BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES CASE STUDY Helping to make


a real difference FACTFILE COMPANY: If Everyone Cares CIC LOCATION: Entrepreneurial Spark, Bristol


WHAT WE DO: We connect communities one click at a time, make it as easy to find help and support locally as it is to find a hotel or restaurant on Google Maps.


HISTORY: After a life changing training course, in 2010 Jaki Bent created a simple solution to the huge issue of there not being a central database of information where people could find help, when they need it.


H NAME: Nicky Williams


POSITION: Creative, Digital Skills Advisor E: 0117 922 9081 T: nicky.williams@businesswest.co.uk


What does you role at Business West involve?


ow often do we have ideas that we believe will make a difference in the world – and yet we don’t take action? In the UK, there are over 200,000 charities


and community projects that provide crucial help and support for some of the most vulnerable people, yet there is nowhere that brings this information together in one place so that it can be searched for by location and need. Astounded by the number of people facing a


crisis who struggled to find the help available to them due to a lack of sign-posting of information, Jaki Bent set up If Everyone Cares CIC as a solution. Jaki had worked as a trainer helping people


who had been out of work long-term through illness and disability to regain their confidence and self-esteem so that they could return to work. After being told that a number of her clients were ‘no-hopers’ she realised that there was a critical need to provide a means for people to find help locally for themselves, their friends or their families. If Everyone Cares will connect communities


one click at a time. Jaki came up with the idea of Ododow™ (One Day, One Deed, One World), an interactive community map that will make it as easy to find help and support locally as it is to find a hotel or restaurant on Google Maps. Currently in the testing phase, Ododow™ will


be free to use and will be funded by the business elements of the company, starting with The Community Pledge™ (TCP), which is due to launch in July. The platform will provide PR and marketing


for businesses wanting to make a difference. Many SME’s have expressed a desire to give back to their community, but often lack of time and resources, struggle to find local causes, or are concerned with how to measure the impact of their help. TCP provides an online membership platform


to help them raise their business profile and connect with their community under one low annual membership fee, which will start at less than £1 a day. The projects are already gaining traction. If Everyone Cares CIC has been named on this year’s Digital Leaders 100 List for the potential of the work they are doing. The company has recently joined the Chamber, and Jaki believes that it has helped to spread the word. She said: “Since Business West gave us support putting our business plan together, we have started to attend the Chamber Breakfast Networking meetings and have made some great connections. “Two businesses have already expressed an


interest in becoming founding members of The Community Pledge™ and others have said that they will let local charities know about Ododow™ so that they can add their details to the map.” After selling her home two years ago so that


she could carry on working on the project, they are now looking for Impact Investment, sponsorship and founding Community Pledge Members to move to the next stage.


For more information about how to get involved, visit www.ifeveryonecares.org or give Jaki an email via jake@ifeveryonecares.org


As the Skills lead at Business West I am leading the development of a skills and training offer for our clients across the region. I spend quite a lot of time developing partnerships and writing funding applications. The skills offer includes a range of support from advising companies on their workforce development, accessing training, or even encouraging them to work with a local school or be involved in a careers panel. It’s quite a complicated landscape out there right now and companies need some quality impartial advice from a trusted source.


What were you doing before you worked at Business West?


Before working for the West of England LEP and Business West, I was education and digital media producer at Knowle West Media Centre, and before that I was a freelance film-maker and camera/lighting operator for 18 years.


What is the most unusual business you’ve encountered?


I think it has to be the metal art worker Rebecca Gouldson – I love her work.


What is your top tip for anyone starting out in business?


Be tenacious, persistent and seek out a mentor – that would be my top tip.


What are your interests outside of work?


Mountains, swimming, my garden and photography.


What did you want to be when you were growing up?


I wanted to be a land surveyor or a fashion designer! I loved drawing and loved mountains and rivers so it seemed like a good combination!


JULY/AUGUST 2016 insight 15 INSIDER


inspire


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36