Lanyards and ID badges help two inspirational charities boost awareness and outreach

A generous trove of thousands of lanyards and ID badges donated by WCMA – sustainable British manufacturer and proud A Good Thing champion – are helping the Red Kite Rape and Sexual Abuse Service and Safe Places Shropshire to cut costs, raise money and reach thousands of people in need.

BPMA Sustainability Conference

WCMA, a Herefordshire-based manufacturer and annual A Good Thing subscriber, has been pioneering social and environmental sustainability since 2019. A Good Thing caught their eye at the BPMA’s Sustainability Conference in June 2023, when the business was looking for new ways to increase its ever-growing involvement with local charities.

Jules Adam, Director at WCMA, came away with an inspiring thought:

‘Knowing that there's always room for more achievements and that our contributions can create a tangible impact, encouraged me to get involved with A Good Thing. The platform offered a unique opportunity to make a difference on a larger scale by donating redundant stock items that others could use.’

The firm was at that point sitting on thousands of unused lanyards and ID badges bound for landfill, so they got to work immediately and donated them to a worthwhile cause via the A Good Thing app.

Small donations make a big difference

A match was soon found; Siobhan Nundram of Red Kite Rape and Sexual Abuse Service, a charity which provides care and recovery for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and violence across Essex and Hertfordshire, quickly made a request. Siobhan told us she was taken by surprise at how quickly and efficiently the donation was made: one minute, she was on the phone with Jules (WCMA Director), and ‘the next thing [she] knew, a parcel turned up.’

It was ‘a godsend,’ she said. Siobhan explained that one Red Kite therapy session costs £40, and the charity, when faced with a choice between supporting a survivor and buying new material, will always choose the former. That’s why donations like these, no matter how small, are so incredibly important.

Likewise, Safe Places Shropshire, who also received a donation, emphasised the resource scarcity they face: ‘Donations like these save us using our funding, as it is so precious to us’ (Ruby Hartshorn, Chair). Originally established in Worcestershire to aid people with learning disabilities, Safe Places Shropshire was started in 2013 to ‘provide a network of short-term safe havens for people who may require additional support and assistance when they are out and about in the community.’

As well as providing financial assistance, vital donations of ‘things’ like these help both charities (and many more like them) to establish a community presence, increase local awareness and reach thousands of people in need. Both Red Kite and Safe Places are using their lanyards and ID badges as part of their outreach programmes, bolstering their base of fantastic volunteers and extending their important work to new people every day.

What makes A Good Thing special?

Siobhan, opening the donated items

Siobhan told us that Red Kite has received offers of donated items in the past, but that a lack of transparency and logistical obstacles have made it difficult to take advantage of them. Working with A Good Thing, on the other hand, makes the process smooth, ‘credible’ and utterly stress-free. Ruby concurred, saying: ‘It was a simple process to join A Good Thing, and we found the team very helpful.’

For businesses, too, A Good Thing represents a new way to donate. WCMA said: ‘The process of listing multiple items on their site was smooth and efficient, allowing us to extend our support to many charities nationwide. The seamless matching with various impactful charities facilitated a profound opportunity for us not only to contribute, but also to learn about their meaningful work.’

Building connections like these is at the heart of A Good Thing’s mission. We are inspired every day by the powerful impact businesses are making by donating no-longer-needed items to charities across the country. Jules left us with a motivating message:

‘This is an excellent opportunity for us to unite and amplify our efforts to make positive changes. Together, we have the power to create an even greater impact and truly make things better for those who need it most. Let's continue to inspire and be inspired, making every effort count towards creating a better world.’

Get involved

Red Kite and Safe Places are still on the lookout for tech, toys, stationary and many other essential items.

If you’re a business, who wants to make an impact, register now!

And if you’re a charity looking for similar items, don’t miss out: sign up now!