We’re not
just a business, we’re a force for positive change.
As a Community Interest Company (CIC), our purpose is clear: Channel the power of creativity and innovation towards benefiting our community, not private shareholders.
Unique Community First Business Model
What do we want to do?
Discover needs, explore opportunities, collect local knowledge and make connections with like minded organisations.
Develop an online community hub, promote businesses, jobs, discounts, events, classifieds & competitions.
We encourage using local services & buying in town instead of online. Promoting cottage industries, UK manufacturing making a come back, sustainability & creativity.
Empowering Our Community
At Etchr CIC, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for young people and families in our community. Our vision includes:
- Making exciting activities accessible to all
- Subsidising existing clubs to broaden participation
- Organising educational, sporting, and creative events
- Developing pop-up projects for all ages
We believe in the power of community-driven initiatives. By becoming a Community Interest Company, we’re not just relying on external funding – we’re creating our own sustainable model to support these vital programs.
Our Impact So Far
In just a short time, Etchr CIC has already made significant strides:
- Provided ongoing tech support to local charities
- Helped launch 3 small businesses with technology and practical assistance
- Grown the ‘Cirencester Community Hub’ on Facebook to over 3,000 members
We’re now gearing up to take our community engagement to the next level. Our upcoming services will benefit local businesses, serve the community, and promote our town and villages to both residents and visitors. Join us in building a stronger, more connected community. Your support can help turn these ideas into reality!
Our Friends and Supporters
Empowering Community, Nurturing Creativity, Igniting Change
Making a vision become a reality will take resources. We create our own resources by providing services for our community.
A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a type of social enterprise that operates to benefit the community rather than private shareholders, reinvesting profits into social projects and initiatives.
Creativity
Creativity is the foundation of innovation and personal expression. We encourage everyone to explore their creative potential through a variety of activities and experiences.
Technology
We advocate for responsible use of technology, emphasising open-source solutions. This approach fosters collaboration and innovation while benefiting the community and the environment.
Education
Education is essential for growth and development. We support educators by providing engaging, hands-on learning opportunities that inspire and empower students.
Empowerment
Etchr is dedicated to empowering the community through creativity, education, and technology. We prioritise social impact, reinvesting profits into meaningful initiatives and projects.
How are we going to finance our projects?
Introducing Project ASTU
We have created an online platform to promote Cirencester and the beautiful Cotswold villages and lakes. We encourage tourism as well as community. Astu can provide incredibly useful services to everyone using the local knowledge of our community.
Spotlighting Business
Accessibility
Events Calendar
Local Jobs
Classified Ads
Amenities Locator
Reviews
Discounts
Competitions
Social Media
Connecting Your Business with Your Community
As a local business, keeping up with marketing on different social media platforms can be challenging. Your promotions can easily get lost in the thousands of posts your potential customers see every day…
…when locals find out about your events, it’s often too late, which isn’t good for your business.
Thankfully, Cirencester’s community is always interested in supporting local businesses.
With Atsu, locals can stay updated with your business and what you’re offering. By using Atsu, you can boost your impact in the Cirencester community and watch your business grow.
Etchr for Businesses and Charities
Etchr connects Cirencester’s community with local businesses and charities through promotion and technical support.
With our main project, Astu, we help you get the word out by promoting your events, jobs, products and services to the Ciren community.
Etchr for the Community
The Astu project provides a safe place to get up to date information, buy and sell with the Classified Ads, look for local jobs, find out about local events.
AND fun competitions, member discounts and family fun. This is just a start!
We want YOU to choose the direction we go in. We are trying to make a profit and as a CIC, we reinvest our profits back into the community with a variety of projects.
Our Mission
Etchr connects Cirencester’s community with local businesses and charities through promotion and tech support. With our main project, Astu, we help you get the word out by promoting your events, jobs, products and services to the Ciren community. As a CIC, we reinvest our profits back into the community with a variety of projects.
We have already supported several individuals, businesses and charities
Yet this is just the start. We have been working together and with charities and build our platform, now we’re close to rolling it out to the people, letting the businesses know what we’re doing. This is where the hard work begins and it will mean getting the work out and the community getting behind us.
We’re a Team of Local People who want the best for our Community… Then to Share with Others
We have an ambition to bring together communities with creativity, open technologies and education. Giving each community the tools to become prosperous in their own right.
The
Cirencester Community Hub on Facebook
2024
Year Founded
2900+
Current Members
6000
Visits each Month
Testimonials
”
Etchr have gotten us Google Workspace for charities, set our email us, fixed our website and continue to provide tech support saving us thousands
Rebecca Cotton
Fund Raising Manager
Cirencester Housing for Young People (CHYP)
Support Etchr, Use Astu Community
We are not relaying on funding, we’re providing useful services, paying our taxes like any other limited company – but our profits go to help your families and friends. It really is a win win.
Connect to other businesses
We love collaboration and Etchr make a point to introduce charities, businesses and individuals.
We are also setting up cottage industries
We like to design and make sustainable products. The united Kingdom needs manufacturing.
Fun and Educational Pop-Ups
Another Etchr initiative is to start pop-up workshops and maker spaces. We can make it happen!