasts and create bespoke, audience-specific adverts for their screens. The Government’s instruction to close all the pubs and restaurants posed a great challenge to the business as well as the entire UK’s hospitality sector.
In response to the crisis, Screach has paused all customer billing and diverted resources and people to help Britain’s pubs. Screach is repurposing its website to build an online hub for the pub sector, packed with practical advice on the Government support available and how landlords can transform their pub into a successful takeaway. The ultimate aim is to create a forum that will help the sector pull together, help protect thousands of jobs and support a service that assists the most vulnerable people in society, following the Government’s call for all pubs and restaurants to close.
Tao Digital Marketing
Whilst working from home is reasonably easy for the team at Tao Digital Marketing to adapt to and continue with work, many of their clients are financially struggling and understandably cutting marketing spend.
As a small business, they wanted to support other businesses who are finding it difficult to cope during this unprecedented outbreak. Some of their local coffee shops and common lunch spots are really struggling and as regular customers they wanted to show their support in a bid to ensure they're still on the high street when they return to the office.
The company has therefore used their teams’ skills to develop a website Save A Small Business Today which aims to list and promote local small businesses, and how people can support them through these difficult times. Although many businesses are now closed for the foreseeable future, some of the businesses listed are offering gift vouchers for when they are back open, and others are still doing contactless home deliveries. Or support could simply be by following them on social media and helping them spread their brand message.
Silverbean & AGY47
Silverbean and AGY47 are currently working alongside local Newcastle charity, Family Gateway, with whom they have a longstanding relationship. Family Gateway is a charity supporting local families in poverty and is currently aiming to fundraise £10,000 to help get a ‘meals on wheels’ style service up and running to continue to help those families during the pandemic.
The idea is to provide 3 home cooked meals per week to families they support who struggle under normal circumstances, but are likely to need even more help at the moment, especially where children would normally get a hot meal at school, but may not have access to that at home. The donations support the cost of the meals including the ingredients, packaging, cooking staff and deliveries. Around 180 families will benefit and they are identified as not being able to access funds to provide hot dinners, or not having the capacity or skills to cook for what are in some cases very large numbers of children. If you would like to help, plese follow this link to the fundraiser.
Morris&Son
Morris & Son, one of the leading wholesale distributors of residual stock in the UK, stepped in to ensure a flavoured spring water producer in Wales could continue production – after it ran out of toilet paper. Bosses at Trederwen Springs feared the factory may have to cease production, as it was running low on toilet roll for the production team to use. With nothing available locally an urgent appeal was posted on LinkedIn to try and secure a lifeline. When a connection request came through, Morris & Son MD Andy Needham got in touch.
Having just taken delivery of a significant consignment, Morris & Son put aside a full pallet of toilet rolls for the company, which was collected the next day by Trederwen Springs’ finance director, who drove up from Powys to Barnsley – a round trip of some 340 miles. Andy said: “When I saw Trederwens’ plight, saying they may have to cease production as they had been unable to find toilet roll for the production team to use, I knew we had to step in to help. We have a robust supply chain with regular deliveries so were only too happy to put aside a pallet for them. At times like this, businesses have to pull together and watch each other’s backs. Not only that, as a result we have discovered a potential new supplier, so we’re all winners.”
Baba+Boo
Baba+Boo is a planet-friendly baby store who create reusable nappies which are kind to little bottoms and kind to the planet. The business has seen a huge increase in requests about their products as parents struggle to get hold of nappies in the supermarkets and is currently in the process of donating 3,500 nappies to NHS workers who're on the frontline of this battle to keep us safe.
Eve Bell, Founder of Baba+Boo said: “We’ve been truly heartbroken by the stories of NHS workers struggling to buy nappies after their shifts, and we felt compelled to act. This is why we’re donating 3,500 nappies to give these amazing workers any support we can, and to say thank you for all that they do. After reaching out to our customers for their help putting us in touch with NHS Trusts, we were blown away by the stories we heard from struggling parents. In these uncertain times, it’s been truly heartwarming seeing communities come together and support one another, and we wanted to offer our support in any way we can. Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen a surge in orders as many parents turn to reusables, and it’s been amazing to hear how they’re helping to make some lives a little more convenient in these uncertain times.”
Avagio
Wiltshire based IT services company Avagio recently launched its Helping Hand service, a free hotline offering technical support and advice to help people stay in touch during the Covid-19 pandemic. Avagio’s Managing Director, Adam Morris, commented, “There are many elderly and vulnerable members of our society who may not be able to call on the technical expertise usually offered by their loved ones or carers. Similarly, some members of our families may be feeling isolated due to the social distancing rules in place, and we know that technology can help bridge that gap. Feeling confident using a computer or smartphone could make the difference between not being able to speak to friends or family for weeks. This is where we want to help. We have made our team of professional technicians available to help with any worry or query you might have in respect to your IT problems. Areas such as online shopping, using video communication, or staying safe online are all things we can help with.”
Avagio is already working with several regional charities including Wiltshire Age UK, Swindon Carers, Carer Support Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset Carer Centre to ensure its Helping Hands service reaches the people that need it, and the company is happy to support more charities who feel the Helping Hands service will be useful. Additionally, the company is seeking volunteers to assist the Avagio team with staffing the helpline. These could be furloughed IT support staff, IT students or other IT skilled individuals.
Glasses Direct
To recognise and support those on the front line, Glasses Direct,is giving 2,000 pairs of prescription glasses to NHS staff for free. Orders can be placed until 30 April 2020. The online retailer wants to express its gratitude to all NHS staff and support them through their tireless efforts during the COVID-19 outbreak. NHS workers can redeem a single-use discount code by visiting www.glassesdirect.co.uk/nhs-staff. They can choose a frame priced up to £20, including clear single vision standard lenses with scratch-resistant and anti-reflection coatings. Glasses will be delivered for free, usually within 3-7 working days for single vision orders.
Barney Streeting, CEO of Glasses Direct, said, “Where would our country be right now without our extraordinary NHS workers? From all of us at Glasses Direct, we want to say a huge thank you to the incredible emergency services, health and social care workers, and front line medical staff for their incredible work to keep us safe and well at this troubling time. Since the government announced new guidelines on Monday 23 March, many of the high-street opticians have had to close. We understand NHS workers have limited time and resources to get their prescription glasses, which is why we want to support those with any urgent eyecare needs during these tough times. Those who need prescription glasses can order their frames safely online to their homes. We hope this takes away just some of their worry, if they need new glasses.”
Delta Net International
Delta Net, a compliance and health and safety e-Learning for businesses around the globe. already had an infrastructure in place for remote working, although a couple of their staff have chosen furlough for personal reasons. They have also asked staff to take some holiday during the first 6 months of the year. Early on, the company developed a short-course, 'Preventing the Spread of Infection' and made this free and available for all businesses, as well as compiled numerous blog resources to help businesses with remote working during this time. These focus on topics like mental health and cyber security.