I Roll Up My Sleeves is a Social Enterprise built on 2 main commitments!

·         Supporting local charities and Social Enterprises

·         Supporting your business growth

We are based in rural Suffolk, but we are expanding across East Anglia and our plan is to expand across the UK in the next 2 years. I know what team work is all about and how important it is. My background is a career start in the Royal Navy and merchant navy which certainly taught me this over 10 years at the start of my career path. Then a single dad to my now 19 year old son before a successful career in sales as a BDM spanning 15 years across the UK. It is true what they say about how things can effect you and change how you see the world. My two definitive moments are the passing of my father in 2013 and the tearing of the Meniscus in my knee in 2015 which has brought me on a path to have a positive impact on my local community and future.

How do we do this? Our alternative to traditional Business Networking where working together, businesses can build valuable connections whilst supporting local community projects, social enterprises and charities. Do not expect the same type of networking that you have tried in the past or are attending, these business networking events are all built around a similar concept! We are the alternative, completely different and perfect for any business. Membership is also FREE! Just pay for each event that you like to attend, come along and give your time which will make a big difference to our organizations that we support, whilst you get the opportunity to meet other businesses in a more relaxed environment. Many small businesses are affiliating themselves with local organisations and charities to get their business noticed, whilst giving back to the community and helping others in the process. Which do you support? How do you choose? What if you can support more than one good cause and help a variety of disadvantaged people, support groups, worthy institutions or habitats in a meaningful way. Not all charities or organisations just need financial support. They need a variety of services, advice, customers, supporters, media exposure, awareness and help. Just like a normal business.

A recent review from one of our event attendees: - "one thing that struck me as a really innovative idea was the way you got everyone talking about their business. Asking people questions about their business rather than the usual 60 second pitch really put a different slant on it. It made me think much more about what I was saying and also made it somehow feel more genuine. I really enjoyed the concept, certainly different and a more relaxed way to meet new people. It was great to feel that you were giving back, if only in a small way. To be a help to others, to make their lives just a little easier made a great start to the week. Very motivating, great people, great idea."

The Benefits to the local Organisations

·         Free to be a member

·         Opportunity to broaden awareness in the local business community

·         Percentage of ticket fee given as a donation

·         Small projects completed for free

·         Potential for more volunteers

·         Increased attendance at future events

·         Free PR across our websites and social media

·         Events listed on our website

·         Full profile on our website

·         Attraction of new committee members

·         Business support and advice

·         Attract company sponsors and donations

Setting up I Roll Up My Sleeves Social Enterprise, we have had many talks with various small charities and local organisations in finding what they need! Although they would not survive without financial donations, by selling goods or government funding, time is so precious to them. Many of these organisations survive through a small army of volunteers who put as much time into them as they can to do most of the jobs that need doing. These volunteers unfortunately never seem to be together at the same time and some projects stay on the To Do list for weeks / months or never get completed. They are not large projects, but smaller tasks that would make such a big big difference to the people that they support, just like our previous business networking event in Bury St Edmunds where we cleared out a polytunnel, prepped the ground and planted tomato plants, all in an hour that would have taken the farm workers on this amazing care farm all day to do. 

As a business you get to make that difference and get to meet other local businesses that like to say I Roll Up My Sleeves. It is a known fact that when people work alongside each other they will talk, naturally more genuine without even realising it. Many of the other networking events follow a very similar format which is great, but it is time for an alternative way. You not only will find our events different and a more relaxed way to meet new people but you will be able to return to work knowing you have made a difference having a good feeling inside. We look forward to seeing you at one of our next Business Networking Events

The £2,500 funding is required mainly for marketing and to support our initial early growth with printing equipment, to attract members. We are members of the Suffolk Chamber and by supporting us you will in turn be supporting many great community projects. We have run 7 events in 2 towns so far in our first 5 months. We are getting established in Suffolk but we are being approached by more charities in the East Anglian region, but we want to have more growth throughout the UK. We are attending a Social Enterprise course at the end of September which will enable us to grow more rapidy, with the expectation of being enrolled on a 1 year course with them.