TWO local mums are working hard to buck the recent trend that shows small, local charities are closing down at a rate faster than they are opening.

After seeing the result by the Small Charities Commission, Dr Kate Dobb, from Timperley and her childhood friend Dr Emma Baker-Langman from High Legh, decided it was a problem that needed to be addressed, and became the brains behind the launch of Great Cause Communications.

The co-founders have had many parallel life experiences - including serious illnesses as children and unusual routes to motherhood; Kate’s children were born thanks to her friend who acted as a surrogate, and Emma’s three children were adopted. Their experiences have meant that both women have been users of charities and benefitted from the support they provide and has made the making of a high impact business with a strong social purpose all the more important to the pair.

Emma Baker-Langman, 42, who recently returned from a senior role in the Middle East, said “It feels good to have swapped a high flying corporate career for something so close to my heart, and I’m especially excited to be helping our wonderful local charities.”

Using their combined expertise in internal and external communications, the pair looked into issue and came to the conclusion that, despite many small charities doing fabulous work, they often don’t have the skills or confidence to design effective media strategies.

The new Timperley based business will support small local charities and community organisations by providing affordable communications training and mentoring.

Kate Dobb, 40, said “We’ve been friends for over 24 years so when we realised we could combine our skills to help causes we care about we jumped at the chance. Having known each other for so long, we know how each other ticks and it’s a joy to see the difference we can make together.”

Great Cause Communications has already provided training for several local charities including Petty Pool College, The Neuromuscular Centre, The Rotary, The Welcome Community Café, Stick ‘n’ Step and The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT).

Helen Crowther, CAFT fundraiser and press officer said: “I was fortunate to be invited to join Emma and Kate at one of their ‘making the most of the media’ workshops recently, and I really can’t speak highly enough of them. From beginning to end they made me, and my fellow attendees, really welcome and relaxed. Their knowledge of the media industry was impressive, they had devised a fantastic session which encouraged us all to share our experiences and learn from each other, and from them. I’m hoping to continue to work with Great Cause Comms and have made some fantastic connections with other charities which are proving to be mutually beneficial.”

For more information visit www.greatcausecomms.com