Ionic x SAVS digital workshops
Collaboration can create a positive community impact.
The recent partnership between one of our customers, Ionic Digital and SAVS, a Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) helping local charities and community groups achieve their full potential, is testament to the Anne Frank quote: “No one has become poor from giving.”
It should come as no surprise to learn that Launchpad is all about collaboration. We invest so much into nurturing collaborative opportunities because it’s a key part of creating successful, innovative businesses.
But did you know that it can help to add social value too?
Launchpad and the businesses here are more ambitious than just being successful, together we want to make a positive difference to the local community through big and small actions.
When green shoots go dormant
The green shoots of this collaboration can be traced back to a pre-COVID era, where the seeds of an idea were planted during an off-chance meeting. SAVS, serving as a gateway and essential support to the voluntary sector, had been nurturing the concept of lunchtime learning sessions to enrich the skills and capabilities of its members.
Enter Dan Bacon, Founder of Ionic Digital, with his extensive digital expertise and knowledge, plus experience of supporting not-for-profit and third sector organisations – the missing piece to SAVS’s vision.
However, as is sometimes the case and for no particular reason the initial idea lay dormant. Luckily, this wasn’t a sliding doors moment, it just wasn’t the right time.
This is why it helps to have exclusive access to a Business Growth Manager to ignite opportunity. Part of the purpose of a Business Growth Manager at Launchpad Southend is to scan the horizon for opportunities so when Jacqui Stimpson discovered SAVS were looking to launch some free learning opportunities for their clients and understood Ionic Digital’s values and experience of supporting the not-for-profit sector, she put them back in touch.
Bringing an idea back to life
With a well-timed spark and recognising the mutual benefits of collaboration, SAVS and Ionic Digital forged a partnership that would not only enhance the skills of SAVS members but also extend knowledge-sharing and promotion
opportunities to the broader sector. This culminated in the SAVS Lunchinars – a series of bite-sized digital-focused learning sessions, complemented by topics spanning business skills, safeguarding, fundraising, and more.
Dan Bacon said:
It’s been great to see the impact the lunchinars have been having on local community groups.
They’re often the unsung heros so, along with SAVS, I’m glad to support however I can.
It’s also a mutually beneficial opportunity to showcase my business and direct sector experience.
Social value plus business benefits
What sets these lunchinars apart is their accessibility and inclusivity.
While initially designed with SAVS members in mind, the sessions are open to anyone, catering particularly to nonprofits and organisations striving to make a social impact.
The format of each lunchinar is carefully planned to maximise engagement and learning within a concise timeframe.
Usually, a 40-minute presentation is followed by an interactive Q&A session, providing attendees with the opportunity to delve deeper into the subject matter and glean insights from industry experts, like Dan from Ionic Digital.
Additionally, each session is recorded and uploaded online, ensuring accessibility beyond the live event and accommodating diverse schedules.
The impact of these sessions extends far beyond mere knowledge dissemination.
Looking ahead, the success of the inaugural lunchinar series sets the stage for future replication and expansion. Plans are underway to continue offering these sessions, with a commitment to maintaining their introductory level, resource-rich format.
Moreover, packages are being developed to extend the benefits of this collaboration to a wider audience, amplifying the social value generated.
Empowering the community
In essence, the collaboration between SAVS and Ionic, ignited by Launchpad exemplifies the potential of collective action in driving social change.
By leveraging expertise, resources, and collaborative platforms, this initiative not only empowers non-profits with digital innovation but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and community support.
After a successful series so far, the next session, on Wednesday 20th March, is all about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Google Ads to boost online visibility.
Visit the SAVS website to find out more or book a place.
