Ep.45 How Connect Reading Empowers Local Growth
With Lorraine Briffitt
Episode Description:
In this episode, Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of Connect Reading, illustrates the charity’s mission to unite organisations in different sectors across Reading for mutual benefit.
Lorraine discusses how Connect Reading acts as a vital virtual hub for collaboration, bringing together businesses, charities, public sector services and education providers to strengthen the local community, economy, and environment.
This episode also highlights some of Connect Reading’s key activities, including the Summer Giving Appeal, Resource Xchange, and supporting local organisations to deliver impactful local social value. Offering insights into various challenges faced by local organisations, Lorraine talks about the power of collective action and Connect Reading’s ambitious vision for growth.
Finally, Lorraine also reflects on the broader evolution of Reading, and how fostering partnerships across sectors is imperative. She puts Connect Reading’s commitment to collaboration at the heart of how Reading can build a thriving local community.
Connect Reading website: https://connectreading.org.uk/
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Check out Upcoming Connect Reading Events:
Listen to the episode
Episode Time Codes
00:00 Greeting
00:28 Introduction to Connect Reading
01:27 How Lorraine got involved with Connect Reading
02:08 What is Lorraine’s mission for Connect Reading
03:10 How has Reading changed over the last 20 years
04:17 What Lorraine’s learned from her leadership roles
06:17 Examples of Connect Reading Projects
08:45 The challenges facing local businesses
10:54 Suggestions for how people can minimise these challenges
12:15 Collaborative opportunities for hospitality
13:12 How Connect Reading measures success
15:23 How Connect Reading helps local businesses
18:28 How Connect Reading is financed
20:40 Connect Reading’s plans for the future
22:26 Final thoughts for listeners
Videos
Challenges Facing Reading-Based Businesses
Suggestions to Minimise Business Challenges
How Connect Reading Helps Local Businesses
How Success is Measured at Connect Reading
Key takeaways
The Power of Collaboration for Business Resilience: The episode emphasises the benefits of businesses collaborating with other sectors. Lorraine points out that collaboration can lead to innovative solutions, such as group buying and service swaps, that help businesses, particularly SMEs, navigate economic challenges like rising costs.
Connect Reading as a Facilitator for Growth: For businesses looking to expand their local presence and connect with potential partners, the episode positions Connect Reading as a valuable resource. Lorraine explains how Connect Reading actively connects businesses with like-minded organisations.
Demonstrating Social Value: The episode clarifies the increasing importance of demonstrating social value in tender processes and how Connect Reading assists businesses in developing impactful social value offers.
Episode references
Check out Connect Reading’s upcoming campaigns:
Connect Reading Summer Giving Appeal:
Join Connect Reading: