Fiona Hansford – Corporate and Community Manager at Diverse Abilities
Diverse Abilities are a Dorset based charity who support adults and children with physical and/or learning disabilities. They provide a broad range of services including a specialist school, a children’s respite home, and an adult’s opportunities day centre. Fiona Hansford, their Corporate, and Community Manager explained that they had been members of BBX for 18 months, having joined on the personal recommendation of another BBX member.
“We initially joined to take advantage of an event that was being run by BBX, and I am delighted to report that we have continued to benefit significantly from our membership ever since.”

What are the main benefits of BBX for you?
“Joining BBX was a great decision for our charity. Our membership has allowed us to raise our profile by networking with other local businesses via regular BBX member events. As a result, we have gained a raft of new corporate supporters, been able to sell sponsorship packages and benefited from many generous donations from other BBX members.” Fiona also explained that she has been able to use BBX to sell ‘surplus’ items such as Christmas cards and cook books.

What do you do with the BBX pounds you generate?
Fiona told me that, although BBX is an alternative currency, it’s been easy to spend the income generated. By using BBX to replace many purchases that would otherwise have had to come from their cash account they have been able to help more people with physical and/or learning disabilities in Dorset.

“As well as using our BBX balance to replace cash for a number of everyday office expenses including office supplies, advertising, and promotional banners, we have also bought raffle and auction prizes. This latter activity has allowed us to turn a small BBX spend into much needed cash injection which can be channeled directly into our charitable activities.”

What do you like best about being a member of BBX?
“The best thing about being a BBX member is having the support of a dedicated account manager who knows us and the BBX client base.They work on our behalf to find mutually beneficial opportunities, and this saves me lots of precious time.”

What would you say to other charities considering joining BBX?
“Do it! It has worked for us, and I am sure it will work for you too.”

For more information about Diverse Abilities, check out their website www.diverseabilities.org.uk