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Client Case Study - Virtual Assistant Support for North Northants Social Enterprise Network 

 
THE CAUSE 
 
North Northants Social Enterprise Network (NNSE) was founded under the already successful and long-standing umbrella of Brightwayz during lockdown in 2020. The purposeful creation of already nationally-recognised social entrepreneur, Alison Holland, NNSE was founded with a clear vision - for North Northamptonshire to become a thriving hub of social entrepreneurship. Bringing financial, social and environmental prosperity to the area. 
 
If you’re not familiar, a social enterprise is defined as a business that aims to make a social or environmental impact, with all profits ploughed back to support those aims. 
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Fuelled by the mission to connect, support and promote social enterprises across North Northamptonshire, Alison saw not only the significant need, but also the untapped potential for NNSE to connect local social enterprises with each other as well as with local leaders, influencers and other partners. To ultimately increase collaborations, funding opportunities and the impact of partnership projects. 
 
In the early days Alison drew on the expertise of her own network to apply for community grant funding to give the project the resources it needed to get off the ground. Part of this funding was allocated to provide a dedicated Alchemy Virtual Assistant
THE CHALLENGE 
 
Alison founded her first social enterprise (Brightwayz) in 2004. Having over two decades of lived experience under her belt, she knew all too well what energy, time, expertise and resources would be required to start and grow another successful organisation. Already being responsible for one well established social enterprise, Alison was under no illusions about the scale and scope of the work that was needed to establish North Northamptonshire Social Enterprise Network. She knew that she couldn’t do it all alone. But the needs, potential and vast benefits to future members kept playing on her mind and helped her keep moving forward with the project however she could. 
 
There was a lot of groundwork to be carried out, there were troops to rally, governance structures to form and place, streamlined processes to be created, member recruitment campaigns to be planned and carried out… and so much more! 
 
If NNSE was to achieve its ambitious aims, Alison knew that it had to be done from solid, stable foundations. 
Whilst there was a clear need for administrative and operational support, to a newly emerging organisation, recruiting an experienced employee simply wasn’t a viable option from a cashflow or time perspective. For example, there was no suitable free office space or spare funds for equipment. Ultimately, the network was not yet ready to commit to an employee. It needed true flexibility from many perspectives to help it grow. 
Being well known and networked, Alison had crossed paths with Alchemy Virtual Assistance many years prior. The Alchemy VA team have proudly had the opportunity to support Alison with several, smaller adhoc projects in the past through Brightwayz and its Brand My Thingy arm - their general promotional products range which help fund their community projects. 
 
Beyond previous experiences working with an Alchemy VA, Alison knew that the diverse skill set and vast expertise that could be found across the wider Alchemy VA team was also of significant value. Thanks to Alchemy VA’s unique business model, Alison could gain the commitment and simplicity from having a dedicated Virtual Assistant (in this case the wonderful Rachel Eccles) and also leverage a much wider skills pool from the rest of the Alchemy VA family - at no extra charge. 
 
So, to Alison, Alchemy VA were the natural choice when it came to engaging a trusted business support provider. 
THE SOLUTION 
 
With funding in place, Alison carefully started to set things in motion. Ably assisted by long serving Alchemy VA Rachel Eccles and expertly supported by Alchemy VA’s first ever Franchise Partner Sarah Damani – thoughts started to become things… 
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1. Structure and foundations for future collaborative working was formed 
 
2. Digital member listings were created, and new members were engaged 
 
3. New member recruitment activities were defined 
 
4. An essential ‘management committee’ was established 
 
5. Virtual and in person events and training where researched, planned, prepared and carried out 
 
6. Key stakeholder meetings were planned, communicated and executed – minute taking & report preparation included! 
Reflecting on why the collaborative partnership (as Alison sees it) with Alchemy VA works so well, Alison attributes the powerful blend of Alchemy’s people working together to be the secret to success. Citing Sarah’s unique experience both through prior roles and the connections she has built over the years establishing herself as a reliable and credible Virtual Assistant business - a huge additional benefit. Sarah also possesses a wealth of knowledge regarding community interest organisations and social enterprises. This combined with a vast working knowledge of bids, tenders and funding makes up a powerful blend of well rounded business support to the network. 
 
Whilst Rachel confidently and expertly takes the lead on day-to-day tasks and longer term initiatives, Sarah attentively oversees activities and supports with ideas, brainstorming, recommendations or introductions – a potent combination of skills and expertise which drives so much value to Alison and NNSE. 
Despite only committing to a small number of hours each week, a lot gets done and incredibly well making Alchemy VA the perfect thinking and doing partners! 
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THE IMPACT 
 
NNSE officially launched during the winter of 2023/24. The work carried out by Rachel and Sarah has directly contributed to NNSE becoming better governed and a truly dynamic team of local social entrepreneurs sharing knowledge and skills.  
 
Alchemy VA has enabled Alison and the wider network to capture and maximise other local experts, access wider skills and more specific knowledge.  
Virtual Assistant support has enabled NNSE to become a living, breathing, nourishing organisation – not just an idea or a struggling solo operation. 
 
The organic growth of the network has proved there’s a real need to support local social entrepreneurs. 
During the 9 months accessing support from Alchemy VA, NNSE has seen its membership numbers rise from 20 to 33, with plans in place to start an Alchemy powered membership recruitment campaign imminently. Carefully curated to help even more local social entrepreneurs access the immense value the network provides at no cost to them. 
 
Reflecting on a recent feedback report prepared to evidence how a funded virtual assistant has impacted the network, Alison felt proud and in awe of just how much has been accomplished in collaboration with Alchemy VA and trusted network members. 
 
NNSE is now set up as a community association in its own right. Alchemy VA has ensured the operational foundations are as simple and streamlined as possible to facilitate sustainable future growth. Alison states how the network is now being invited to take part in much bigger bids and explore exciting new opportunities in collaboration with its members. 
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THE RECOMMENDATION 
Without Alchemy VA’s support Alison feels she would have just had a website and a head full of impactful ideas. She simply wouldn’t have had the capacity or ability to put these ideas into action and pull together a committee, let alone carry out all the other work that’s been achieved. 
 
“It’s massive what we’ve been able to achieve with Alchemy VA’s support. The network may have just trundled along and not given any real value to the few founding members it had. It would have been very frustrating place to be as I know the need and potential of what we are creating together.’  
 
– Alison Holland 
Experience has shown Alison that working with Alchemy VA is an amazing way to bring skills into your organisation almost instantly. The complete flexibility is unrivalled and Alchemy VA work hard to meet our needs week in week out. 
 
When asked what she would advise anyone considering working with Alchemy VA, Alison said simply this… 
“It’s been really amazing for us – definitely go for it!” 
 
What next? 
 
1. Find out more about North Northants Social Enterprise Network (NNSE) 
2. Not sure if you're 'ready' for a Virtual Assistant? Why not take our FREE Virtual Assistant ‘readiness’ evaluation? 
3. For any support or advice about how to best leverage the support of an Alchemy Virtual Assistant, you can connect with Sarah Damani or book in a call here.  
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