Latest News

Getting To Know Bristol - Neighbourly Founder Nick Davies

Posted on: 26 Sep 2016

---

Neighbourly is a social platform connecting community and charity projects with helpful people and companies. It's a superb initiative and one we're very proud to have based in Bristol.

 

Neighbourly is a social network that provides local communities with a platform to help raise awareness of local projects and in turn helps people and organisations find out about these causes and how they can get involved. Companies and individuals search for projects where their money, expertise and time can make a difference. It's all about people helping out when and how they can and in any number of ways. 

 

We were lucky enough to speak with Neighbourly's founder, Nick Davies, to find out more...

When did you set up Neighbourly and can you give us a brief history? 

I set Neighbourly up in 2014 after a number of years running marketing agencies. At the time I was working with some of the world’s best-known companies, creating campaigns to help them build reputation and sales, but I realised that business was changing. Today’s companies need to be authentic, collaborative and purpose-driven if they’re to remain relevant and successful. Neighbourly was initially set up to help forward-thinking companies find ways to help society. Its now developed into a platform where businesses can help charitable causes but also where everyone in the community can come together to address local needs - through volunteering, making donations and using their social media reach to add weight to charity campaigns.

 

You are headquartered in Bristol which makes you a winner straight away. Why choose Bristol to launch?

Bristol is where I had worked in agencies for a long time before Neighbourly was conceived. We're based in the Engine Shed at Temple Meads, within the Setsquared Partnership which provides the perfect type of support for high tech start-up companies like ours. The cities of Bristol and Bath have been steadily expanding their local expertise and have now been revealed as being the largest tech clusters in the UK after London, so we're in a great place for finding the right digital skills. The city also has a strong reputation for sustainability - and a community-minded population that we believe matches the ethics of an initiative like Neighbourly.

How can Bristol people get involved?

Sign up at neighbourly.com, find projects that are happening in the city and follow, share, or see if there is a local need for volunteer support or donations. We're regularly running community campaigns with Neighbourly companies that people can get involved with through social media. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to keep updated. 

 

What can companies do to help?

Companies can use Neighbourly to find causes that they can support with financial donations, staff volunteer days and donations of surplus food. We also help companies run larger campaigns to support local or national community programmes.

Tell us about any upcoming events or campaigns scheduled.

This year we've been working with Marks & Spencer on their wonderful Spark Something Good volunteer programme which recently ran in Bristol and was a huge success with M&S staff, customers and local people helping 24 projects across the city. We're planning more of this type of activity next year which is a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved and make a difference locally. Also look out for Starbucks Red Cup Cheer campaign in the run up to Christmas. It's a fun and easy way for absolutely everyone to get involved and support some very worthwhile causes through social media.

 

What’s the best way for people to get in touch?

Sign up at neighbourly.com, email us at hello@neighbourly.com or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Where are we likely to see the Neighbourly team celebrating on a Friday evening?

Normally the Yurt which is now conveniently located just outside the Engine Shed! We sometimes venture out as far as King Street.

 

Where do you see Neighbourly in 5 years time?

Neighbourly will be the hub for community action - a place where every socially minded business, individual and charitable cause will come together to make things happen.

What advice would you give to organisations struggling with volunteers and fundraising?

Use every channel at your disposal to help tell your story and let people know what help you need. Use digital platforms and social media to spread the word. Once you have a group of people that support your cause, keep them engaged, updated and involved - so they feel valued and can help you reach new audiences through their own social channels.

 

If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?

I would work out a plan for a 'Bristol community day' where every business or individual in the city has an opportunity to support a local charity or community project. It could be an incredible event!

---