Supporting Leapers.
It's free. But support is essential.
I’ve been running Leapers in various forms since 2017, and in that time, we’ve supported over 250,000 freelancers (although the number is more likely to be 350k+, based upon where our work has been distributed, its almost impossible to track other than our owned channels).
Originally it was a community space.
That developed in to content curation and creation.
That developed further into research and advocacy.
And lots of work knocking on doors to try and have conversations.
I’ve never asked for a penny - and whilst a few generous people bought me coffees, and volunteered their priceless time to support the project, there’s never been a revenue model to support the work.
Today, things are very different.
Cost of living is out of control.
My costs of running the project, and supporting a family, whilst being self-employed don’t allow me to do as much as I want or need.
The annual research project alone costs somewhere in the region of £15k to operate every year, made up of hard and soft costs.
Leapers is not a charity - but I do this because it’s important, so if someone wants to pay me to do this as part of my day job, then I’m 100% here for that.
My goal is to find a number of commercial partners, who see the value in the project, and fund it - via sponsorship, funding research, or simply paying for some of our time and resources.
Funded Actions
We’ve built a menu for organisations who want to support the project, and support their freelancers, in return for a small financial contribution towards Leapers.
Article - let's introduce the importance of mental health to your community with some practical tips and signposting to support.
Workshop/Webinar - let's introduce the importance of mental health to your audience with some practical tips and signposting to support, and host a Q&A on the topic for your community.
Content Pack - a series of articles going deeper into the key challenges, and useful tips for maintaining mental health as a freelancer.
Freelancer Wellbeing Hub - provide a destination for your freelancers and close the 70% gap in freelancers who don't know where to find support for their mental health. Resources, guides and signposting, updated monthly, and branded as your business.
Community Support - provide access to a community space for your freelancers. Peer-support, community events, resources and connection. Easy to communicate with your freelance alumni, and proven to decrease talent costs.
Research Partner - co-fund our annual research project, or commission an interim report on a sub-topic, which you're keen to understand in depth. Join as a headline partner, or let us support you on your own project.
Freelance Friendly Audit - review your working practises, gather insights from your freelancers, and identify areas of improvement - to improve productivity, talent retention and brand reputation; and to better support your freelancers.
Just because - you can also become a partner without expectation in return, and we’ll say thank you in so many ways, including your presence on our supporters page.
Something unique - or of course, if you’re looking for something unique, perhaps consulting on how to work effectively with freelancers, or time with your organisation to do even more - we can work that way too.
Our research shows that poorly supported freelancers cost businesses £1000s per project. So every penny invested is many pennies saved.
If you’d like to support your freelancers, and support the Leapers project - get in touch, and we’ll help you and your freelancers out.
If you’re a freelancer
If you believe in what we’re doing, and want to see it continue to exist - I’m considering opening paid subscriptions as a form of contribution and support, if enough people pledge.
Freelancers could consider putting a fraction of their next invoice towards the project, or a single annual payment to support the work.
You can also support the project by introducing us to your clients, to Freelance Friendly businesses who want to do more, or to organisations who sell to freelancers.