As a Community Interest Company, we exist to create impact—not profit. Our heartbeat is people, our mission is change, and our measure of success is the lives we touch.
But what happens when we grow? Growth can be both exciting and daunting. The bigger we get, the greater our reach—but also the greater the risk of losing sight of the values that made us who we are.
At Community Together CIC, our journey shows that it is possible to scale while staying true to your purpose.
🌱 From One Café to a Community Anchor
When we began in 2011, we started with just one project: a community café. It was our acorn—the first seed of something bigger. From that one small start, we listened carefully to the needs of the people we served and reflected those needs in the services we provided.
We had no large funding pots or sophisticated infrastructure—just relationships, trust, and a conviction that community-led action could transform lives. From that foundation, we’ve grown into a medium-to-large social enterprise employing 18 local people, contributing to the local economy, and supporting 75 individuals through volunteering opportunities that strengthen both them and our mission.
👥 Growing Responsively, Putting People First
Our growth has always been about response, not ego. When a major local employer closed, we supported over 100 employees facing unemployment. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we stepped into the role of Tamworth’s anchor organisation, ensuring no one was left behind.
We’ve coordinated appeals, such as the March for Ukraine, supported Ukrainians settling in our community with information, advice, and guidance, and sponsored major local events, including Tamworth Pride and the Tamworth Jobs Fair. Each step of growth has been guided by one principle: listen first, respond quickly, and put people before process.
🌍 Sharing, Not Guarding
Our secret has never been about guarding what we do. We’re not precious. If another group wants to start something similar, we help them—because more impact in the community is always a win. We don’t wait for funding to act; instead, we utilize the resources we already have and share them with others.
That spirit of openness, combined with the dedication of our directors, staff, and volunteers, is what has made us who we are. It’s why we’ve become one of the most independently audited social enterprises in Tamworth, recognised locally, regionally, and nationally for our impact.
✨ Protecting the Soul of Growth
Scaling impact is not about doing everything, everywhere. It’s about doing more of what matters—while staying true to the values that make your community unique. Growth is robust, but only when it strengthens, rather than dilutes, your soul.
At Community Together CIC, we’ll never forget that our roots are in a small café project built on relationships and trust. That spirit of gratitude, responsiveness, and collaboration remains the heartbeat of everything we do.
As we grow, we commit to growing closer to our purpose, our people, and our community. That is how you scale without losing your soul.
💭 What does “soulful growth” look like in your community?
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