Kelly Green

Here at Boxx, we're starting off this new year with a brand new membership to the locally well-renowned Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce.

As one of the fastest growing chambers in the UK alongside sister Northamptonshire Chamber, Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce is the 7th largest chamber nationally and has won numerous awards. Not bad considering they've only been going since 2013!

Our reasons for joining the Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce this year are plentiful…

Stronger Together

In parallel with other chambers across the country, Chamber MK have successfully transitioned their networking meetings to be delivered virtually, so even with this long road of COVID restrictions ahead of us, until potentially Spring or beyond, the opportunity to meet with like-minded local businesses, whom we can learn from and share experiences with is going to be crucial. Whilst we are not all in the same boat, we are all riding the same storm and the term ‘stronger together’ is a sentiment we feel passionate about, as we all try to navigate these tricky COVID waters that are impacting businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Knowledge is Power

Similarly, the schedule of events and opportunities to learn via the chamber are abundant, despite the tight restrictions currently imposed. We can’t wait for our team to take advantage of these as well as put together a presentation of our own to share with fellow members. We strongly believe that there is something to be learnt from every person met, business engaged with or situation experienced and equally we are happy to help others learn from our expertise in order to grow.

Spread the Word

Never have we spent so much time online… With permanently full inboxes it can be tricky to keep up with the news and views of the masses. We consider having an eco-system of good quality, trusted resources of far greater benefit than a vast quantity of relatively unknown connections. The Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce brings likeminded businesses together… Their business directory will now be one of our go-to places and following their news feed and social platforms we know will bring quality content to our attention.

Support

The UK is at a pivotal moment and with the Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce being party of the wider British Chambers of Commerce, who are leading the recovery of businesses from the impact of COVID, members have access to a plethora of advice and support. The UK economy needs to recover, businesses need to bounce back and build resilience and the support offered will aid us all in doing this throughout 2021 and beyond.

With all that said and whilst conscious of the hard work ahead, Team Boxx are raring to go this year and excited to meet our fellow new members and make 2021 a year to remember for more positive reasons!

This year Boxx Communications are supporting the charity MacIntyre with their The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2020 in an aim to provide technology to those the charity supports.

MacIntyre is an award-winning national charity which provides education, care and support for more than 1,200 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and/or autism across England and Wales.

The use of technology has accelerated enormously during 2020 due to the pandemic and has proved a lifeline for many people. It’s easy to take for granted not just accessibility to technology in today’s modern world, but also that for some, the ability to understand how to use devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers doesn’t always come easy.

The Big Give is designed to bridge that gap by providing access to digital devices and helping to develop the digital skills required to keep in touch with loved ones, which has proved even more crucial this year than ever before.

The campaign launched in July with the charity looking for 10 pledges of support to reach their goal of raising £1000.

Boxx, recognising the value in the project were happy to get involved alongside the following incredible pledgers:

• Andrew Miller
• Matt Worthington - Storm Videos
• Pete Davis - Flex Display
• Rosemary Hart
• Leander McFadden
• Niraj Kapur - Everybody Works in Sales
• Ruth Bright
• Andy Setterfield - Profile Resourcing
• Chloe and Graham Varney

The next part of the project will take place between 1-8 December when the charity will be looking to secure further donations – all of which will be doubled by The Big Give!

The charity are also holding a Virtual Christmas Fair, organising a Virtual Christmas Concert, and hosting a Gameathon, so there are plenty of ways to get involved and show support.

Technology has proved it has the ability to make a real difference to the way people live this year and it’s use will continue to accelerate even after the restrictions of the pandemic have subsided. Boxx are passionate about using technology to make positive improvements to the way we all live and work and are proud to be supporting this project.

James Green – Co-Owner, Boxx spoke of the donation:

We’re thrilled to be supporting MacIntyre with their Big Give Campaign. Providing technology to those they support helps to develop digital skills and this has become a lifeline during times of COVID restrictions. These skills are more important now than ever before and we congratulate the charity for recognising this and taking such a proactive approach.

To find out more about The Big Give Christmas Challenge, or to make a donation, visit the website here.

We have a WINNER..!

Lucy Gallois is a Relationship Manager here at Boxx and anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her will know; she really is a force to be reckoned with.

We’re thrilled that she has been recognised for her talents and hard work, in the Women Leaders Awards 2020

With 20 years telecommunications experience under her belt, we knew Lucy was an expert in her field. But it is her drive to add value to every person she meets that makes her stand out from the crowd and why she has been acknowledged in the Digital and Technology category of these prestigious awards.

Lucy is a true example of the Women in Tech movement who inspires confidence in others, recognises talents in everyone and encourages personal growth and development. It is her ability to converse at high level or in technical depth about overcoming challenges and realising benefits through the implementation of technology that has led her to become not only a trusted resource, but also make significant impact within the Milton Keynes business community.

The Women Leaders Awards celebrate extraordinary women living or working within Milton Keynes, achieving remarkable things and believe it is more important than ever to recognise these inspiring women within our communities and in our workplaces.

This year’s awards, like many other 2020 events, may have been a little different, but wow… Didn’t they put on an event to remember..?!

With Cindy Rose OBE, President of Western Europe at Microsoft as key-note speaker and both Dr Julie Mills OBE, CEO & Principle of MK College and Ruby Palmer, Director: TOTM, Signia Wealth and Twenty3 Sport, not to mention the finalists in all 16 categories, the evening was certainly not short of inspirational women to admire the achievements of.

In good company, Lucy not only did herself proud with this amazing win but everyone here at Boxx.

We are so proud of everything she has achieved and are grateful to have her on the team!

This November Boxx are joining forces with fellow MK based Cygnus to raise money for the amazing local charity Transitions UK.

From the comfort of their own working-from-home desks, the teams at both Boxx and Cygnus will be donning an array of purple in a bid to raise awareness and much needed funds for the charity.

Charities have been hit particularly hard this year, so here at Boxx we were keen to show our support and get involved in this join-in-from-home fundraiser.

Transitions UK supports disadvantaged young people at risk (aged 14 to 25 years) to ensure they transition to healthy, happy and fulfilled adult lives.

The 4 areas of support they offer include:

• ACHIEVE For young people with special needs and learning disabilities
• ATTAIN For vulnerable young people who are leaving care.
• ASPIRE For young people at risk of criminal exploitation or offending
• ASPIRE For young people with emotional and mental health needs.

This year, disadvantaged young people have been met with many more challenges and the fantastic work Transitions UK does to support them is more important than ever before.

By taking part in #WearItPurple on 19th November we hope to raise awareness and much needed funds for this brilliant cause.

Please show your support if you can, either by joining in or donating here.