Client Feedback, Patrick Weaver (NSPCC Head of Fundraising – Community Supporters)

The NSPCC embarked upon its first venture in video games and esports in 2023/24, exploring the opportunity to engage and raise money from a new audience of supporters. In Autumn 2023 NSPCC shared an RFP to deliver the NSPCC’s first esports tournament, with 5 external suppliers, to see who would best be able to meet the needs of the charity, which included ‘delivering the safest esports tournament in market’.

Values alignment – by the way in which the team operated, undertaking safeguarding training and consulting us on their own safeguarding policies and procedures – they clearly were serious about putting children first. Further, they spoke publicly about how the experience with NSPCC has improved their knowledge of safeguarding and will improve their practice moving forwards.

Integrity – the team set themselves ambitious KPI’s on the outset of the project and kept a keen eye on these and their ability to meet or exceed them, and were transparent about their performance and requirements to do so. Their performance went above and beyond where they identified opportunities to do more, and this remained through to contract completion (and a little beyond also).

Creativity – throughout the project, new ideas were formed and creative solutions found to complex problems. They were forthcoming with ideas and opportunities to achieve the best for children – and post event, were keen to recommend what could happen next, demonstrating their desire to see long term rewards from our investment.

Communication – this was always forthcoming, proactive and transparent. They introduced us to use of Discord (quite a major undertaking for us) but put us at ease by navigating safeguards around the sharing of data, moderation, security access and more, by using it as the main tool to communicate, but also met us in person to build relationships, and picked up the phone to resolve issues.

Expertise, energy, enthusiasm and good humour – beyond the planning stages of event delivery, we were unaware of the undertaking of the major event execution itself. The team quickly fell into their tried and tested roles and responsibilities, guiding us through with care and diligence. The level of technical expertise and sector knowledge is second to none – but there was time to educate, explain, adapt and respond. They work hard – and they play hard, and both were an absolute pleasure.

Altruism and generosity – at no point did we feel like ‘another client’. Every member of EPIC.LAN, NSE and SAF bought into the needs and objectives of the charity and this was reflected in the level of time, skill and expertise gifted to the cause beyond that detailed in the contract. This just speaks to the quality of the people involved.”