Charity Spotlight: First Steps ED

Core Telecom proudly supports numerous charitable organisations by donating 03 numbers and other services, allowing charities to set up and utilise 03 numbers free of charge. Throughout this initiative, Core Telecom has built wonderful relationships with the organisations we support. 

One of these is First Steps ED, an eating disorders charity based in Derby, that provides support to people all over the UK. First Steps ED stands out for its approach to helping people of all ages, with their service users ranging from 5 to 80 years old; not discriminating according to people’s BMI, they have successfully built an accepting and inclusive community. 

We sat down with First Steps ED’s Senior Fundraising, Marketing, and Communications Manager, Lucy Robinson, to discuss the benefits of Core Telecom’s 03 number donation. 

“Having a 03 number put us on a platform to show that our support is available everywhere in the UK. It was a no-brainer for our charity to change to a 03 number, to show people that we are ready to take that call”, Robinson says. 

Core Telecom’s commitment to helping charities by donating 03 numbers is reflected in First Steps ED and the work they lead. Discussing how this donation can help charities all over the UK, Robinson states: 

“A lot of the time the conversations (about donations) are around services, but how we work and portray ourselves is so important. Knowing that there are organisations out there that can help in terms of how we work – it helps take that pressure off the charities. And it makes an impact. To know that that number has been donated to us, is one less thing to worry about as a charity” 

Having a 03 number as a donation has changed the way people reach and contact First Steps ED, including their commissioners; having people feel more confident in contacting the charity can make a massive difference in being able to help as many as possible. Concluding our conversation, Lucy tells me that charities should not underestimate the small things, and the impact a number donation can make on a charity’s work. 

First Steps ED is constantly running new initiatives and including their service users in everything they do. Some of their upcoming campaigns focus on perinatal mental health and motherhood. They are also working on research projects in collaboration with universities to discover more about Body Dysmorphia and MODE, standing for Muscle Oriented Disordered Eating. 

You can find more information about First Steps ED and the work they carry here: https://firststepsed.co.uk/

To discover more about Core Telecom’s 03 number donation, please contact: [email protected]