Every business has a story worth telling

Using storytelling to build pride and connection in local economies

As a specialist in community engagement principles and approaches, we know how powerful storytelling can be – not just to tell the tale itself, but to build up deep connections and establish pride too. We have taken this approach to content writing in some recent work with our friends at Invest in Huntingdonshire (IIH) – the economic development arm of Huntingdonshire District Council.

A key focus for the team is to support local businesses with opportunities for growth and development within the District. But in most cases, this behind-the-scenes focus and incredible impact was not shared more widely.

Invest in Huntingdonshire wanted to shine a light on the incredible breadth and impact made by local businesses, predominately as inspiration for businesses based across the district as a whole,but also to showcase how IIH might also be able to help others.

Over the last 12 months, we’ve worked closely with the IIH team, and the businesses they support, to build case study articles and a social media campaign that proactively and positively tells these incredible business stories.

Made in Huntingdonshire: What’s your story?

Eight businesses from a broad range of sectors and locations were featured in the “Made in Huntingdonshire” campaign.

Twisters Gymnastics Club: From mobile classes to a thriving community hub

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Glebe Farm: Currently the only farm in the UK growing and processing gluten-free oats into porridge flakes, oat flour and their award-winning oat drink range, PureOaty

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East Anglia Energy Academy: Recently established, in partnership with Reed Environment, a new centre in St Ives for delivering their training initiatives

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AC Composites: Innovation and Growth in Advanced Manufacturing

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T H Branson & Son – Cowpasture Farm: A beacon of sustainable farming practices and social regeneration.

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Paragraf: Today,  the only company in the world with the capability of mass-producing graphene-based electronic devices using standard semi-conductors processes.

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ACE Technology: Proudly carrying the legacy of composite manufacturing in Huntingdonshire

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Cambridge Support: A multi-award winning IT Services company based in St Neots

The next phase of our storytelling campaign will see us work closely with businesses that have been accepted as recipients of Rural Prosperity Grants. In one-to-one conversations with 10 businesses, we’ll find out how each business plans to utilise the funding and discover the likely impact it will make – before sharing the stories more widely through IIH’s digital channels.

HDC Showcase: Pride In Place event, Thursday 14 November 2024

This example of our work featured at the HDC Showcase: Pride in Place event that took place on the 14th November 2024. where Keystone is proud to be exhibiting. The showcase event was designed to celebrate the District’s diversity of place and bustling visitor economy, and also highlight what Huntingdonshire can offer to support growth and encourage new investment opportunities. Partners from across the country also shared expert insight on how to further boost the District’s offering through a variety of sessions. We were excited to be part of the event and a proud exhibitor in the “Farmer’s Market” style stall area, designed to showcase some of the outstanding businesses and destinations that Huntingdonshire has to offer.