Our Impact
We understand how important it is for our clients to share the impact they have with their funders and other stakeholders.
It is just as important that we, as a social business, practice what we preach, and do the same!
We collect and share our stories from clients which you can read here.
Transformative Change with MMC
At MMC, clients often come to us with a specific need—such as raising funds to support their growth. We understand that securing funding is critical for the sustainability of charities and social enterprises. Without it, organisations can struggle to meet their charitable objectives.
However, funding is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to building a sustainable organisation. At MMC, we place each client at the heart of our services, ensuring they have the support to make a step change at the right time.
Our true value lies in the deeper impact we create through a holistic approach, delivered by our entire team. The case study below highlights how we’ve made a transformative difference for clients who have benefitted from this comprehensive support.
When you choose to work with MMC, you can be confident that our whole team will be dedicated to ensuring you have every opportunity for growth. Together, we are stronger.
Our holistic approach and tailored services have empowered our partners to thrive and make a lasting impact in their respective fields. We are committed to continuing this journey, using our expertise to support more organisations and individuals in the coming years.
Stronger Together: ARK and MMC
At MMC, our tagline is Stronger Together and we really do mean this. When we were asked to think of a client that we have supported along their journey, there was no question, we all said ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) at Egwood.
Most team members at MMC have worked with Nigel and the team at ARK. It has been a delight to support them in their journey so far. Here we reflect on our relationship with ARK.
ARK today
As you walk through the gate at ARK it feels like you are in a special place. People smile and talk to each other. There’s the sound and smells of piggy goats and countryside air.
ARK is set on 12 acres of land and woodland at Egwood, near the village of Merriott in South Somerset. It comprises animals, horticulture, nature & woodcraft areas, outdoor kitchen and growing areas and offers a range of activities, experiences and support services to improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for all in the community.
The birth of ARK at Egwood
ARK was formed as a CIC in 2018 and MMC was approached to help Ark apply for social investment and to develop its first investment focused business plan. Marsha recalls with fondness standing on the edge of an empty field listening to Nigel and his wife, Amanda share their vision for what they wanted to create. Marsha worked closely with ARK and Somerset Community Foundation to provide consultancy work funded by a Reach Grant. This enabled the creation of the first business plan, financial forecasts and business case which was presented to the investment panel. The pathway to gaining social investment wasn’t a straight one. It took time to review the investor offers and agree finance with a different provider – Resonance.
Realigning the new business vision
Fast forward a year to 2019, the business plan was in need of an update and we were asked to help produce Ark’s second 1-year business plan.
MMC were drafted in to revisit the new direction of travel for ARK, which was to work with a wider selection of the community rather than only children and young people. The new business plan also identified trusts and foundations fundraising as an area which Ark could explore in its second year of trading. We were approached to provide mentoring and support in this area for Nigel, CEO and Founder of Ark. ARK’s first grant success was from the National Lottery Awards for All fund to purchase a log cabin to be used as an activity space. To accommodate the people that had started to attend ARK during periods of wet weather.
Turning adversity into opportunity
Since Nigel and his partner Amanda began setting up ARK they had become victims to several thefts of livestock and equipment. Although there is good security, thieves had managed to remove valuable good which impacted on the organisation’s ability to deliver its activities.
By way of support, Marsha, alongside two others; a local fundraiser and a staff member of ARK set up a fundraising appeal to help raise funds to replace the goods and improve the security to the site. It was decided that a triathlon would be a good way to raise funds. Being a keen swimmer Marsha decided to take part in the triathlon alongside the other supporters completing the bike and run elements.
Expansion of ARKs services and review of impact
We were approached by ARK at the start of 2021 to update their business that we had helped them to write and develop back in 2018 and 2019. The lift of Covid restrictions were lifted we went on-site to deliver a business planning workshop with an expanded team at ARK.
“Marsha and her team have once again been exceptional. From the very first conversation Marsha, was able to understand what we needed support with and how best to use the funding to meet our needs. The whole process was very efficient, focussed, but also flexible in meeting our needs and at a flexible pace, that had whole team buy in. Thank you, Marsha, and co and we will be back again” Nigel Bell – CEO
Knowing the difference you make
ARK had been awarded further funding through their social investment partner Resonance as part of their business support grants for Covid-19. As ARK was seeing an increase in people using their services we were approached to provide an evaluation toolkit to help the team capture the quantitative and qualitative data of volunteers and people using their organisation.
We were delighted to also support ARK showcase their work with their local community and other stakeholders, by creating a Celebration Report which encapsulates their journey to date.
We collect and share our stories from clients which you can read here.
Celebrate good times
“Our relationship with ARK at Egwood has been an important part of our own story. Nigel and Amandas vision of what they could create for their community, and watching this come to life, has truly inspired me. I often refer to this story when speaking with others who have a vision and are at the start of their journey. MMC has benefited from working with ARK in developing a holistic approach with those organisations that are open and passionate about making a step change and moving to the next level. I look forward to continuing to be part of their story and helping them with the great work they do”.
Marsha Cox – MMC
Marsha and her amazing team are always our first port of call when looking at support we need with our social enterprise. Whether it is support with business or sustainability planning, social impact measuring or collating data and outcomes, we always receive excellent advise as they truly do take the time to understand our work. I could not recommend them highly enough.
Nigel Bell – ARK
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