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A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our latest inspire* Big Meet Up on Wednesday, 14th May, what an incredible turnout! It was wonderful to see so many of you there, eager to dive into the topic of Impact Reporting  with none other than the brilliant Emma Insley , Founder and CEO of Insley Consulting.  With over two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, Emma brought a wealth of knowledge, insight, and practical advice to the session. From how to capture meaningful data to measuring the difference you're making, and most importantly, how to bring that impact to life for funders, Emma’s talk left us all inspired and better equipped to communicate the value of our work.  We left the session not just with new tools and strategies, but with a renewed sense of purpose around why we do what we do. Impact reporting isn’t just about numbers, it’s about telling the real stories behind our work, celebrating progress, and building trust with those who support our missions. With Emma’s guidance, we hope our members are feeling more confident to step into that storytelling role.  To Emma: thank you for sharing your time, expertise, and passion with us.  To our inspire* members: thank you for showing up in full force, asking thoughtful questions, and contributing to such a vibrant conversation. We are grateful for your commitment to the programme.   And as always, the replay is now available in your members area, so whether you want to revisit the session or catch up if you missed it, it’s there for you.  Here’s to making impact reporting more powerful, meaningful, and... well, impactful!

We had a simple but ambitious goal: help people feel less alone.   That’s how The Loneliness Project was born, through a partnership between the gunnercooke foundation and our not-for-profit bookshop, House of Books & Friends, right in the heart of Manchester. What followed was a year full of stories, strangers becoming friends, and a whole lot of coffee-fuelled connection.     Here is what came of it:     A Bookshop That Brings People Together   From day one, the bookshop has been about more than just books. It’s a space to meet, talk, listen, and be heard. We launched regular book clubs, which quickly grew into three fully booked monthly meetups (plus an online option for those at home). We kept them free or affordable, because we believe connection shouldn’t come with a price tag.    Throughout the year, the space came alive with student socials, children’s holiday activities, board game nights, writing workshops, and countless casual catch-ups over coffee. We also offered the venue free of charge to other charities and groups working to reduce loneliness, giving them a beautiful place to host meetings and events without the usual barriers.    Conversations That Matter  In 2023, we partnered with national campaigns like Loneliness Awareness Week, Mental Health Awareness Week, and Grief Awareness Week, helping to start conversations that often stay hidden. We also launched our own campaign, Connection Counts, inviting people to share moments of connection in their everyday lives. Over 30 people opened up about their moments of connection, reminding us just how powerful a smile, a chat, or a shared moment can be.  Shining a Light on Others  This project isn’t just about us. Each month, we spotlighted other incredible charities working in the loneliness space, sharing their stories with our growing online community of over 25,000 people and helping direct support where it’s needed most.  We also welcomed those same charities into our space, like HostNation, who brought together refugees, volunteers, and partners for a joyful evening of connection.  What People Told Us  It’s hard to sum up the impact in numbers, but the stories say it best:  “My connection story started at your bookshop. I had been living in England for 8 years and I never had the luck to make good/real friends no matter how much I tried. Obviously it had a big impact on my mental health and I became depressed. I recently became single and even more lonely so I decided to come to the book event, “How to be a French girl”. It was a very big and important step for me to realise I am so lonely and want to do something about it. For the first time in months, I was happy to be there and see strangers smiling to each other. It made me feel good and made me keep some hope.”  “I’m a university student. Last December, I was feeling lonely and isolated in a way I’d never felt before. I felt like I hadn’t really connected with anyone. I decided in the new semester I would make myself do something I’d always wanted to do - join a book club. And turns out I saw one was starting in the new year in a recently opened bookshop! I remember the anxiety I felt before I went, and then the happiness and pride I felt after. That felt like my first step, now my go to plans when I make a new friend are to take them to this amazing bookshop I know - thanks for everything Hobaf :)”    What’s Next?  This project has shown us just how many people are looking for a place to belong. We’re not stopping here. In 2024, we’ll keep growing, keep listening, and keep building the kind of spaces where people feel seen.    If you’re feeling isolated, or if you know someone who might be, our door is open. Find out more at House of Books & Friends  or get in touch with the gunnercooke foundation.    We can’t wait to see what next year brings.

There’s something quietly powerful about a great outfit. It’s not about fashion, it’s about confidence. And for many women stepping into a job interview, especially after a difficult period of unemployment, that confidence can make all the difference. That’s where Smart Works Greater Manchester comes in.  Smart Works is a charity that supports unemployed women by helping them prepare for interviews through personalised coaching and styling sessions. Clients receive a complete outfit, clothing, shoes, and accessories, to wear to the interview and keep. And when they land the job? They’re invited back to build a capsule wardrobe to carry them into their new role. It’s simple, practical, and life-changing.    In 2023, Smart Works launched a bold new chapter, opening a second centre in Manchester city centre. This new space was all about accessibility, making it easier for more women across the North West to walk through the doors and access the support they need. When the right support is in reach, lives are transformed.    To help raise funds for the new centre, a small but mighty team from gunner cooke took on the Cycle for Smart Works Challenge ahead of International Women’s Day. Across a week, our colleagues ran, cycled, and swam over 175 miles between them, raising more than £1,000 to support Smart Works’ expansion. It was a challenge fuelled by determination and a shared belief in what this organisation stands for.    Later in the year, we opened up our Manchester bookshop, House of Books & Friends, for a clothing collection. The response from our community was fantastic. Partners, staff, and bookshop visitors donated 71 beautiful, work-ready clothing items, each one destined to help a woman feel empowered and ready to take the next step in her journey.    The partnership with Smart Works reminded us that meaningful impact often starts with something small: a conversation, a donation, a few miles on a bike. We’re incredibly proud to have supported this brilliant charity in 2023, and we can’t wait to see how many more lives they’ll change from their new home in the heart of Manchester.