#3 The Washing Machine Project

May 2021

May was certainly a full month - in more ways than one! We have been very busy but also overwhelmed by the support we have received.

With our 30-machine pilot to Masharam Refugee Camp drawing nearer, our design for the ‘Divya 2’ has made massive progress and we can’t wait to do our final tests on the prototype so we can begin manufacturing as a team. On that, we have been contacting and going out to loads of different suppliers around the UK to help fulfil our manufacturing - it’s all coming together! It is invaluable for us to see this idea come to fruition and even better to know we have been able to improve our design based on user feedback; real human data. This is incredibly important to us. As an organisation that began with two people sitting and chatting at the end of the day, listening to people has remained at the heart of what we do. 

Talking of listening - we had several BBC Radio appearances over the month of May, including our second appearance on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. We first spoke to Louise Hulland on BBC Breakfast back in July of last year and so it was a unique opportunity to be able to update her on the progress we’ve made. From a global partnership launch, to reaching out to 10 different countries all around the world and making connections with the communities and individuals that inspire our design, our small, international team is making big moves. 

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire | TWMP in conversation with Louise Hulland

Another source of inspiration, though in a very different way, has been the Santander X Entrepreneurship Programme. With advice on networking and how to start a social enterprise, it’s right up our street and has already given us lots to take forward as we grow and develop. We also attended a workshop on sales and marketing put on by SETsquared Bath, yet another event full of brilliant insights and great fun at the same time! Opportunities like these will never grow old. 

Fun fact - I also took the opportunity to learn to swim over May. Who says you can’t balance your work and personal life. Besides, for us at TWMP, work is personal because people are at the centre of it all.