A SOUTHAMPTON-BASED catering business is the first to sign up to a charity’s new business partnership initiative this month (May 2022).
Simply Buffets, run by Jill Abrahams, has signed up with Work for Good and is donating 50p per head on main food and 20p per head on desserts to Communicare, which helps vulnerable and isolated people in Southampton.
Jill said: “When I heard about Communicare’s call for small, independent businesses to work with it to create bespoke fundraising opportunities, I thought it would be good to get involved.
“It feels great to be doing my bit for the local community. In return, Communicare is helping to raise awareness of my business and introducing me to a greater potential customer base.”
“We provide a service with a good range, quality and quantity tailored to clients’ requirements. There is no need for them to do anything. Tablecloths, crockery and serviettes are all provided in the customer’s colour of choice as well as flower table decorations. The main bonus is that there is no washing up for people to do!
“I am donating 50p per head on main food and 20p per head on desserts to the charity as part of the partnership.”
Simply Buffets was created in 2017 by Jill after she realised that she could provide a tailor-made buffet service, with good quality food, at a reasonable price for people.
Anyone interested in Jill’s services, should get in touch with her on 023 80431067, 07735329064 or email simplybuffetssouthampton@gmail.com.
Communicare Development Officer, Nick Thomas, said: “We’re so thrilled to welcome Jill and Simply Buffets to the partnership and we are delighted with the donations she has committed to. These will go a long way to helping fund the work we do to help vulnerable and isolated people in Southampton.
“We’re looking to partner with other Southampton-based companies to create bespoke fundraising opportunities that are mutually beneficial and are using the services of Work for Good, which believes small businesses can have a powerful, positive impact, whatever their size.
“We will promote those we partner with through our social media pages, website, e-newsletter and PR activity, giving them a potentially greater reach and also helping raise awareness of their brand to a new audience and market for them.
“Businesses that work with us will have improved visibility, as people notice when you give back to the community. They will also experience positive marketing – associating their venture with a good cause will help customers see a brand in a positive light, in contrast to competitors who may be focusing on maximising profits. The relationship should also assist with long-term customer loyalty – customers feel good buying from a company that cares and are, therefore, more likely to return and advocate on behalf of that business too.
“Finally, it will help boost profits, because supporting a community encourages people to see a firm as an integral part of that neighbourhood, and therefore back the enterprise too.”
According to consumer research undertaken by Markettiers in 2021, 59% of UK consumers agreed or strongly agreed that businesses have a responsibility to do social good and nine out of 10 Millennials would change brands to a cause-related one, the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK found in 2020.
Nick added: “Research shows that to reach a younger demographic these days it’s very important for companies to have social corporate responsibility agendas, as this is what many Generation Z and Millennials look for when buying from a brand. In fact, it’s important for people to buy into a brand before they buy from it.
“If you own or work for a Southampton small business, or have any friends, family or other contacts who do, please get in touch with me on 07874 868 241 or email nick@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.”
Communicare, which is a friendly, neighbourhood charity, provides services that enrich the lives of lonely and isolated people in and around Southampton.
Its services are staffed by its devoted volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.
The charity is currently supporting around 570 individuals/families through tasks including one-to-one telephone befriending and transport for essential appointments and assistance with shopping.
Now Covid rules have lifted, Communicare is once again assisting with trips to lunch clubs, social events and activities to help beat isolation and loneliness too.
The services Communicare provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
To find out more about Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk or call 023 8250 0050.
