A year in the life of a community enterprise

N21online.com is a new social enterprise,

using the Internet to start to build a

stronger local community in the North

London suburb where I live, by making

these organisations more visible to local

residents

A community is an enterprise, to be

nurtured, for the wellbeing of its inhabitants

and businesses. One of the best ways of

doing this is by encouraging people to

become more involved in their local area

Launched in January 2010 this presentation reviews the first year in

the life of n21online.com

“New media is becoming more important in the successful engagement of local communities”The Independent, September 2010

The dynamic world of local online communities

Enabling people to find and use local businesses

Supporting the hidden business sector, people running businesses from

home, local halls and public venues and local retailers

"A friend, Anne, has recommended I list my business on your site as she has already had some success from doing so"

Encouraging people to support local recycling initiatives

Showcasing local environmental & community projects

Promoting local events

“Wow, I didn’t know there was so much going on”

Supporting local charities

“Thank you for your continued support”Sue Jamson, Chickenshed Publicity

Over 1600 people have read about Woodcroft Wildspace

Celebrating local achievement

LOCAL GIRL KATY LAUNCHES DEBUT ALBUM & US TOUR HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TO HERBERT HARDING ON BROADWAY WINS BEACH PRIZE GOOD IDEA FROM COUNCILLOR LAMPRECHT HIGHLANDS SCHOOL ACHIEVES RECORD GCSE RESULTS CONGRATULATIONS TO JIM & WAYNEWINNERS OF THE ELECTRIC BLUES OPEN MIC COMPETITION VILLAGE VET DEMONSTRATES THE WONDERS OF MODERN VETERINARY SCIENCE CONGRATULATIONS TO ELEANOR PHILPOTT CONGRATULATIONS TO OLD GRAMMARIANS CONGRATULATIONS TO JAMES CREAGH CONGRATULATIONS TO JANETTE FAHERTY CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDREW & SIMON WELL DONE OXFAM IN WINCHMORE HILL

Supporting community action

Promoting national community & environmental initiatives

Encouraging civic engagement

These minutes have had over 200 hits, a new way for the Council to reach out to local residents?

Providing new ideas for small businesses

This article has had over 1200 hits

The site looks brilliant!”...it is an excellent idea to pull all N21 activities/info/history together!

"A friend, Anne, has recommended I list my business on your site as she has already had some success from doing so"

“Thanks so much for contacting me, I have just been on the site and its great, I would love to be on it”

“thank you for posting the advert on n21online we love the wording and the photos came out great we have already started getting clients from the ad”

“Brilliant site by the way”

“It's a great site, and thanks for promoting The Big Draw”

“I've check out your community website and its great! It would be absolutely fantastic if you could feature

the Julian Campbell Foundation”

Great feedback from dozens of people

“I live in N21 and would love to add my business to your directory if possible”

“I would love to insert an advert for my fitness classes”

“I bumped into Janice today who lives in Winchmore Hill, so naturally I told her about your wonderful website”

“I would be delighted if you could put my profile on your website!! thank you”

What next?

N21online.com will support local business through new local initiatives, in conjunction with

local business groups; set up working from home groups; set up N21 networking groups;

help launch a new residents association for Highlands Village and new youth club; help

Highlands School to build its community links, including a May Fair in 2011; evaluate the

opportunity for a new Farmers Market; improve the social networking functionality of the

site to make it easier to use; celebrate the achievements of N21 businesses and residents

and lots more

A busy year?

Helen Osman helen@n21online.com