Author: Lindsey Davies

Sharing our success

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

We know that we don’t shout about the feedback that we get from the businesses we work with enough, which is something that we are trying to address, so to make a start I wanted to share the following testimonials from two fantastic organisations that we are proud to call our clients:

Head of Social Investment from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Andy Lock said: “We had been in need of effective PR support in England for some time and approached Open for an informal discussion, as we had heard good things about them. It was clear from this meeting that their philosophy and no nonsense approach to PR matched our aspirations and objectives.

He adds: “Open has very quickly established itself as an extended part of the operation, getting to know us and what makes us tick and translating this into PR which is delivering impact and great results. Their insightful input has challenged our preconceptions about `what works’ and the team is always proactive in providing solutions and responding to the challenges we face. We have a great relationship and enjoy working with them and are always impressed with their hard working ethic and commitment to go the extra mile to get the job done.”

Nigel Tooby of Mogul Image said: “We first commissioned Open Communications to deliver a strategy session for our business, which we found to be invaluable. It was essential that we were able to understand and take control of our PR and marketing communications efforts, relying on our own internal resource. The team said that the main objective was to excite us about our business, and this was certainly the case, we were buzzing with ideas and raring to go.

He adds: “What makes the approach taken by Open all the more valuable is that when we found that we were faced with a busy time, which meant our efforts and time were fundamental elsewhere, we could call upon the agency to take control of the PR for an extremely important project and make it happen. The handover was seamless, as they had a great understanding of our business, and the results were simply brilliant.

He concludes: “We would not hesitate in recommending Open, they have done a fantastic job for us and have secured results during a crucial time. We have no doubts that they will always go above and beyond to deliver.”

And this is why we enjoy what we do!
It’s not always about us – and if we’re honest we prefer it being about our clients – but sometimes it’s great to know that the work and effort that we put into delivering results is appreciated.

Doing better business in Yorkshire

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

Today I had the absolute pleasure of going to a lunchtime event hosted by the Yorkshire Mafia for Leeds Business Week. Unlike other ‘networking’ meetings that I have attended, I always find anything that is arranged in association with the Group to be ‘different’ and often on a larger scale than anyone would expect.

I have seen the massive amount of work, attention to detail and general organisation that goes into anything that the Yorkshire Mafia arrange and this event was no exception.

The lunchtime meeting was held at Bibis Italian Restaurant in Leeds, a central location with the capacity to host a leading business event, which in this instance was attended by more than 200 people.

As Leeds Metropolitan University alumni, I was pleased to see that the event was supported by the recently rebranded Leeds Beckett. Not only is the University a success story for the city and wider region in its own right but I was pleased to see that the Associate Dean, Simon Jones, took to the stage to explain that a massive £500m contribution is made as a result of students choosing courses in Leeds each year.

I have to be honest, when attending some events as the first speaker takes to the stage you can feel yourself glaze over. I’m never one for rags to riches and ‘how clever was I to think up this idea’ or ‘well done me’ type talks. Don’t get me wrong, I am always interested in hearing about the obstacles that people have faced and how they have overcome them – that’s interesting – but the fact that someone has a posh car and a yacht doesn’t really appeal.

And so, Larry Gould of The Big Word took to the stage. He started the business along with a partner in 1980. With 2 people, a phone and big ambition they launched a fledgling company – suddenly this story was starting to sound very familiar!

Recognising that companies miss out on a shocking £48bn in revenue as a result of language barriers there is little doubt that a business focusing on helping you to communicate with your prospects and export clients is going to have a bright future.

Fast forward to 2014 and Gould has just reported the best quarter the business has ever had (which was celebrated in typical Yorkshire fashion, quietly) with the statistics about the company making for interesting reading:

– International head office based in Leeds

– 400 people employed in Leeds from 39 countries

– 12,000 linguists in 37 countries

– 12^th largest business in its sector

– Aspirations to be top five

Impressive figures but what struck me most was how personable and funny – yes funny – Gould was. He broke down barriers immediately with his quick wit and refusal to drop a story because his time was up. And as for his success, he refers to a comment his father made: “Perhaps you’re getting above yourself lad”.

I can’t quite see that happening but needless to say his short time on stage was met with a huge round of applause and lots of smiles.

The starter was then served and was quickly followed by the second speaker, Adam Cope, former CEO of Zenith Provecta and current Executive Chairman of FMG who had a tough act to follow.

Andrew chose not to talk about the business but instead to focus on a vision for the North. He referenced the fact that our aspirations for Leeds and surrounding cities needs to be bigger and that taking a Northern approach, as opposed to concentrating on individual regional agendas, would allow us to develop a culture and lifestyle to appeal to those considering their future.

His next comment was particularly refreshing; he said that in order to attract the best talent from local universities we need to make the North a compelling option for those making the transition from student to professional. The two things they are interested in are sex and money; as students don’t have any problem with getting excited by sex we need to motivate them with money.

I’m not sure whether I completely agree with this, but it certainly got me thinking. We do need to look at the North and consider how we can package the benefits of all cities within a given geography before marketing it to the country and internationally.

London has long taken the glory and it is about time that we started to redress the balance. I remember very vividly being told when I was at university that to have a career in PR you had to go to London. I would like to think that I have challenged that and proved the theory wrong however we need to ensure that others have a choice and that lessons have been learnt and shared since my time in the lecture theatres at Becketts.

Cope finished with a strong closing statement: “We can do it, we will do it and it would be so much better if we had more money to enjoy it.”

Applause and then the final speaker of the day was invited to take the stage. Helen Beachell, General Manager from Simon on the Streets, is a real inspiration but far too modest to ever take that kind of compliment.

Helen as ever was poised, professional and didn’t stumble, mumble or flounder over a single word. You wouldn’t have known that she was addressing a room of more than 200 people as she recalled a recent story of a homeless man, Dave*, who approached a diner sitting outside of a local restaurant.

The man clearly wanted to be left alone but Dave was hungry and desperate for money to buy food. He asked for any loose change and the response was nothing short of a torrent of abuse. Helen rightly acknowledged that it can be difficult when you are approached by those sleeping rough as you are never sure what they are going to spend the money on or how genuine they are in their hour of need.

In this instance what was out of the ordinary was that the man in the restaurant continued to scream at Dave even when he had walked away. Shouting comments such as ‘Get to the job centre’ and ‘You’re nothing but a waste of space’.

These stories aren’t unusual for Helen, or her colleagues at Simon on the Streets, but that doesn’t make them right and my heart turns over every time I hear what they have been faced with. We worked on a recent campaign which I think puts this attitude – that of those who are suited and booted and their reaction to the homeless – in to real context, read more here.

Next up was lunch, a delicious plate of slow cooked beef with a creamy mash. Needless to say it went down very well but the thought of those on the streets wasn’t far from anyone’s minds and I’m sure, like me, some people would rather have offered a hot meal to those who really needed it.

Then it was time to chat with some familiar faces and also an opportunity to meet with some new. I couldn’t quite believe that so much had been packed into a two and a half hour lunch but then as I said in the introduction to this blog, nothing the Mafia ever do is half-hearted.

What an excellent and insightful event; great speakers, great company and great food but most of all another event that championed the fantastic entrepreneurship of the region by those living and working within it.

There are business led activities and networking sessions taking place throughout the remainder of the week in celebration of Leeds Business Week so don’t miss out, for more information simply visit: http://leedsbizweek.com/

Why the most ridiculous concept has become the most compelling viewing

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

I am a self-confessed lover of all things documentary; anything that focuses on real life and gives me an insight into the way that others live gets a thumb’s up from me. Some people say it’s because I’m nosy but if I’m honest I think it’s because I’ve always had an genuine interest in behaviour and social psychology.

During my PR degree (back in the day) one of the modules we were taught was Social Psychology and my dissertation focused on the power of positive persuasion through communications techniques when encouraging an individual to donate to charity.

Now, this is all well and good, and I expect many of you are wondering what I’m going on about but the thing is that the way people choose to communicate fascinates me, the way that individuals interact, engage and share messages in so many different ways.

All this said, I never for one second thought that a television concept which revolves entirely around people watching people watching TV (did you get that?) would catch on, never mind be of any interest to me what-so-ever.

And this my friends is where I was wrong, very wrong.

Gogglebox, for those of you who haven’t seen it, is a programme which features every Friday night at 9pm on Channel 4. It shows the reactions of families in houses up and down the country to news, films, soaps and general TV viewing and it is brilliant.

Image source: Channel4

The idea is that you watch how each of these families reacts in their own environment. Obviously the production team have chosen very different and interesting characters to make it all the more compelling with ‘the couple’ who own a bed and breakfast and spend much of their time drinking to a tea swilling vicar, her husband and dog or the friends who eat a takeaway fit for a small street between them, right through to the loveable Leon and his wife June.

When I first came across the programme I expected to dismiss it as rubbish but beyond the laughs and giggles that are to be expected as a result of a programme like this, there is a very thought provoking analysis that each of these households, despite in some instances being just a few miles apart, interact very differently.

The way that each family engages and even addresses each other, to what they eat and wear, along with the comments they make about the programmes, which can be anything from politics to prison break, result in varying degrees of discussion.

What I find really insightful is that in most instances the families are communicating the same feelings on a given topic – some through debate, others a single gesture such as a nod or grunt and others with borderline argument, despite them actually agreeing with each other.

I wouldn’t like to think that the producers introduced more elaborate people to the show, making it more of a Big Brother spin-off, as I feel the characters that currently feature provide a really good balance. Adding any more extremes would make it less credible and I like the fact that ‘normal’ people are giving their opinions about everyday topics; it simply makes it all the more inviting.

It’s almost a modern version of Points of View but filmed in ‘real time’ as it happens, and then aired at a later date.

Well done to Channel4 for such a compelling show with so many layers of intrigue and entertainment value, other stations really should be considering how they compete with a programme that is so widely liked by such a diverse demographic.

I’m already excited by the prospect of what will feature in Friday’s show and for any PR people out there, when your coverage features and is discussed you know you’ve made it. Never mind Have I Got News For You, the challenge is now Gogglebox!

Back of the net or getting wet, either way it was Game On

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

It was wet, windy, cold and I’d spent half an hour curling my hair for it to last a matter of minutes before resembling a collective of rats tails, falling unattractively around my face, which was also streaked with the remnants of my carefully applied make-up.

But still, I was watching football (a game that in the most part I detest) with more than 50 children from youth teams throughout the country who participate in Game On, a programme organised by our client The Coalfields Regeneration Trust and delivered by The Football League Trust.

Game On aims to take children from some of the most deprived areas of the UK and encourage them to take part in free football training sessions, which take place on two evenings each week. Not only does this programme have a direct impact on anti-social behaviour by providing young people with something to do, but it also teaches those involved about health and wellbeing, participation, commitment, social interaction and engagement.

Knowing that in situations like this the best approach is to roll your sleeves up – metaphorically, it was freezing! – and get on with it, that is exactly what I did.

I was surprised to find that I soon got into the game and was cheering along with the best, especially when one particular player who happened to be a girl made an amazing tackle, which left the side lines squinting never mind the opponent rolling around on the floor!

More than 3 hours later and we were into the final rounds, there were cheers and jeers, banter and back chat but the attitude of all involved really was to be commended. Each team took to the game with the passion you would expect but also with a sportsmanship that belied their teenage years.

The final was a close call with Wigan A and B teams literally taking the title from under the nose of Doncaster when they were chosen on goal difference as the contenders for the next round of the championship, which takes place in Scotland on 1 November.

Next came the bit I had been looking forward to most (until the drenching earlier in the day, which had now resulted in me looking less like a drowned rat and more like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards) we were going to watch the Derby versus Millwall match.

But that wasn’t all, the Wigan winners would get the chance to have a special trophy presented on the pitch! As we walked out of the tunnel I caught my breath – it’s no secret that I am no real football fan – but this was amazing.

Stood in front of an audience of more than 27,000 people the Wigan teams were presented with their trophy and as if that wasn’t enough they were then asked to look up – a huge screen projected their smiling faces to the whole crowd.

I have to admit that I had a lump in my throat whilst I watched them all waving and jumping to be seen. It really was spectacular.

The game ended 0 – 0 but that didn’t really matter. The atmosphere was great and Rammy, Derby County FC’s mascot, made an appearance and danced around the pitch. The team at Derby were fantastic and whether they realise it or not I am sure that they have created memories that the Game On finalists will never forget.

As for me, I’m pleased to be warmed up but the event was certainly worth braving the weather for. Thanks to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Derby County Football Club, The Football League Trust and all of the clubs who took the time to compete in the Game On finals. For those who didn’t win, there’s always next year!

A different kind of creative

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

Working in the creative industry can be confusing; there are so many different specialisms and disciplines that there is no single sentence that can describe what encompasses being a creative, it is as vast as the minds of those involved within it.

Just recently I have had the absolute pleasure of working with a creative contemporary photographer, Nigel Tooby. What I get most satisfaction from at Open Communications is the range of clients that we have. Their businesses, brands, objectives and markets are so contrasting that it makes every day a ‘school day’ – you learn something new.

Working with Nigel and his wife Elaine was no different.

Our first meeting was back in August when we hosted an Open Strategy Session with the team. Not only did we all find the session enlightening, it was engaging and a real sharing of insights, beliefs and values. Nigel approaches his specialism, photography, very differently from how I would PR and that made for some great conversations and debate.

Fast forward a month and I took a call to ask if we would support the team with a project and exhibition they are working on, Eye Spy. Needless to say, having seen some of the works I couldn’t wait to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in.

All in the aid of Simon on the Streets, Nigel was originally tasked with creating a series of images for a charity calendar for the organisation, thanks to a referral from Red Media, the local design, print and marketing agency.

Rather than stick to the traditional, which isn’t really Nigel’s way, he chose to take the project one-step further and to recommend that the images were not only taken through the eyes of the homeless but also that they become an artistic installation, using materials from the streets to give the subject deeper context.

I was lucky enough to get a preview of the final pieces and a complete contradiction in terms is the best way I can find to describe them; they make for the most uncomfortable viewing but in the most positive and thought provoking way.

And so, here’s where we came in, it was our job to take Nigel’s creative talents and showcase them within the media. The first challenge was that the subject is interesting but also uncomfortable and the second is that some of the images were definitely unsuitable for print, simply due to the brutal truth behind them.

So, we got to work. A press call, invitations, press releases, media relations… and repeat… PR can be a little bit like a recipe for Yorkshire puddings sometimes, if you get it wrong it will all go flat but if you get it right… well, next time you have a Sunday lunch and you bite into your fluffy, light Yorkshire puddings that’s how PR feels when you get it right!

Thankfully we did. Working closely with Nigel and Elaine we were able to secure coverage in Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post, Wakefield Express, Wetherby News, Harrogate Advertiser, Ripon Today, North Yorkshire News, BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Look North.

Not only is the work deserving of the coverage it achieved but I am so pleased to see that Nigel’s creative talent is being recognised. I have never met a photographer with such a vision for story-telling.

I have learnt a great deal in the short time I have worked with the team at Mogul Image and I expect that they don’t even realise it, knowing how unassuming and modest they are. Nigel has taught me to see behind an image and to look deeper as there are always things that you miss first time around.

As I said at the start of this blog, the way he approaches his art is very different to how I handle PR for our clients at Open Communications despite us working in the same creative industry. We are all about facts and figures, stories and angles, headlines and news, whereas Nigel deals with perspective, depth, contrast, controversy and creating debate.

The results for us both are similar; we raise the profile of a subject to encourage people to talk about it. The ultimate goal is word of mouth but our skills couldn’t be more dissimilar.

I will be attending the launch event of the Eye Spy exhibition this evening, which takes place at the Workhouse Modern in Harrogate from 6.30pm. I would encourage anyone who isn’t your typical lover of all things photography or arty to come along.

I will certainly be raising a glass to an exhibition well done and hope that people will take the time not only to better understand the plight of the homeless in our region but also to get their hands in their pocket and support Simon on the Streets, which is a very worthy and deserving cause.

Here is a small and very select sample of the images that will be on show at the exhibition, which will run until Monday 6 October. Please do remember that some of these images feature on crates and paving slabs… I won’t go into too much detail because I don’t want to spoil it but it is certainly worth going to see.

Why guidelines can be a lifeline

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

It never fails to amuse me when people say that they have all of their marketing under control and whip out a document with ‘BRAND GUIDELINES’ proudly displayed across the front. What people don’t seem to appreciate is that even though having brand guidelines is a good starting point, it does not always take into account the bigger picture.

As an example, if someone picks up your brand guidelines document it is likely to explain how your logo or strap line should be displayed. It is not however as likely to go into the detail about the tone of voice you should use when communicating about your brand or the factors you should take into account when using social media.

You see, brand guidelines are one thing but communications guidelines are quite another. The two do and should work hand-in-hand but very rarely are they proudly displayed together.

I recently hosted a strategy session with a local artistic contemporary photographer – Nigel Tooby – who is building his brand. In addition to understanding the importance and significance of how he projects his image, he was also more than aware of the need to develop his communications strategy.

I was pleased that as a creative, Nigel had taken the time to consider how he communicates effectively with his audiences. Many companies and even big businesses and corporations focus on their branding but not on their marketing communications.

A communications strategy should support the business objectives, making it a fundamental part of a company’s growth potential. Taking the time to consider the personality of your business, the tone of voice you use, a positioning statement and longer term aspirations and goals can be the difference between success and so, so.

I’m not sure whether this business has gone through a communications strategy session or if they have specific guidelines for their engagement but Yorkshire Tea do a great job of reinforcing their personality in all that they do. As well as being consistent across mediums, they are also friendly and funny (which is not easy!).

There are lots of other brands who get it right but many that seem to neglect their marketing communications in favour of ‘bigger things’ that command significantly higher budgets. I find it endlessly infuriating that the foundations of a company are discarded due to cost – we can all put our prices up but as specialists we also deliver a professional service and this should be recognised.

My advice would be to start with the basics. Get your positioning and messaging right and then everything else will follow – don’t skip to the branding because you think it’s more exciting; all that happens is that your audience will see a disconnect between the image your project and the personality you portray and that certainly won’t give you the return on investment you’re looking for.

COALFIELDS CALLS UPON OPEN FOR PR SUPPORT

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the organisation dedicated to providing support, guidance and funding for people living within former mining towns and villages, has appointed Open Communications as its preferred PR and marketing communications agency covering England.

Working closely with the team from England at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Open Communications is tasked with raising the profile of the organisation both within the communities and to a national audience, securing coverage in relevant regional, national and trade media and supporting with social media activity and marketing communications.

Following a trial period of three months, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has already experienced the results that Open Communications can achieve when working as an extension of its team. Achieving an audience reach of more than 8 million with a recent story, the agency now looks forward to building on successes to date and its productive relationship with the charity.

Head of Social Investment at Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Andy Lock said: “We had been in need of effective PR support for some time and approached Open for an informal discussion as we had heard good things about them. It was clear from this meeting that their philosophy and no nonsense approach to PR matched our aspirations and objectives.

He adds: “Open has very quickly established itself as an extended part of the operation, getting to know us and what makes us tick and translating this into impactful PR which is delivering great results. Their insightful input has challenged our preconceptions about `what works’. We are always impressed with their hard working ethic and commitment to go the extra mile to get the job done.”

Director of Open Communications, Lindsey Davies said: “We always work with our clients as opposed to for them, this means that we can add extra value to the service we offer. The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is a fantastic organisation and we are very much looking forward to developing our relationship further as we continue to support them with PR, social media and marketing communications.”

Open Communications, the straight talking PR and marketing communications agency, was launched by Lindsey Davies and Emma Lupton in 2008. The business, which is RAR approved and was named as one of the Top Agencies outside of London, has since grown and is commissioned by a range of brands from family run businesses to multi-national household names.

Based at Nostell Priory Estate Yard, the agency now manages the PR and social media activity for companies including POM-BEAR, the teddy shaped snack brand; Paragon, the print and document management service provider; Xamax, the branded clothing specialist and HARIBO, the UK’s leading gums and jellies brand.

Putting Yorkshire firmly on the map

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

As the preferred PR partner for the Buy Yorkshire Conference, it has been a really busy time here at Open Communications. Working hard to secure coverage across regional and national titles both online and in print, we manage a full schedule of stories with weekly updates on the event and most importantly what it will deliver for sponsors, exhibitors and delegates.

As the largest business-to-business Conference in the North of England there is always something new and exciting to share about the event and this year was no exception. With an unrivaled line-up of speakers bringing a balance of personality and business to the table, it was no surprise to find that more than 5,000 people attended across the two days.

In fact total registrations tipped the scales at 5,625, more than double that of any other business exhibition that takes place in the region. Not bad when you consider this is only the fourth year the event has been hosted by Geoff and his team at the Yorkshire Mafia and that every year it becomes bigger and better.

For those who were unable to attend Bradley TV created the following show reel to set the scene and showcase exactly what you’ve missed.

http://vtxt.tv/jQP0fF2

I have to admit that after the event last year I wasn’t sure how the team would make it bigger and better but they did. There was a genuine buzz around the two days and I was really proud to be a part of it once again.

Not only do we support the team as their preferred PR partner but we also exhibit at the event, so we know first-hand what can be achieved at the Buy Yorkshire Conference and the benefits that come from being present. Not only is the event great for brand building but also for meeting up with some well-known faces and making new contacts as well.

What I like most about the Buy Yorkshire Conference is the variety of businesses that stand side-by-side in each room. There is everything and anything from printing supplies to merchandise, currency conversion to financial management services. It’s great to see so many companies of all sizes coming together to share their success and champion the Yorkshire region.

As a PR agency it can be difficult to get across what we do without it appearing ‘fluffy’ and a ‘nice to have’. The Conference gives us the opportunity to talk to people and to share our case studies and the successful campaigns that we have managed in the past. It is always reassuring to hear that people have heard about us or that we have been recommended to them – there is no greater compliment.

We have some exciting plans for the Conference next year and hope that in approaching the event differently, as the team who organise it do each year, we can bring PR to life. The event is such a fantastic platform for businesses who want to connect, share, engage and learn from each other and we are certainly excited about being a part of that mix.

All that is left to say is that it was a very busy couple of days but certainly worthwhile. Thanks to Geoff and the team at the Yorkshire Mafia for putting on such an amazing Conference once again – I’m really not sure how you are going to top it next year but look forward to hearing about the plans.

Open adds to the awards cabinet

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

Some years ago now, when I was taking a BA(hons) PR degree at Leeds Metropolitan University, it was explained to a lecture room full of under-graduates that if we really wanted to make a success of our PR careers we would have to go to London.

There were a couple of problems with this statement; firstly, I didn’t want to go to London and secondly, for anyone who knows me, you will agree that I simply don’t fit into the mold that is often expected of PR people in the capital – and certainly not back then!

Instead, I took my bloody-minded attitude and focused on doing what I wanted to do best – forge a career in Yorkshire, the largest county in the country and a region that I believe is home to some of the UK’s most successful, innovative and forward thinking entrepreneurs.

More than 15 years later, I was sat at my desk – trying to get to the bottom of my ever increasing ‘to do’ list – and a letter arrived announcing that I had been acknowledged as one of the regions 42 leading entrepreneurs under 42 – what an accolade.

The letter explained that the annual 42 under 42 Entrepreneur Awards was created to showcase the brightest local talent, whilst bringing together the next generation of business leaders, who have helped to bolster the Yorkshire economy through innovation, expertise and investment.

This was a real achievement for Open Communications – not for me – but for the team and in particular my business partner, Emma. You see, every award, accolade, achievement and testimonial at Open Communications is down to team work and is absolutely as a result of a decision that we made more than 5 years ago; to go it alone – but to do it together.

I believe wholeheartedly that this accolade comes as a result of the consistent approach that we take at Open Communications to clients, which includes our ‘no air kissing’ policy, which is just one of the values that forms part of the solid foundations of the business that we have today.

It goes without saying that it is a real privilege to be acknowledged as one of the leading entrepreneurs in the region and it’s not something I would ever have expected. There is little doubt that the success of the agency is down to our no-nonsense approach to PR and marketing communications but more importantly to simple hard work.

The PR industry has suffered from a terrible reputation that isn’t entirely unwarranted; going back to my first comments about having to go to London to have a career within the industry gives you a glimpse of ‘the good old days’ and an attitude that thankfully has waned over the years.

When we launched Open Communications back in 2008, we set out to work as an extension of our clients’ teams and to deliver creative campaigns that add real value. As a growing and ambitious team, I am extremely proud of the campaigns that we produce and the clients that we work alongside.

In an attempt to turn the PR industry on its head we set out to provide clients of all sizes with a straight talking agency that would deliver results driven campaigns that would meet with objectives.

Almost six years later and we are a five-strong team, working with a range of clients from a variety of sectors including KP Snacks, HARIBO, The Ridings Shopping Centre, Xamax, Paragon and Abdul’s Indian takeaway and diner.

So, well done team Open. Here’s to many more successes along the way.

A surprisingly ‘souper’ evening

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Lindsey Davies

My nerves were getting the better of me, what had I let myself in for this time? Why do I do it when I already have so much going on? Turning into Leeds, I could see the city before me, it looked peaceful and calm, if a little dark, but the lights were twinkling in the distance making it look pretty and inviting.

That’s the last thing I was expecting from the latest experience I’d signed up to – inviting was certainly not what was on the agenda this evening! You see, as many of you know, when I’m offered the chance to experience something new, I always think it’s important that you take it.

As an active member of the Yorkshire Mafia, I find that there are many opportunities to meet new people and to offer advice and support. In particular, you may have heard of something called Skill Will; it is the organisation which matches private and public sector businesses with third sector charities.

The concept behind Skill Will is simple; if you’re a painter and decorator then offer that skill to a charity, if you’re a lawyer however then it would be more worthwhile to provide legal services and advice to these companies, who are not often in the position to pay for them.

So, back to my story, I had been given the opportunity as a member of the Yorkshire Mafia to try out something new – but not all experiences can be categorised as positive and I was starting to fear the worst on my journey into Leeds City Centre. I had put my name down for a soup kitchen with Simon on the Streets, the charity that provides outreach services for the most vulnerable – and often homeless people – in West Yorkshire.

In all honesty I have been wanting to get involved in something similar for a while and tried at Christmas but learnt that you can’t just show up – you have to be a registered volunteer and you need to go through a process – so this was my chance to see what it was all about.

I scurried up the road, feeling a little anxious and if I’m honest unsafe. I don’t walk around Leeds a lot on my own at night and for some reason the thought of infiltrating a world I know very little about really unnerved me.

I met with Helen, General Manager for the charity and Jenny the Treasurer, along with another first time volunteer Sam. We met for a quick coffee in McDonalds for a catch up before getting out and into the thick of it.

I was aware that I had lots of questions; how do people end up on the streets, how are they meant to learn what’s right from wrong, why can’t society play a better role in helping them, surely there are resources available, where does the money come from, what can people do to help, why does this happen…

Once I’d got one or two things off my chest we were on our way and the butterflies returned. We had a better idea of what to expect and rather than handing out soup in doorways to people who barely graced you with a grunt, as I was expecting, we rounded the corner to a collective of around 20 people enjoying soup and a roll.

They were laughing, shouting, biking around and telling jokes. Some were singing and others just keeping themselves to themselves but what struck me was that in the crudest sense of the word this was a community. It may be a dysfunctional one but a community none-the-less.

Just like the regulars down our local pub, my Dad would say they were there to ‘tell some jokes and swap some lies’ and that was exactly what it looked like. It wasn’t scary at all. We stood a little away from the group and I have to admit to feeling a little ashamed. I was there to see what goes on, yet felt like I was ‘observing’ these people – as if that was my right, which of course it isn’t.

I needn’t have worried, soon enough a young chap called Tommy* came over and introduced himself. He held out his hand and said I looked like a Russian doll – my coat is red and he mentioned his Mum had a figure that wore a similar outfit.

He then proceeded to make us laugh with his dry sense of humour for the proceeding 10 minutes with his anecdotes and warnings of ‘don’t step back – there’s something behind you and it’s not great. I’ve just moonwalked through it. Never one to miss an opportunity to perform!’.

He then explained, very matter-of-factly that he was going to be spending a couple of hours with a man he had recently met who was sleeping on the streets at the other side of Leeds; ‘he doesn’t know anyone you see’, he explained, ‘he doesn’t have a blanket, so I’m going to help him get one’.

I believe that Tommy is an exception to the rule when you’re trying to engage with people who have such complex needs. The basic principle is that it’s every man for himself but I was taken by this young man and his eagerness to engage and to help someone else.

Then came Stuart*. Well, what a character! He approached a little cautiously at first and then held his hand out and said ‘hello, miss’. He continued to call me ‘miss’ despite knowing my name, it was a very gentlemanly gesture. At one point he seemed to go off into his own world and relive some tragedy, which made him cry, before coming back to the conversation and telling me that I should listen to Led Zeppelin.

Looking around the group of people I didn’t feel nervous or scared, I just felt compassion and a very deep sympathy – but not the sadness I expected. I didn’t want to cry, I just wanted to let them know that for that brief moment, I think I understood. Many of these people have little choice but to end up in the situations they do – it’s no surprise when you listen to their stories but then again, the same can be said for anyone.

I wouldn’t wish this situation on my worst enemy – to end up reliant on drugs or drink to get you through the day and help you to forget about the awful things you have experienced, before tucking yourself up on the cold steps of a shop doorway at the end of a long day in preparation for another night on the streets.

What I was so thankful for was the wonderful work that the team at Simon on the Streets deliver. It was about more than soup and a bun, it was about companionship and the closest thing to friendship these people may ever experience. Most importantly it was about listening. As simple as that. Listening without judgement.

Like many others I go through my day worrying about many things that in the grand scheme are trivial by comparison to the worries that these people have.

When I fall asleep tonight, tucked up in my warm bed, cup of tea in hand and hot water bottle by my side I will think about Tommy and Stuart and hope that they are ok, because thanks to them, I had a great night out and an experience that I will pass on to others in the hope that we can all do more to support the people in the system who for one reason or another just don’t fit.

Good night all.

*The names of those I met have been changed in order to protect their identity.