Local impact - Journal

How Buggies 4 Brum turned collaboration into powerful citywide support — and national BBC coverage

Buggies 4 Brum Campaign Launch. Photo: Samuel Singer — The Buggies 4 Brum campaign was launched after the Safe Sleep Scheme which provides sleeping equipment to families with children under 5 who are living in crisis situations.

“One mother had to use a shopping trolley to take her child to a medical appointment.”

In January 2024, Birmingham PlayCare Network launched its Safe Sleep Scheme with Thrive Together Birmingham, Spurgeons and Barnardo’s to give families cots and Moses baskets.

While working on that project, their Business Development Manager, Emma Martin, realised the need for pushchairs, with many families struggling without.

During harsh winter months, there was a concern that some families without cars would feel “trapped at home“, isolated from the local community, and without easy access to essential appointments for their children.

One mum had to use a shopping trolley to take her child to a health appointment.

“We have many families currently living in crisis who can’t afford the basics to support their children. To be able to access a pram could be life-changing — simply by being able to take your child to appointments, get a sibling to school on time, whilst your baby is warm and dry in a lovely new buggy.”

The mission was simple but urgent: help families access the basic equipment they need to keep their children warm, safe, and mobile.

This was the launch of the Buggies 4 Brum appeal, asking businesses and individuals for donations of preloved or new buggies and prams.

Since their launch, in mid-November at the Fort Shopping Centre, Birmingham, with support from Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Voluntary Service Council and partners, the appeal has gained national attention through a BBC feature.

To maximise impact, Birmingham PlayCare Network posted their request for buggies on the Match My Project platform, along with a second request for a photographer to capture the launch of the Buggies 4 Brum campaign.

Local supplier BSN Group Construction stepped in and supported both.

We spoke to Emma about how the Match My Project platform has supported the campaign.

PlayCare Network's Emma Martin at the Buggies 4 Brum campaign launch. Photo: Samuel Singer

“Five minutes to load up a project was easy.”

Discovering Match My Project

Emma first heard about Match My Project (MMP) through PlayCare Network’s reuse project The Scrapstore, but it was a conference last year — highlighting collaboration between charities and private businesses via Social Value — that prompted her to give the platform a try.

“I’m an optimist and thought I had nothing to lose. Five minutes to load up a project was easy, and I knew our work was impactful. I was hopeful that businesses would want to support what we were trying to achieve.”

“MMP has definitely made my work easier — without question.”

How Match My Project Changed Their Approach

Using Match My Project has transformed the way Birmingham PlayCare Network secures support.

Emma shares:

“MMP has definitely made my work easier — without question. Whereas before I could spend hours writing a funding bid which could be rejected with no feedback, now if there is something I need to support the centre or a new campaign, I can put it on MMP. Our requests can be supported by multiple partners and we can really develop relationships with those businesses.”

Instead of laborious fundraising applications, Match My Project allows for quick resource requests that build genuine working relationships with businesses.

“Businesses can directly see how their support is helping our local community.”

“It’s all about building relationships with businesses.”

A Platform for Partnership

Beyond donations, Match My Project has opened the door to ongoing relationships with volunteers and businesses.

“We’ve met quite a few businesses who said it was hard to find places to volunteer or support. Those people are now regularly in contact with us, looking to see when they can do their next volunteering day.”

For other community organisations looking to get support, Emma’s advice is simple:

“It’s all about building relationships with businesses, and making the requests achievable, not complicated, and if financial asks — realistic.”

A Message to Future Business Partners

“It’s great to meet new partners. They’re genuinely interested in what we do and respect us for it. People are often surprised by how much we achieve with very limited resource. For those operating in the charity sector, to have our work valued and recognised across the business world is important.”

#Toys4Bham is running in 2025 after last year’s successful campaign.

How you can help Buggies 4 Brum

Donate a Preloved Buggy or Pram — Double buggies and newborn prams are especially needed. Don’t worry, charity partners will repair and refresh it if necessary.

Make a Financial Contribution — Help us buy new buggies in bulk. Your donation also supports jobs for people back into employment.

Spread the word — get your employees, volunteers, customers or supporters on board. Download the flyer here.

Making a Difference for Birmingham Families this Christmas

Birmingham Playcare Network runs a range of schemes to support families — from collecting and redistributing craft supplies as part of The Scrapstore, to donating toys to children at Christmas through Toys4Bham, running coffee mornings in their Warm Welcome community space, and helping mothers connect through Brummie Mummies.

Together with their community partner, Thrive Together Birmingham, they are always looking for more support. As we count down to Christmas, Toys4Bham is up and running for 2025, aiming to make the festive period as special for as many vulnerable children as possible.

Are you a business that can help?
Head to the Match My Project platform and offer your support.

🔗 You can read the BBC piece here: Charity’s appeal to give pushchairs to families

💡 Top 5 Tips for Community-Based Organisations to Maximise Social Value through Match My Project

At the start of November, Oxford City Council welcomed more than 30 local organisations at Oxford Town Hall for a Match My Project networking event designed to strengthen connections between businesses and community groups for Social Value collaboration.

Setting the Scene: Why Match My Project Matters

The event opened with Oxford City Council’s Head of Economy, City Centre and Green Transport, who set the tone by highlighting the city’s commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive local economy.

Our CEO, Dan Ebanks, and our delivery manager, Susanna, followed with an introduction to Match My Project — why the platform exists, how it works, and how it helps local businesses and community organisations connect to deliver meaningful, targeted and community-led Social Value. In turn, this supports the community organisations that strengthen our local areas and help drive a more inclusive society.

Photo of attendees gathered for the Oxford City Council matching event, facing a presenter and screen at the front of the room.

Real stories, real impact: two successful matches

One of the highlights of the afternoon came from organisations already using the platform to collaborate:

ACE Training & Consultancy Ltd shared their experience working with St. Thomas Day Nursery.
Knight Build Limited spoke about their project with A2Dominion Group, illustrating how construction businesses can meaningfully engage with social impact initiatives.

Both case studies highlighted the practical benefits of using a matching platform to build structured, outcome-focused collaborations.

Live Pitches From Local VCFSE Organisations

Three Oxford charities delivered short pitches to showcase their current needs:

Aspire Oxfordshire
The Gatehouse Oxford
OXPIP – The Oxford Parent Infant Project

These pitches helped businesses quickly understand where their skills, resources, or capacity could make a tangible difference.

Jenny Bowley, CEO of OCVA, with Match My Project CEO & Co-founder, Dan Ebanks during the Oxford City Council Matching Event.

Closing reflections

The event concluded with a focused networking session that enabled attendees to form new connections and explore ideas for future collaboration. It was a clear demonstration of the value of bringing organisations together in a structured setting.

The high level of engagement, from lively conversations to genuine enthusiasm, highlighted how effective these environments can be for building relationships and supporting meaningful knowledge-sharing.

One week later, the momentum continued with a Match My Project webinar hosted by Jenny (pictured above) from OCVA, an organisation that supports and empowers volunteers, networks, partnerships, and non-profit organisations of all size. Her session provided practical guidance for local community organisations wanting to get started on the platform.

You can read OCVA’s full write-up here: Match My Project: Answering the questions and spreading the word

Get involved

Are you a supplier or community organisation based in Oxford?

Have questions? Reach out at hello@matchmyproject.org 💌

Thirteen Group launch event in Middlesbrough. The photo shows a conference room prepared for attendees, with Match My Project tote bags placed on each chair.

Thirteen Group Launch: Our first initiative in the North East

Thirteen Group is a housing association that provides around 100,000 people in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region with homes, support and opportunities to grow. In mid-October, we attended the Thirteen Group launch event in Middlesbrough, alongside Julie Hollins and Cheryl Hodds from Thirteen, as well as community leaders, local authorities, and businesses.

It was an inspiring launch that showcased Thirteen’s commitment to Social Value and local collaboration. We’d like to thank Julie and Cheryl for their hard work. Their dedication to their local residents and community organisations was evident throughout the event.

Our co-founder, Dan, introduced Match My Project and gave a live demo, showing how the platform can directly support social impact.

Local voices: Linx Youth Project

The event also featured presentations from local partners, including a thought-provoking talk by Wayne Mason, Chief Executive at the Linx Youth Project. Representing one half of Thirteen’s very first match during the pilot phase, Wayne highlighted the importance of creating a space where community organisations can share what they need and businesses can easily step in to support those requirements.

Wayne humbly described his organisation’s work as providing three fundamental provisions for local children: a safe space, engaging activities, and an environment where they feel acknowledged and valued.

It was a sobering realisation for many of us present that while our own children may be fortunate enough to experience these things, many children in the North East – and throughout the country – do not.

Wayne emphasised how investing in young people supports long-term economic growth. By fostering a sense of belonging, the Linx Youth Project helps young people stay, work, and build futures in their local area.

“Every young person we meet is a story still being written. Sometimes, they just need someone to hand them a pen. At Linx, that’s what we do. We help them write better chapters; for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Why our work matters

For us at Match My Project, it was a reminder of why our work matters. Beyond the technology and processes behind the platform, our mission is to help individuals and organisations create lasting, positive change in their own communities. While we focus on developing features that make collaboration easier, our purpose begins and ends with the community.

This marks Match My Project’s first initiative in the North East, and we’re optimistic about its progress. With Julie and Cheryl guiding its launch, we are confident about its potential to drive a more connected, measurable and impactful approach to Social Value delivery.

Photo shows a room full of people attending the Thirteen Group launch event in Middlesborough

Are you a supplier or community organisation based in the North East?

Sign up to Thirteen’s site here. It’s free, quick and connects community projects with local suppliers ready to give back.

Have questions? Drop us a line at hello@matchmyproject.org 💌

The sky was blue on the day we visited Nottingham, and the outlook for cross-sector collaboration across the East Midlands was equally bright.

We were delighted to attend the official launch of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Match My Project site in early September.

The launch marked an important milestone for both the region and our platform.

Mayor Claire Ward introduced Match My Project to attendees, emphasising its significance for the East Midlands.

As she explained, the authority’s investment in Match My Project represents a commitment to a region that “hasn’t had investment opportunities quite as much as it should have over the last few years.”

A regional rollout

This is the first time Match My Project has been rolled out by a Combined Authority.

Mayor Ward articulated why this moment matters:

“What I’m particularly delighted about is that this is the very first opportunity to do so on a regional scale, to bring together our councils: Nottinghamshire County Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City and Derby City, and to make each component part, and the relationships they have within our region, much greater, so we become much greater than the sum of our parts – that’s essentially what devolution and regional authority is all about.”

Match My Project doesn’t create Social Value – we build technology that enables its delivery. This regional approach represents a significant step forward in supporting public sector bodies to build more resilient and connected communities at scale.

A successful match

A local charity and a construction company shared how Match My Project helped them achieve tangible results during EMCCA’s pilot phase.

Marc Wade from Just Good Friends Club – a charity supporting people with learning disabilities – posted a request for volunteers to help with their community garden and coffee shack.

Just a few days later, Terri Walker from Lovell Partnerships Ltd, a construction company, spotted the opportunity and offered their support – it was a match!

But the story doesn’t end there.

After this positive start, Lovell used the platform again to offer seven brand-new kitchen sets, complete with base and wall units and worktops. These kitchens were surplus stock from a recently completed contract that had never been used or installed.

Walker said:

“We’ve got rid of seven kitchens that probably would have gone to landfill, so there’s so many outputs there. It’s just been a really easy platform to use, and it’s been great to connect with smaller organisations that we wouldn’t have known about prior.”

Looking forward

Since the event, there’s been a significant surge in sign-ups to the platform. We’re thrilled to see organisations across the East Midlands embracing the platform, and look forward to working closely with local authorities, community organisations and businesses to maximise social value delivery in the region.

Interested in joining the network?

Village Heating and Hyde Housing’s Sheltered and Supported team serve up community spirit.

Each year, residents of Hardwick Court, Erith, celebrate the end of Wimbledon with strawberries and cream.

This occasion is typically funded by the residents themselves.

This year, when Wendy Woods, Housing scheme officer at Hyde Housing, noticed low morale amongst some elderly residents, she decided to host a ploughman’s lunch followed by Strawberries and cream – free of charge!

Woods notes that a significant number of the residents live on fixed or low incomes, making it difficult for them to afford nutritious meals or transportation to social events.

Hoping to treat the residents, Woods turned to Match My Project to bring her idea to life.

Soon after the project went live, Village Heating committed to funding the event. Woods notes the professionalism of Rajesh Vekria, Village Heating’s Chief Financial Officer – Hyde Housing’s Sheltered and Supported team received £150 in Morrisons vouchers on the very same day the offer was accepted.

Thanks to Village Heating’s generous donation, 28 residents enjoyed cheese, ham, fresh bread rolls and pickles. They then had strawberries and cream for dessert, followed by a music quiz to round off the afternoon.

Here’s what Woods had to say about the experience:

“The residents really enjoyed it, especially some of our older ones who don’t get to go out very much due to mobility issues etc…

My experience of MMP has always been a positive one, it has allowed us to give back to our residents in ways that we haven’t been able to before.

Obviously, it pays to do your research prior to do an application/project but on the whole it has helped improve the lives of our residents in a very positive way.”

What a lovely way to bring the community together! We loved hearing how residents who might otherwise miss out on social events got to enjoy good food, company, and a bit of fun.

If you have a story to share, please do be in touch; otherwise, keep an eye out on our LinkedIn page for more project updates!

Are you a business looking fulfil your Social Value commitments?
You can connect directly with grassroots organisations doing important work in local communities on Match My Project.
Are you a community organisation looking for a direct route to private-sector support? Your project could be the next to receive crucial support and resources.
Sign up via your local authority’s homepage at matchmyproject.org.

Pemberton Green Spaces and Radius Security Ltd dig in.

What started as a pitch at our online event has blossomed into something special.

In late April, we hosted a briefing event for our partners in the North West.

We gathered local businesses, VCSFE’s and public sector representatives to celebrate successes, share tips, and look ahead to the future of social value delivery in the region.

Some community-based organisations from the region pitched their upcoming projects to other organisations in the room.

Here’s one story from a resulting match.

Pemberton Green Spaces needed volunteers to help realise their ‘From Coal to Colour’ planting project in Pemberton, Wigan.

This project aims to enhance greenery on an urban highway in a busy residential area of Wigan’s previous mining districts.

Radius Security employees rolled up their sleeves and got involved.

Here’s what Ange Colquitt from Pemberton Green Spaces had to say about the partnership:

“Businesses like Radius Security are a vital part of our volunteer effort. We’ve found MMP really helpful for getting businesses and other organisations involved. It’s a great way to bring community groups and business/other organisations together.

It was easy to put our project request on the platform (Wigan Council are great at advising too on the off chance something in a request isn’t quite right). After speaking at the North West event, it was straightforward to do the ‘match up’ on the platform with Radius, and then liaise with Darren at Radius directly for the support we were looking for.”

This collaborative effort is brightening up the neighbourhood with colour and greenery while also providing food and shelter for wildlife. As a result, the area feels more cared for, and is inspiring pride in the community.

Here’s to more partnerships planting seeds of positivity in communities across the North West and beyond.

Throughout August, we’ll be showcasing some summer-themed case studies on our Journal and LinkedIn pages. Keep an eye out for more cheery stories like this one, and let us know if you have one to share!

We are proud to announce that Onward Homes has renewed its partnership with Match My Project for another two years. This decision highlights their long-term commitment to delivering social value and supporting the communities they serve.

As one of the largest housing providers in the North West, Onward Homes manages over 35,000 properties across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, and Lancashire. Their mission extends beyond providing housing; they are dedicated to empowering residents and investing in neighbourhoods to help people lead happier, more independent lives.

A Mission Backed by Action

Onward’s collaboration with Match My Project has united businesses, suppliers, and grassroots organisations to achieve tangible results. From community gardening initiatives to skills-based volunteering, every match made on the platform contributes to Onward’s broader mission of strengthening local communities.

Here’s what that looks like in numbers:

🏢 104 businesses signed up to support local communities

🤝 102 community organisations engaged

⏱️ 1,029 volunteer hours donated

🌱 61 projects completed

🔄 53 more in the pipeline

🔧 16 suppliers actively offering support

These numbers represent real people uplifted, spaces improved, and relationships built across various sectors.

Why It Matters

By extending this partnership for another two years, Onward Homes reaffirms its commitment to the importance of long-term collaborations that foster local impact. This partnership enables Onward to:

Support grassroots organisations addressing real-world challenges
Help businesses create meaningful social value within the communities they serve
Build a stronger network of support for residents across the North West

What’s Next?

Onward Homes is committed to delivering practical, high-impact solutions, ranging from volunteering initiatives to supplier-driven contributions. Together, we are working towards a future where housing providers act as catalysts for lasting, community-led change.

We look forward to seeing what the next two years bring, and we’re proud to be part of the journey.

Looking to simplify the way your organisation delivers social value?
Contracting authorities can sign up here to get started.

We’re thrilled to shine a light on Ian Williams, one of our standout suppliers on Match My Project this June. Known for their innovative approach to property services, Ian Williams delivers directly to homes and buildings across housing, education, retirement living, and commercial sectors.

Their wide-ranging expertise includes property maintenance, planned investment, redecoration programmes, passive fire protection, decarbonisation, and compliance services. Introduced to our platform via Hyde Housing, Onward Homes, and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, the team has gone above and beyond in creating meaningful Social Value through their work.

Their impact so far speaks for itself:

25 organisations supported
26 projects completed
16 projects underway
75 hours contributed
£14,579 Value of materials & money donated

But it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about the lasting difference Ian Williams is making in people’s lives. Each project is a testament to their hands-on commitment to community wellbeing, transforming everyday spaces into places of pride, comfort, and connection. Take a look at just a few of the inspiring initiatives they’ve brought to life:

Here are just a few of the incredible initiatives they’ve supported:

Clearing and painting Moss Street alleyway in Salford East for Onward Homes.

Redecorating rooms at Kennington Park Community Centre for the Hyde Group Junior Board

Donating a coffee machine to the Latvian Community Association’s charity office in Peterborough

Sponsorship of Boxing equipment for women in Nottingham for Second Chance Learning Academy.

Community feedback reflects the genuine care and professionalism of the Ian Williams team:

“Ian Williams Ltd was great at communicating throughout the project and made a real difference to the area with the work they did. Residents around the alleyway are so pleased with the work.” – Onward Homes.

“We’d like to say a huge thanks to Ian Williams Ltd, who kindly donated the funds that have allowed these celebrations to happen. The funding they’ve provided means that 36 Hyde schemes have food and decorations to support the Jubilee celebrations. You have lifted the community spirit with your kind gesture on this special occasion. Thank you so much from the staff and residents at Hyde. – Hyde Housing – Sheltered & Supported.

“The Team at JRF are very grateful to Ian Williams Ltd for their expertise and the work they provided expanding our existing gym area, so that the space can be used by more people from the local community at one time. The work was undertaken professionally, efficiently, and completed promptly. We are very grateful for their generosity in carrying out this work.” – Jason Roberts Foundation.

“The residents of Hyde’s sheltered schemes, Hardwick Court, Miller Court, and Baltimore Place, would like to say a huge thank you to Ian Williams for funding our annual coach trip to Southend-on-Sea.” – Hyde Housing – Sheltered & Supported.

Every hour volunteered and every project completed helps build resilient and inclusive communities. Ian Williams Ltd goes beyond contractual obligations, delivering services with purpose and a deep understanding of local needs.

We’re proud to count them among the suppliers active on the Match My Project platform and look forward to the continued positive impact they will bring in partnership with public sector organisations across the UK.

If you’re not yet a member of our network, we invite you to join!

Simply visit our homepage, select one of the authorities you partner with, and complete the signup process. Or if you are a contracting authority, you can sign up here.

We look forward to welcoming you!

At the end of May Peabody launched their Match My Project platform.

The Match My Project team is so pleased to be working with Peabody, one of the oldest, and largest, housing associations in the UK.

It was founded in 1862 by the American banker and philanthropist George Peabody. The first Peabody dwellings were in Spitalfields, on the edge of the City and not too far from where the Match My Project is based.

By using Match My Project, Peabody is continuing its long history of working with communities to tackle social and economic inequality.

Indeed, Peabody continues to innovate – for example with its 189-home project at Deptford Landings, one of the biggest single-phase Passivhaus projects in the UK.

Peabody is also leading the regeneration of south east London, with its enormous programmes in Thamesmead, Abbey Wood and Plumstead, with significant investment from the Greater London Authority.

We had a great launch – thanks goes to Corin Menuge and team. And thanks to Stephen Burns, Peabody’s Executive Director for Care, Supported Housing and Inclusion.

And also a great turnout with lots of Peabody community partners and suppliers in the room.

The in-person launches are always great, as it gives the Match My Project team a chance to get out in front on local stakeholders. One of the things we’re most proud of is the approach-ability and responsiveness of our team. It was an opportunity for everyone to put Match My Project names to faces.

So, if you want to get speak to someone about getting involved with Peabody’s Match My Project platform, here’s how:

– Get in touch with the Match My Project team here

– Get in touch with the Peabody team here

– Stay up to date with Match My Project opportunities if you are a business or a community organisation or a local public sector organisation.