Hello there, I thought I would take the opportunity to introduce myself and the HD8 Network.
If you are not already familiar, the HD8 Network is a local online hub; providing a local calendar, directory and news section for people who work, rest or play in the HD8 (and surrounding) area.
My name is Merewyn, I live in Clayton West with my husband, daughter and, and created the HD8 Network 11 years ago, whilst running my main business Sayers Solutions.
There were many impetuses for creating the HD8 Network; one of which was, whilst working with a Sayers Solutions client, looking at ways to promote his building firm locally, we couldn’t find a newspaper or other PR opportunities that effectively covered this area.
Community, small businesses and ‘shop local’, as well as sustainability/circular economy, are things that I personally am passionate about.
At the same time as running Sayers Solutions and HD8 Network, being a mum, wife and friend, a campervanner and attempting to have a social life, I am also actively involved in many other volunteering roles.
The main one being the elected Area Lead in West Yorkshire for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), whereby I am the conduit between the members and the organisation. Alongside the Development Manager, I help to plan and coordinate the Area activities, as well as feeding examples and issues through the FSB Policy channels to lobby government and other stakeholders on behalf of small business. I am mostly known for hosting the weekly online networking events which started during Covid – check out the FSB website for more details.
I am also a founding member and a Trustee for the Friends of CHaT Parks in Wakefield, for which we have recently held our 15th AGM!
I was also part of a group of people that tried to buy a chapel to restore it as a community venue in Clayton West, but we were outbid by a developer … Alongside getting involved and supporting other community groups and activities …
Whilst the HD8 Network was never intended to be about me, I have recently been told I should explain ‘the why’ behind the HD8 Network, to help people understand what it is and overcome their misconceptions (i.e. we are nothing to do with the free magazine that is delivered through people’s door and we are not a Business Networking Event).
We’re an online platform … who admittedly have held events pre covid for organisations to come together and meet in person – BUT is not the be all and end all of what we do!
We’re here whether you Work, Rest or Play in the HD8 postcode and surrounding area.
My aim is to help more local people do and buy more locally, whilst enabling me and my family to also do so. It’s too easy to google and buy stuff from Amazon or rely on supermarkets for the things we need, but that doesn’t have an economic or social benefit to our local area!
Even when you WANT to shop local, it can be really hard to know if items and services are available locally – especially if you are time poor and work during traditional shop opening hours.
Also, as you can tell from my various community activities, I know the struggles of promoting community activity and the cost implications and barriers for doing so and want to provide an accessible and attractive platform for groups and events to shout about the amazing things they do. Plus, if you are a B2C business, you need to have consumers using the platform to promote what you do – there’s of course limited benefit to showcasing to just businesses!
If you simply Rest or Play in this wonderful area, you do not need to be a member to use our resources.
You can of course join our Facebook Groups, follow our other social media channels (whilst liking, commenting and sharing our posts pretty please, helping to spread the word) and use our website – www.HD8network.co.uk
We are working towards sending email marketing updates about events and news in the local area. If you would be interested in subscribing to this mailing list, please enter your details here – https://zcmp.eu/rHo3 (details will never be shared with third parties and only used for this purpose).
However, if you Work here, you might be interested in our membership, of which we offer two types: Business and Community.
I understand much of the activity that happens in the local area is run by volunteers and community groups, who either have little to no money, or more pressing needs for their funds. And so, our Community membership, as well as the use of the local events calendar is (in theory) subsidised by our paying Business members.
Community Bronze membership is free, as is adding events to the calendar.
Full details of membership options are available here – www.HD8network.co.uk/join/
I have many hopes and dreams for the HD8 Network, the main one being to employ local people, so that I can go back to focusing on my main business, as well as freeing up my time so I can devote more attention to community activities (don’t tell my husband that part!).
If you would like to chat about this, my number is 01484 244442 / 07518296949
Ultimately though, keep checking out the website to find local products and services – www.HD8network.co.uk … and if there is something you are looking for that you can’t find, get in touch, we’ll happily help search it out for you!