A Christmas appeal has just been launched with matched giving by John Lewis for the benefit of Home-Start and Fareshare. I have had a few enquiries about this, and some hints that something is happening, but not sure what yet.

I met with Home-Start UK around 18 months ago in Leicester, in that conversation I mentioned that I look after 30+ HS sites, and there should be a way to help magnify any promotions by working together. Sadly it was never followed up by HSUK.

Setting an Example

In an effort to rectify this and demonstrate what could be achieved, I have the following offer to any Home-Start Divi based site that wishes to bathe in the publicity being generated in this initiative. This is all subject to HSUK agreeing btw.

You will need to be quick to see this, in case it gets removed. I have taken the HSUK promotional page which explains what it is, and how it is implemented and how to contribute. I have not changed the text, it is all generic, and I did not wish to alter the positioning. I have used their graphics, and referenced the videos which are on YouTube. The only changes I have made are with respect to where the About Us button goes to, it will go to your organisation’s About Us page so brings this down to the local level. The Volunteering button goes to your Volunteering page, so brings this down to the local level as well.

I have merged two posts on the HSUK website to do this. You can see an example here: https://homestartraw.org/give-a-little-love/

My theory is a national campaign, can benefit the local offices too. The fundraising portal and instructions are all at the National level, so none of that changes.

Why might this help?

It will help to raise your organisation’s profile, and now rather than just the HSUK site carrying something it could be magnified 30x. So rankings will positively affected.  There are also 30+ (more) links back to to the national fundraising portal, so helping that too.

What will I do?

I will add in the post to your site and change the links for volunteering and about us to point into your website. The videos will appear to run in your site, but are actually running on YouTube, where the source videos are located. The links and instructions on how to raise money are unchanged and promote the national campaign.

I will also add in a special slider to the home page which uses the heart logo. I have done this on the HS RAW site, but it looks too busy and clumsy at the moment and needs to be simplified.

How much will this cost?

Nothing, it is my Christmas present to you, for all of the great work you do throughout the year, and particularly this challenging year.  The only issue currently is HSUK buy in because it is their ad and content I am redistributing. I am waiting to hear back on that.

If you are interested in joining in please send me a message.