Giving back is built in – not bolted on

Emily Hewett
5 days ago
4 min read

From the very start, community has been at the heart of everything I do. Supporting charities, CICs and local causes isn’t just a nice extra – it’s a core part of how I’ve built and run my business since day one.

Yes, marketing is what I do. But it’s how I use it that matters most.

And when you use what you’re good at to help others? That’s where the real magic happens.

Let me take you through where we’ve come from since 2009.

Emily Hewett receiving the BSTLC Gold Award for her work in the community.

A legacy of giving back – from 2009 to today

Southend in Sight

One of the very first charities I supported after launching my business. I continued the work I’d been doing at agency level with Henshaws (a Northern charity supporting people with sight loss) and offered pro bono design and brand help for Southend in Sight based on that experience. Local impact, long-term connection.

ORB – Organisation for Responsible Businesses

A brilliant organisation, ORB, brings together values-led businesses to do better by their people, their customers and the planet. I’ve supported them with design and visibility, and share their mission of purposeful, ethical growth.

SAFE Essex

An autism support charity helping families across Essex. I’ve supported SAFE through a mix of pro bono and discounted work over the years, helping them improve visibility and raise awareness of the incredible services they offer.

Changing Pathways

A domestic abuse charity that’s close to me personally. I’ve supported Changing Pathways with marketing and design. As someone who has experienced domestic abuse, this is a quiet but deeply important part of the work I do.

IPMNDF – Ian Pratt Motor Neurone Disease Foundation

Motor neurone disease is a devastating illness that affects so many people and families. I’ve supported IPMNDF on a discounted basis, helping with design and strategy that raises awareness and drives action.

Chatty Boxx

In 2024, we awarded Chatty Boxx – a charity for non-verbal children – over £10,000 of marketing support after they won our IAE Turns 15 giveaway. That work was rolled out across 2025, helping them grow their reach, raise funds and connect with families in need of specialist support.

Big Purple Pants

In January 2026, I officially became a trustee of Big Purple Pants – a local charity supporting women living with secondary breast cancer, including one of my close friends who helped found it.

Secondary breast cancer has no cure. It’s something you live with, not something you “get over.” Around 35,000 women in the UK are currently living with the diagnosis – and that number is growing.

Big Purple Pants is here for those women. It’s a safe, local, community-led space offering support, friendship and resources to those across Southend and surrounding areas. We also work with primary breast cancer charities to ensure both women and men have access to the information and help they need.

And here’s the thing — if you run a business, you can help too.

It doesn’t have to mean big donations or huge time commitments. You can make a difference simply by offering what you’re already good at – your skills, your services, your network, your voice.

Get in touch if you’d like some ideas for how to do that

Donate to Big Purple Pants

Responsibility isn’t just for charities – it’s for businesses too

Doing good and doing business aren’t mutually exclusive.

Bringing corporate social responsibility (CSR) into your business can:

Strengthen brand loyalty and trust
Increase visibility through values-led marketing
Motivate your team and boost morale
Be offset against your tax bill (speak to your accountant)
And most importantly – it makes a difference

Over the years, we’ve helped businesses give back in all sorts of creative, meaningful ways. For example:

A property sales and lettings client donated a percentage of each let or sale to HARP, a local homelessness charity – a brilliant fit that aligned perfectly with their values and industry.
I’ve encouraged several clients to offer time, mentoring or services to local CICs and charities as part of their strategy.
And as someone who is Mental Health First Aid trained, I actively encourage business owners to take the course themselves – because understanding the people around you is good for business, and good for life.

And beyond the brand work…

Over the years, I’ve taken part in all sorts of events, fundraisers and awareness campaigns:

12 Dips and Tips of Christmas (2025) raised money for Cancer Research UK
New Year’s Day Dip (2026) in the freezing sea for RNLI Southend
I regularly book tables at charity events to support fundraisers, invite friends, and keep the energy going
I’ve helped numerous causes get raffle prizes, marketing ideas, or a bit of advice they didn’t have before

There are so many more projects I’ve supported that don’t even make it to the website. But that’s how I like it — it’s not always about shouting, it’s about showing up.

Recognition along the way

2018: Finalist – FSB Community Award (South East)

2018: BSTLC Gold Award – presented by the Mayor of Southend

2024: Certificate of Recognition – Inspirational Volunteer Award

Most of these came from other people putting me forward. That means more than I can say.

Want to give back or need support? Let’s talk.

Whether you’re a charity, CIC or local project in need of marketing support, or a business owner wanting to embed more community and purpose into your work – I’d love to help. Get in touch here