Super sort-out has a far-reaching impact across Berkshire and beyond

Tech company SquaredUp is no stranger to A Good Thing. The firm was created and is owned by A Good Thing’s Co-founder, Richard Benwell, and it was one of the app’s pioneer businesses – generating some of our very first offers. When SquaredUp Office Manager Sally Lawrie took the reins of the business’s account earlier this year with a ‘no holds barred attitude’, she supported ten local charities while saving thousands of pounds worth of items from going to landfill!

A super sort!

“I look after everything in the office: the people, the purchasing, the sorting!” explained Sally:

“We moved to being a remote-first workplace during the pandemic. After initially keeping some of the items we thought we might need to use in the future, it’s become clear that they no longer have a purpose with us.”

Sally identified a number of laptops, items of furniture and storage solutions that SqauredUp no longer needed. As the company is embarking on the process of becoming certified as a B Corp, people and the planet are at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Sally told us:

“Although we were certain we no longer needed the items, we wanted to make sure someone local benefited from them. We love to work with local charities, and everyone at SquaredUp is given time to volunteer, but using A Good Thing allows us to go further and gain a deeper connection with local charities”.

Matched in Maidenhead

“We’re based in Maidenhead, Berkshire,” said Sally. “And what’s great about using A Good Thing is that it allows us to support our local community. We’re able to discover charities we never knew existed and begin to forge a long-term relationship with them.”

“Simple things can make a huge difference,” said Sally as she talked about a no-longer-needed shelving unit that was donated to The Baby Bank in Maidenhead. “The Baby Bank was simply thrilled to receive the item. It will mean that they have more storage, and it will make life that little bit easier for their huge team of volunteers. An item we simply didn’t need any more is making a huge difference locally.”

Fabric storage boxes that were listed will indirectly make a difference to local families, Sally shared:

“We had all these fabric storage boxes that we’d use to store the things we didn’t need – we didn’t realise how much of an impact they would have. They’ve gone to help an Operations Manager at a local children’s charity who’d be tasked with organising their baby rooms. The manager has saved money by not having to buy boxes, so the charity will be able to spend more on the children and families who are using the service.”

Laptops save money and increase productivity

Theresa Drake, Trustee and Coach at South Buckinghamshire Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), was thrilled with the new laptops they received as part of SquaredUp’s offers. She excitedly shared how they were already making a difference:

Laptops pictured at new home, The Oasis Project.

“We collected the laptops last week, and our centre manager has already seen a huge difference in the way she’s working – there is no longer a ten-minute wait for the laptop to start, and she can move around too! She was tied to her desk as the battery of her previous laptop had died and always needed to be plugged in. She instantly became more mobile around the Centre – it’s just fantastic.”

Being mobile and present is important for the busy RDA centre, which is home to 12 ponies and offers a range of riding opportunities. Theresa explained:

“We’re open every day and offer equine-facilitated therapy (Hippotherapy), group lessons and private lessons, too. We’re lucky to have a lovely indoor and outdoor school, and even a woodland where the riders and ponies are able to get a change of scenery – essential for improving the wellbeing of our participants and ponies.”

Theresa was full of enthusiasm for A Good Thing and commented:

“We’re really pleased about the donation. Thank you to SquaredUp and to A Good Thing for making the match. I’m all up for recycling, upcycling and sharing; it’s just perfect.”

The Oasis Partnership, one of the first charities to join A Good Thing, also received laptops which will help them to deliver one of their many programmes to their service users. Colin McGregor-Paterson of the charity commented:

“We were really fortunate last week to have received a set of lovely laptops. They are perfect for our Routes to Work Project. We appreciate all your help and support, matching us with local businesses and saving us hundreds of pounds. Thank you, A Good Thing and SquaredUp.”

Supporting ten local charities

SquaredUp’s offers included laptops, shelves, a standing desk, fabric storage boxes, a cupboard and waste paper bins, and these items reached ten local charities including:

• The Baby Bank

• Families Thriving Together

• The Unicorn Trust

• Chloe's And Sophie's Special Ears Fund

• The Oasis Partnership

• South Buckinghamshire Riding For The Disabled Association

• First Days Children's Charity

• Whitley Community Development Association

• Berkshire County Blind Society

• Princes Risborough Centre Ltd

Sally from SquaredUp was delighted:

“It’s just wonderful, such a wonderful idea and I’m delighted that Richard and Cathy had the expertise and skills to bring it all to life. We will continue to use the app as it matches our values of supporting the local community and working with local charities while being mindful of the planet and how much we consume and throw away. I’ll always be on the lookout for what we can donate next.”

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

Has this article inspired you to partner with A Good Thing and reach charities in your local community?