Community Interest Company · North Northamptonshire
We create practical community projects that help people connect, build confidence, develop skills and take a more active role in their local community.
Corby · Kettering · Wellingborough
Small changes can create a big shift.
About us
The SHIFTin CIC is a Community Interest Company based in North Northamptonshire. We were created to help reduce social isolation, strengthen community connections and create practical opportunities for people who may feel disconnected, overlooked or unsure where to turn next.
We believe people often do not need another complicated service. Sometimes they need a place to meet others, someone who will listen, an opportunity to take part, a chance to build confidence or simply a first step in the right direction.
Our work brings together community engagement, wellbeing, employability, family activities, sport, culture and social connection. We listen to local people, identify barriers and develop projects that respond to real community needs.
Not for profit. Any surplus generated through our work is reinvested into projects and activities that benefit the community.
Our pillars
We create opportunities for people to meet, participate and build genuine relationships.
Community events, consultations, volunteering, social activities and local projects help people feel that they belong.
We create safe, non-clinical spaces where people can talk, connect and support one another.
Our role is not to replace professional mental health services. We focus on prevention, social connection, peer support and signposting where further help may be needed.
We help people build confidence, practical skills and routes towards employment, volunteering and personal development.
We are particularly interested in creating opportunities for young adults who may need a first step into work.
We believe communities should help shape the projects and services that affect them.
Through surveys, focus groups, consultations and informal conversations, we listen first and create projects around what people tell us they actually need.
What we do
Our work happens in the community, face to face.
We organise activities and projects that bring people together and help reduce social isolation.
We create non-clinical wellbeing initiatives where people can meet in a relaxed environment, talk openly and build supportive relationships.
We help young adults develop practical skills and confidence for employment.
We use sport and shared activities to help families spend meaningful time together. Our projects focus on participation rather than competition.
We celebrate the different cultures, stories and traditions that make up our communities.
Our projects
Family & Sport
A friendly football project where parents and carers participate together with their children. The focus is not competitive football or formal coaching.
The aim is to create:
Parents take part rather than watching from the side.
Participation
We believe good community projects should begin with listening. The SHIFTin CIC carries out surveys, focus groups and community consultations to understand local priorities and identify barriers.
Our Community Voices work has included engagement with Polish and Eastern European residents across Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.
We use this evidence to develop projects, build partnerships and help communities have a stronger voice.
Our approach
We talk to local people and understand what is really happening in the community.
We bring together residents, organisations, businesses and opportunities.
We develop practical projects around identified needs.
We help people build confidence, relationships, skills and opportunities.
Our community
We do not want to assume what people need. We ask.
We use community consultations, surveys, focus groups and conversations to understand people's experiences. This allows us to design projects based on evidence rather than assumptions.
We also want local residents to help shape how projects develop.
The SHIFTin CIC is based in North Northamptonshire. Our main areas of activity currently include:
We are open to developing partnerships and projects in other areas where there is a clear community need.
Our team
The SHIFTin CIC is led by people with practical experience in community engagement, events, business, wellbeing and working with local communities.
Director / Co-Founder
Paweł has many years of experience in creating community events and initiatives that bring people together.
His work focuses on community engagement, partnerships, employability, events and developing practical ideas that can create opportunities for local people.
He believes that even relatively small community interventions can create meaningful change when they help somebody connect, participate or move forward.
Gallery
Real people. Real conversations. Real community.
Get involved
There are different ways to become part of The SHIFTin.
Take part in one of our community activities, groups or events.
Ask about projectsHelp us deliver activities, support participants, organise events or develop new community projects. Skills are useful, but willingness to help matters too.
Become a volunteerDo you see something missing in your community? Tell us. Some of our best projects can begin with a simple conversation.
Tell us your ideaWe welcome partnerships with businesses, charities, community organisations, schools, councils, employers, venues and funders. Together we can reach more people and create stronger projects.
Talk about partnershipBusinesses can help create local impact. We are interested in partnerships where businesses can see the direct community impact of their contribution.
Support our workLocal companies can support The SHIFTin through:
Impact
We want to understand whether our projects make a difference. We measure outcomes such as:
responses in the core analysis of our first Community Voices consultation, from residents connected with Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.
Groundwork Northamptonshire 
Made with Many Contact
Want to take part, volunteer, partner with us or share an idea for your community? Send us a message, we would love to hear from you.