Victim support organisation is newest resident in London's charity hub 

13th April 2010 - A new organisation for victims of crime is the latest customer to take up residence with CAN Mezzanine ─ London's award-winning social enterprise that provides office space for Third Sector organisations such as charities and social enterprises.

Why Me? moved into CAN Mezzanine's offices in East Road, London N1 (off Old Street) on 6 April, joining a thriving hub of other Third Sector organisations located in the same building. They include the Institute for Learning (the professional body for teachers, trainers and assessors in further education), My Heart Log (an online community for people recovering from cardiac surgery) and the Development Trust Association (a network of community enterprise practitioners).

"Being based at CAN Mezzanine is ideal as we are so close to public transport and to our other partners in London," says Why Me? Director Sian West.

"But added to that is the unique atmosphere and high quality environment which makes a small organisation like ourselves feel welcome and gives us a professional face. We are looking forward to the benefits that being amongst other charities and similar organisations will bring, as well as the CAN Mezzanine support and advice."

CAN Mezzanine, which is part of the leading social enterprise CAN (formerly Community Action Network), is seeing unprecedented interest in Third Sector organisations looking to box their costs and take advantage of the three-month flexible licence. Other organisations that have recently moved into one of CAN Mezzanine's three sites in London (two in Southwark and one in Old Street, N1) in February, March and April this year include the disabled children's charity KIDS, the newly-founded mental health charity Mental Health First Aid England, the Complementary Medical Association and two faith groups - the Muslim Institute and This One Event.

KIDS is a national charity working with disabled children, young people and their families. "The fact that the CAN Mezzanine has other charities based in it was a major selling point for KIDS as a number of organisations we work with are also based here, which makes keeping in touch easier," says Youth Work Practitioner Zara Todd. "Also the building contains many organisations which are relevant to our work, which opens doors for us." 

Mental Health First Aid England, which recently moved out of NHS offices in central London to become a community interest company, provides mental health awareness training. Business Manager Bernice Cole says: "It's nice not to have to worry about setting up everything from scratch. Telephones, internet and other back-office support is all taken care of and it's really useful having meeting rooms available on site. The intranet is an invaluable source of information as it helps us to make links - and we've already met some very interesting people at the networking breakfasts. Finally, I like the fact that CAN Mezzanine uses Fair Trade products and is committed to recycling."

CAN Mezzanine provides high-quality affordable office space to charities and social enterprises, housing some of the leading names in social change within the not-for-profit sector including the World Wildlife Foundation, New Philanthropy Capital, Women's Aid and TimeBank. By providing back office facilities, flexibility and value-for-money CAN Mezzanine saves its Third Sector residents around £5,000 a year for every desk space rented, as overheads, meeting rooms and back-office support are included in rental costs.

Andrew Croft, chief executive of CAN Mezzanine says:
"Now more than ever organisations are having to focus on their core mission. For most organisations in the Third Sector, property and facilities management are, understandably, not core competencies and are often very expensive distractions when taken in the round. In uncertain times and with expected public sector funding cuts, many charities are preparing for another hard year. For CAN Mezzanine customers having three-month licences means they can stay where they are, but reduce or increase their space according to their needs with little fuss. This enables them to continue concentrating on their core mission without the disruption of having to move."

A recent survey of CAN customers (released on 29 March 2010) revealed that the cost savings, the three-month licence and the ability to network with other charities were the main benefits of being located in CAN Mezzanine.

ENDS

More information from:

Anne Nicholls, CAN Press Office
Tel: 020 7250 8046. Mobile: 07973 491439.
Email: a.nicholls@can-online.org.uk
or  Kate Markey, Deputy Chief Executive
Tel: 020 7250 8060. Email: k.markey@can-online.org.uk

A photograph of Sian West, Director of Who Cares? Is available from Anne Nicholls

Notes to Editors

CAN (formerly Community Action Network) is recognised as one of the UK's leading organisations for the development, promotion and support for Third Sector organisations, social entrepreneurs and social enterprises. It runs CAN Social Investment, CAN Engage, CAN Advise and CAN Mezzanine (its own social enterprise). CAN Mezzanine has three office buildings in London - two in London SE1 (1 London Bridge and 32-36 Loman Street) and one inLondon N1 (49-51 East Road, off Old Street). CAN Mezzanine London Bridge has 414 desks, CAN Mezzanine Loman St has 281 desks and CAN Old Street has 480 desks.An independent social impact finding survey found that in 2005-6, CAN Mezzanine London Bridge was 55% cheaper than the average of the three largest providers of serviced office space in the UK. This equates to £2,400,891 savings for the Third Sector based on average sized organisations being 5-6 people. Space is sold per desk and the price includes meeting rooms, conference facilities, serviced kitchens, reception, back office support, discount services, events and networking.
(more about CAN)

Why Me? is a new campaigning organisation which seeks to give a voice to victims of crime and conflict. In particular they want to see restorative justice become a right and not merely a privilege for those victims who want answers that the criminal justice system cannot always give. It aims to provide awareness of the benefits of restorative justice which is available in some parts of the UK but not universally.
http://www.why-me.org/

KIDS is a national charity working with disabled children, young people and their families to realise their aspirations and their right to an inclusive community which supports them and their families. Working directly with disabled children, young people and their families as well as professionals we provide Home Learning services, play, youth and parents groups, short breaks services as well as training and information.
http://www.kids.org.uk/

Mental Health First Aid England is a new community interest company, formed from a previous Department of Health programme, that is responsible for rolling out mental health first aid training in England. It provides a 12-hour course aimed at increasing mental health literacy, reducing stigma and discrimination and stimulating appropriate learning behaviour. Instructors are trained to deliver the course in their own organisations or communities.
http://www.mhfa.org.uk/