Giving Back to Bristol - Who We've Helped
Living (Formerly The Disabled Living Centre) provides disabled and elderly people with assistive technology and equipment, which gives them greater independence, comfort and freedom while at home and in the community.
When the DLC needed to rebrand and launch a new fundraising appeal, they approached Cherry D for assistance with their strategic marketing and fundraising planning.
Working in partnership with Bristol Pro-Help member Burleigh Press, Cherry D helped DLC create and implement a strategic plan around the launch of their fundraising appeal. Work involved providing essential training on fundraising, charity law, data protection & marketing, setting up a volunteer fundraising group and developing a ‘clean’ database that complied with data regulations. Cherry D advised on the appeal image and message, put a response handling procedure in place then launched the direct mail appeal to all 13,000 on the database.
As well as establishing key office procedures, the campaign resulted in:
- £6,642 in donations
- £1,400 worth of gifts-in-kind
- 4 fundraising volunteers
- 3 legacy donors
Sara Burgess, Director of The Disabled Living Centre said,
“Cherry D has enabled the Disabled Living Centre to move forward with its plans to launch a Fundraising Campaign that is vital to ensure that it can keep up with the success and demand for its services. With advice, information and guidance through meetings, workshops and regular communication, Cherry D has eased the DLC’s passage through challenging new ground.”
The Family Centre (for Deaf Children) offers services for families who have a child with any level of hearing loss. Services include free British Sign Language classes for parents, siblings and grandparents, a home visiting service by deaf and hearing professionals, educational liaison and activities and events for deaf and deafened children and their families.
Cherry D was approached by the Family Centre, their management was unmotivated and lacking in vision and there were impending financial problems. Through running a development day for staff and trustees, Cherry D helped the charity to identify common goals and ways in which the management structure could be strengthened to support these. We also provided mentoring and support to enable a key worker to implement the new structure and working processes.
Jean McLaughlin, The Family Centre (for Deaf Children) said:
“Three years down the line we now have a strong management committee, enthusiastic staff and are looking forward to launching a major appeal and re-branding in 2006, all with the support and expertise of Cherry D.”
Southmead Project aims to reduce substance related harm to individuals and their families and to promote community safety within Southmead and the surrounding areas. On its 10th anniversary, the Southmead Project approached Cherry D for ideas on how it could use the opportunity to increase awareness of its services.
Cherry D provided advice on their organisational strategy as well as recommendations and support with operations. We helped with the design and production of their 10th anniversary annual report then used the news opportunity to strengthen their regional profile in local newspapers, radio and TV.
This help resulted in a £2,000 donation from The Funding Network as well as gifts in kind from local businesses. The campaign’s media coverage enabled them raise awareness of their services among service users and other service providers. They also strengthened their in-house marketing expertise.
Mike Peirce MBE, Chief Executive of Southmead Project said:
“The news/media coverage has been of the highest order leading to a general re-think on how possible funding from Neighbourhood Renewal funds might be spent.…On behalf of all concerned at this charity, the clients it represents and the community in general, please accept our thanks and best wishes.”
The Space Trust helps families in temporary accommodation through providing outreach clubs, free furniture, quality second-hand clothes and toys for those who have recently been re-housed. When they approached Cherry D, their furniture project was failing and their services lacking in structure and efficiency.
Through a series of development days, Cherry D identified where the organisation could be helped. We then provided management and trustees with ongoing strategic advice and support. Recommendations were made to strengthen staff relations through improved internal communications. And Cherry D provided them with support developing a comprehensive marketing and fundraising strategy.
The Space Trust now has an effective marketing and fundraising strategy, which has enabled them to raise awareness of their services and fund their move to new premises. They were recently awarded £10,000 from Lloyds TSB and a new staff member has been appointed.
Maggie Moore, Administration Manager for The Space Trust, Easton said:
“Space Trust was in crisis when we approached Cherry D….the team at Cherry D helped us to streamline our service and get the furniture project back up and running. We could not have got through the crisis without their help.“
If you would like to give us any feedback on these resources or if you would like to be kept informed of new workshops, email us on hello@cherryd.org or call 0117 317-9571.
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