SME Needs has always been based in Croydon, South London. The town has a reputation it doesn’t deserve, whilst being one of the fastest growing economies in the country. As a marketing agency, we want to help Croydon businesses to continue that growth, but we also want to ensure that we are giving back to the town that has been so good to us.
We do this in two ways:
Young Enterprise
This is a programme that helps young people understand what it is like running a business. Formed in 1962, it’s aim is to make the connection between school and the world of work, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed. There is plenty of media coverage talking about the gap between education and the needs of businesses; this helps to fill that gap.
Nigel has been involved in Young Enterprise since 1985 – when he took part in the programme. Kwikbux was the name of the company he was part of. They made clocks for kids and ran the tuck shop in the Sixth Form at Manshead School in Dunstable.
Since 2014, he has also been a Business Advisor for teams within the Company Programme. Croydon is one of a small number of areas which, until this year, ran the Company Programme, where the kids go into businesses rather than the Business Advisors going into the schools.
In that time he’s been lucky enough to work with two teams that won the Croydon Area Final and three that have progressed to the South London Final. His role: to simply be there and help the teams with whatever they need. To answer their questions and, when needed, ask questions to guide some of their thinking. It’s about helping them to learn what running a business is all about. It’s about helping them to improve their confidence, their presentation skills, their analytical thinking and much more. Skills that will be invaluable as they go into their chosen careers.
St Mildred’s Drop In
Every Sunday afternoon from September through to mid-July, St Mildred’s hosts the Drop-In for homeless and needy guests. During September, October and April- July, the sessions run from 1-3pm. From the beginning of November until Easter the sessions run from 1-6pm.
At the Drop-In they are able to provide showers, haircuts, second-hand clothing, new underwear, toiletries, snacks and drinks, a film, peace and quiet, board games, reading material and social interaction. The Drop-In receives up to 70 guests every Sunday.
Jane is one of a team of 40 volunteers that share the workload necessary to provide this vital service to those less fortunate than ourselves in Addiscombe. Jane cooks a mean chilli, at home before taking it into the drop-in, at least once a month and can usually be found serving and clearing what can sometimes be the only hot meal the guests have in a week.
They are always on the lookout for more volunteers and for more contributions, so if you can help, please get in touch. Contributions can be in the form of clothing, toiletries and even old towels (still in good condition please) if you aren’t able to donate your time.
Come and have a chat
If you would like to talk about our corporate social responsibility, let us know and let’s organise a coffee and a chat. Give us a call on 020 8634 5911 or click here and we’ll give you a call.
