April has been another landmark month for GB Shared, with our founder taking the message of sharing, collaboration and place‑based impact from local communities to national stages and into Europe.

Taking Sharing to Europe: Budapest and Beyond

The month began in Budapest, Hungary, where the GB Shared model was explored with partners from eight European countries as part of ongoing collaboration discussions. What began as a conversation about good business practice quickly evolved into something deeper: how structured, large‑scale sharing can be used as a practical tool to address complex social, economic and environmental challenges across regions and borders.

Discussions covered how local supply chains, social value, sustainability and fair access to opportunity can be embedded into digital infrastructure — not as policy theory, but as lived practice. The visit concluded with an invitation to collaborate on a future Horizon Europe bid, focused on tackling complex, large‑scale societal challenges using place‑based and people‑centred approaches. It marks another step in positioning GB Shared as a model with relevance far beyond the UK.

Back Home: Celebrating Social Impact with No Whispers CIC

Returning to Lancashire, the focus shifted firmly back to community. Our founder was delighted to join No Whispers CIC, valued Lancashare members, to celebrate their fifth birthday and recognise their vital work tackling child sexual exploitation and raising awareness to help keep children and young people safe.

No Whispers CIC exemplifies what sharing looks like in practice: collaboration, prevention, education and support. Their work saves lives and strengthens communities, and we are proud to have them as part of the GB Shared ecosystem.

A reminder to members: support for organisations like No Whispers — whether through volunteering, fundraising or donations — can be formally acknowledged on the platform with a Green Point, recognising and evidencing your social value contribution.

Expanding the Network: Cheshare Launches on Cheshire Day

April also marked an exciting moment for regional growth with the official launch of Cheshare on Cheshire Day 2026, hosted at the stunning Crabwall Manor Hotel and Spa.

The event welcomed Cheshire businesses into the sharing movement, alongside guest speakers from Innovate UK and Manchester Metropolitan University. The launch marked Cheshire’s official step into place‑based collaboration — building stronger local supply chains, encouraging responsible business, and connecting organisations who want to do business differently.

Cheshare now joins the growing family of county platforms demonstrating that sharing works best when rooted in place, relationships and real local needs.

Connecting People and Possibilities: Manchester’s Business Catalyst

April concluded in Manchester at The Business Catalyst, bringing together over 100 professionals from across the Northwest. The afternoon focused on connection, conversation and collaboration — exactly the environment where sharing thrives.

Businesses, charities and professionals explored opportunities to work together, exchange ideas and build relationships that extend beyond transactional networking. It was a powerful reminder that when people are given the space to connect meaningfully, collaboration follows naturally.

With a founder birthday and two bank holidays ahead in May, we’re taking a short breath before the next wave of activity — and looking forward to seeing what the coming month of sharing brings.

From European collaboration to grassroots impact, April has shown once again that sharing isn’t just an idea — it’s happening, and it’s growing.