What is Neighbourly and the AI123 Campaign?
Neighbourly – connecting business and communities for social good – is an initiative that brings together companies and thousands of vetted local charities, food banks, and community groups across the UK and Ireland. The mission is to make it easy for companies to deliver meaningful support through volunteering, financial donations, and surplus redistribution, right into the heart of the communities that need it most. With over a decade of on-the-ground expertise in social impact programmes, the project inspires a dynamic connection between businesses and good causes, making community engagement authentic and purposeful. The AI123 campaign, a critical facet of this initiative, is designed to bridge the AI skills gap for charities by connecting volunteers with a local network of good causes, ensuring that small charities are not left behind in the digital age… It is a simple pathway for getting started with AI, whether by learning the tools or training someone else.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
The campaign is all about impact and inspiring change through tech-powered community distribution. Key data points include:
- 200,000 engaged learners
- 100,000 people trained with entry-level AI knowledge
- Surplus food and product redistribution to support communities
- Direct and grant-based financial donations directed at those in need
- Employee-driven volunteering programmes that transform both lives and communities
Tech-Powered Community Distribution
The intuitive technology powering Neighbourly’s platform allows businesses to manage their own volunteering and giving programmes with ease. It also offers local good causes a marketplace where they can receive free resources, making it simpler than ever to see social impact materialize. This tech-driven approach is one of the key reasons why the platform stands out among other social networks and info-sharing initiatives. Users experience real-time scheduling, event management, and transparent tracking of their contributions – all crucial in today’s fast-paced digital environment… It’s a smart, efficient way to ensure that volunteering and support are administered with precision.
Meaningful Community Engagement
Meaningful community engagement remains at the core of Neighbourly’s ethos. With deep-rooted, sustainable support for local communities, the project harnesses business expertise to co-create initiatives that address primary community priorities. Strategic guidance is provided alongside practical support, ensuring that community needs are not only met but anticipated. This dynamic blend of strategy and on-the-ground action creates an environment where both businesses and charities flourish together, nurturing a spirit of inclusive growth that feels refreshingly human and approachable.
AI123: Bridging the Digital Divide
The AI123 learning programme is geared towards easing charities into the world of artificial intelligence. As part of a broader initiative to empower organisations through digital skills training, volunteers with a knack for tech step in to help small charities embrace AI tools. The campaign’s collaboration with global tech leaders adds an extra layer of credibility and resourcefulness. Volunteers gain not only technical know-how but also personal growth by sharing their expertise and making substantial contributions to their communities. The casual and engaging nature of these training sessions makes AI accessible… every volunteer has a role in ensuring that no charity is left behind in the digital revolution.
Why Neighbourly Stands Out
Neighbourly is recognized for having the largest network of vetted charities and good causes in the UK, backed by a track record that includes award-winning leadership in tech security and community needs-led giving. It remains free for charities and good causes forever, ensuring that every organisation, no matter its size, can take advantage of the platform. This inclusive approach reassures both businesses and charities that support is available without barriers. The engaging, no-nonsense tone of the platform’s communication reflects its core value: making a positive difference, one community at a time.
Project Impact
- Responsible Business (aligned with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- CSR (echoing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Community (reflecting SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- Charity (inspired by SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 2: Zero Hunger)
- Volunteering (embodying SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)
Volunteer Contributions and Future Outlook
Volunteering with Neighbourly means more than helping out – it’s an opportunity to gain new skills, build meaningful connections, and be part of something larger than oneself. Volunteers step into roles that are every bit as transformative for them as they are for the charities in need. The initiative provides a unique mix of tech savvy, community spirit, and strategic impact reporting, which enables both businesses and volunteers to track and celebrate meaningful social impact easily. With strategic partnerships (including the collaboration with Microsoft in the AI123 programme) leading the charge, the project’s forward-thinking vision is set to continue evolving… creating ripples of positive change across communities throughout the UK and Ireland. Ultimately, Neighbourly’s approach fosters an ecosystem where digital empowerment meets grassroots support, making every minute of volunteer time count.
