13 Dec Our Top 10 Moments of 2022

There have undoubtedly been a lot of challenges in 2022. But while there has certainly been bad news, there has also been a lot of good news and positive stories. Here at Pilkington Communications we have worked with some brilliant clients who have enjoyed some incredible successes.

We think and believe it’s important to end the year on a high, so we’re sharing our successes, and encouraging everyone else to do the same, using the #oursuccesses hashtag.

Here are our top 10 moments of 2022:

1. Charity campaign launch

An exciting challenge for the New Year, we launched the Seeds of Hope campaign for Groundwork Northamptonshire. The aim of the campaign was to put the challenges of the pandemic behind us, and to support people and communities through the year, helping them to flourish, and become much stronger and more fulfilled.

We kickstarted the campaign with some press coverage, and the support started rolling in. We’re now working on a new campaign for 2023, but Seeds of Hope will be hard to top.

2. We felt the love with lots of mini successes

In February (alongside our retained clients) we supported heaps of organisations with shorter term projects – and the results were often staggering.

A few stand-outs:

• We helped London based Toucan Employment develop a new website, interviewing trustees, volunteers and service users to create blogs, stories and web content
• We were Jobs Fair planning with Brackmills BID and Delapre Abbey
• We launched a PR and recruitment campaign with Children’s Therapy Solutions
• Our journalism clubs for service users at Teamwork Trust proved a huge success

3. Proud Founding Members

In March, we were proud to be a founding member of NNBN, a new business membership organisation for North Northamptonshire. More than 100 people attended the official launch and Jessica, our Director, helped out by compering the event at Chester House Estate. Pictured here with NNBN Co-Directors Simon and Marie.

4. Turtle Academy Launch

In June, with support from West Northants Council and the University of Northampton, we were awarded a generous grant to launch our all-new Turtle Academy. This training academy for the not for profit sector provides modules, strategy and tailor made support that is perfectly suited to the challenges and opportunities faced by for charities, social enterprises and other non profits. Our first clients to sign up for a programme of modules and training are the North Northants Social Enterprise Network (NNSEN) – pictured below.

5. A donation of history

This Summer, we were delighted to be gifted a little piece of history from a generous local family. Our beautiful antique elm desk – which we collected from a Northamptonshire village and carried upstairs and through the nooks and crannies of Delapré Abbey – now takes centre stage in our offices.

6. Telemarketing Success

Also in the Summer, we started to plan a promotional and telemarketing campaign with Aquarius, who provide support and advice around alcohol, drugs and gambling. By combining direct marketing with press and PR we secured meetings and new clients for this incredible charity. Read one of many media features HERE.

7. Graduate talent

We are passionate about supporting young people and nurturing local talent and have had some talented graduates working with us this year. Harriet joined us in 2021 and left us in the Spring to focus on her Masters (and she got a distinction – well done Harriet). Emma joined us to lead on the launch of our new Turtle Academy and then Chloe – a final year journalism student who first joined us on work experience – joined the team.

8. Santa’s Grotto

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! It was still November, but we welcomed press and local influencers to a media launch of Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Magic at Chester House Estate in Northamptonshire. Almost all the tickets sold out within hours, proving that no one can resist a visit to see Santa.

9. International Day of People with Disabilities

We ended the year on a particular high, as our work with Ball, the world’s leading manufacturer of infinitely recyclable aluminium drinks, picked up pace. We have spent the last few weeks working with the team at Ball’s new Northamptonshire plant (due to open in the New year) design and launch a campaign for International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPD). We interviewed staff with very different disabilities and roles and helped to launch a new film which shows that people with disabilities CAN do anything they are skilled to do. View the film

10. Our Award Wins

In November we took home not one, but two trophies at the Northants Chamber of Commerce Awards. Our director, Jessica, scooped Business Person of the Year (Learning and Skills Academy CIC), and Pilkington Communications is awarded West Northants Business of the Year (sponsored by West Northamptonshire Council), described by judges as a “stand-out business that has contributed to the local economy and demonstrated business growth in West Northants”. Read all about us in the local media HERE. We’ve also supported clients with award entries – Luton-based digital film making company Clearhead scooped several this year (amazing team and well deserved). And good luck to Teamwork Trust, and Brackmills BID – finalists in the Northants Logistics Awards – taking place in January 2023.

And finally…

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading not just about some of our successes but also about those of our inspiring clients and supporters. Now, it’s your turn. Please share your successes with us on social media. Tag us in (@pilkingtoncomms on Twitter, Facebook, Insta and LinkedIn) and don’t forget to use the #oursuccesses hashtag.

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and an exciting, creative and thriving New Year.