Blume connects freelancers who are typically over the age of 50 with charities who need flexible, high-quality and experienced support.
For Charities, Blume gives access to a vast array of experienced, talented, vetted freelancers and a platform which enables you to hire and pay them professionally and seamlessly. In addition to reading about what our Blumers have done and reviews of their work, you have the confidence of knowing that we have verified their name, address and bank details. In addition our Recommended Blumers have all been interviewed by us and had references taken. You can find the support you need by searching for what you want, by browsing our list of Blumers, by posting a task, or by contacting us directly.
For Freelancers, Blume gives you an opportunity to make use of your skills and experience in a way that suits you. You can choose when you work, how much you charge and who you work with. Through our networks, marketing and partnerships we bring customers to you and provide you with a platform to handle payments, communication and disputes (on the rare occasion that they arise).
We are strongly mission-driven and values-led and are applying for B-Corps status which will certify that we have embedded our mission and values into the way we operate.
If you are interested in governance – and why, for example, we have chosen not to be a social enterprise or a charity - you can read more about our decision in our blog post.
We started Blume in response to two trends.
First, we have an ageing population but not an ageing workforce. The chances of being employed decrease markedly for people over the age of fifty even though we are living longer, healthier lives than ever before.
This is bad for health and wellbeing - working is good for all of us - but it is also bad for the economy which loses out on the skills, experiences and enthusiasm of older workers.
Secondly, the growth of the (responsible) gig economy makes it easier for people to find work that suits their lifestyles and interests. It also makes it easier for employers to find the talent they want when they need it.
We work primarily with Charities because our Blumers like working with them and so do we. There is also a capacity gap – many small to medium sized charities do not have the resources to employ fulltime copywriters, accountants, fundraisers or HR managers who have the levels of skills and experience that our Blumers have.
We are very keen on collaborating so please get in touch if you can think of ways we can work together.
We are a trusted supplier to:
Alexander co-founded RSe Consulting which worked for more than 200 Local Authorities before being acquired by Tribal Group. He has more than twenty years experience in a variety of Trustee roles for Create Streets Foundation, Fight for Peace, the Young Foundation and Borough Market. He has written two books on public sector management and appeared (unsuccessfully) on Countdown.
Edward has twenty years of experience as a software developer and has spent over a fifteen years at the helm of his successful public and private sector consultancy. His apps have graced hundreds of thousands of mobiles. He hasn’t written any books. Yet.
As a start-up ourselves we practice what we preach and get regular support from a number of Blumers including:
For more information please read our FAQs.
