At the heart of every charitable organisation is a powerful story. Whether it’s helping families through a tough time, creating a safe space for young people or getting food into the community, your work changes lives. But how often do you pause to share that impact?
When told well, stories are your most powerful tool. They build trust, spark emotion and action, and inspire people to give their time, money or donations. In this blog we’ll share how you can make sure your stories shine.
Start by focusing on the people behind your work. Statistics are attention-grabbing but real stories from the individuals you’ve helped are emotionally engaging. Keep it simple, personal and respectful. Use first names (with permission), highlight the challenge they faced, and show how your support made a difference.
Think about structure: a strong beginning, middle and end helps people connect. Start with the challenge, then explain the action, and end with the outcome. A quote from the person involved adds authenticity, while photos or short videos can make your story more engaging on social media or your Neighbourly page.
Stories connect us on a human level. When people hear about the real-life impact of your work, it helps them feel the difference you're making. That emotional connection is what often turns a passive supporter into an active one. A well-told story can move someone to volunteer, donate or share your cause with others. It shows the why behind your work, giving potential supporters a reason to care and a reason to act. When people can picture the lives changed through your organisation, they’re far more likely to want to be part of that change.
For example, the Lennox Children's Cancer Fund produced this heart warming video telling the story of one of the families they have supported through a cancer diagnosis. Being taken behind the scenes at this truly unbelievable charity allows Lennox CCF to bring their work to life, and highlight exactly why support like this is needed in communities. As part of the Neighbourly network, it also allows us to share their story with our audiences and encourage further donations of time, money or supplies to their organisation.
Once you’ve written your story, don’t let it sit in a drawer! Post it on your social media channels, share it in newsletters, and add it onto your website. You can also include it on your Neighbourly page, where businesses and supporters are actively looking for causes to back. A well-told story can lead to new partnerships, funding opportunities and valuable volunteer support.
We’re hoping to share more and more of these stories from within our network, so now is a really good time to share yours with us!
And don’t forget your existing supporters, keeping them in the loop with regular updates and success stories helps them feel part of the journey.
The key takeaway? People want to see why your cause matters—and how their support makes a real difference. So tell real stories. Keep them personal and powerful. And share them widely.
Your impact deserves to be seen and heard, and storytelling is the bridge that connects your hard work to the hearts of those who can help you continue it.
Need a hand sharing your story on Neighbourly? We’re here to help. Just drop us an email or visit our Help Centre.