As BEAM celebrates ten years, we are looking back at the people and causes that shaped our business.
Our charity story begins with one unforgettable BEAMIE, whose determination, generosity and enormous smile still inspire us today. Vicki Thomas was BEAMIE number two, Amy Middleton’s best friend and a huge part of BEAM’s early story.
Vicki was also an extraordinary fundraiser. Before she passed away in 2019, she raised more than £50,000 for Prevent Breast Cancer. She brought people together, created energy wherever she went and faced everything with a booming laugh.
Her fundraising was deeply personal. However, its impact reached far beyond the people who knew and loved her.
Vicki showed us what can happen when determination becomes action. She also set an incredibly high standard for all the BEAMIES who followed.
Since 2019, we have continued supporting Prevent Breast Cancer and remembering Vicki’s big BEAMING smile. BEAM Founder, Amy completed a half marathon in her memory and we have also supported the tremendous fundraising efforts of Vicki’s family and friends.
Nothing will ever fill the space Vicki left behind. Those were big shoes, accompanied by an even bigger laugh. However, her example helped shape how we think about our responsibilities as a business.
We wanted to keep supporting causes that mattered to our team and communities. Moreover, we wanted to offer practical help, not simply make occasional donations.
MAKING THE WORLD BEAM
In 2022, we reviewed what being a responsible Company should mean for BEAM. From that work, we developed three guiding pillars:
- Making people BEAM from ear to ear
- BEAMing a light on our environment
- Making our business BEAM with pride
These pillars cover everything from charitable support to sustainability, inclusion and creating a positive workplace.
We are a small team, but our work reaches far beyond our South Manchester office. We recruit thousands of participants and deliver hundreds of projects. We also work with clients and delivery partners across the UK and internationally.
Therefore, the decisions we make can create a much wider impact. We want that impact to be positive, thoughtful and rooted in action.
STANDING WITH MENTELL
In 2023, Mentell became our chosen charity.
Mentell provides free, confidential peer-support circles for men aged 18 and over. Its online and face-to-face groups offer men a safe space to talk without advice or judgement.
Its principles of confidentiality, safety, respect and freedom closely reflect our own values. In addition, its work has directly supported people close to our team.
Our support has included donations, awareness campaigns and practical help at fundraising events. Give Opinions participants have played their part too. Through our Funds for Feedback initiative, completed feedback surveys generated donations from BEAM to Mentell.
That connection feels especially important to us. Listening sits at the heart of research, but it matters just as much outside fieldwork. Sometimes, giving somebody the space to speak can make a profound difference.
TURNING SUPPORT INTO ACTION
Our BEAMIES helped deliver Mentell’s first charity dinner and disco in 2023. From room dressing and table plans to auction prizes and raffle tickets, the team got stuck in.
The event raised more than £15,000 and helped share powerful stories from men who had experienced Mentell’s support first-hand.
Since then, we have continued supporting Mentell’s fundraising events. For the 2026 Thunder Ball, members of our team helped organise and deliver an evening inspired by James Bond’s Thunderball.
BEAMIES have also volunteered alongside the Mentell team at Y Not Festival in Derbyshire. Manning the charity’s stand gave us the opportunity to speak directly with festivalgoers and raise awareness of men’s mental health.
Festival conversations may feel very different from formal charity events. However, they can reach people in a relaxed setting where an unexpected chat might encourage someone to seek support.
2025 PRIME-TIME VIEWING
On 13 November 2025, BEAM went prime-time with appearance on BBC One’s North West Tonight.
BEAM and Give Opinions joined weather presenter Kay Crewdson for her ’24-hour Reformathon’ in aid of BBC Children in Need. Kay completed 25 consecutive Reformer Pilates sessions, with around 175 people taking part across the challenge.
And, Pat’s bottom also secured at least 10,000 smiles taking centre stage for a surprisingly generous portion of the 6pm broadcast. Charity, community and prime-time television, it was a fittingly memorable way to mark our ninth year of fundraising.
A DECADE OF SMILES
Our charity work has changed over BEAM’s first decade, but the thinking behind it has remained consistent.
It is about showing up. It means giving time, sharing skills, raising awareness and helping good people do more of their important work.
Vicki showed us how one person’s determination could inspire an entire community. Today, her spirit continues through our charity support and through the values guiding our work with Mentell.
As we celebrate ten years of BEAM, we remember the people who helped shape us. We also thank every BEAMIE, participant, client, friend and partner who has supported these efforts.
There is always more to do. However, we will keep finding ways to make people BEAM, support our communities and use our business as a force for good.