A collection of cream envelopes. Photo: By Diana Light on Unsplash.
To the letters: Elinor Smallman on a change at the Friend
‘It’s time to announce a significant change we’re making.’
The Friend team has been moved by our readers’ support in the wake of the news (27 September) that we are facing an uncertain future.
The uplifting messages you’ve sent, the donations you’ve made, and the take-up of our new Supporter subscription rate – it all means the world to us. Thank you so much!
We’ve been doing our part behind the scenes, and it’s time to announce a significant change we’re making. This year we will be partnering with Warners Group Publications to provide subscription services.
Warners may ring a bell, as Warners Midlands has printed and distributed the Friend since 2017. It is a family company based in Bourne, and its team has become a much-valued part of the Friend family. Warners Group Publications, established in 1987 by a member of the same family, is a separate company but with a close relationship and the same values. Due diligence has been done and we can assure you that your personal data is in safe hands. Warners is audited annually and maintains the highest industry security standards. You can read more about how The Friend Publications Ltd uses your data in our privacy policy: https://thefriend.org/page/privacy-full.
‘Please be patient.’
Before I go further, I want to share the discernment that led to this decision. The team has recently gone through a redundancy consultation, and will be losing two members of staff. This is incredibly difficult for a small company; we’re a close bunch. Unfortunately, the need to safeguard the magazine has made such decisions a necessity. We have faith that what we’re going through will bear fruit.
By moving to Warners we will be able to provide you with a more comprehensive service for nearly half the cost of employing one person. We’ll have access to a team of friendly, experienced people who have established infrastructure in place. A couple of examples: the phone lines are staffed from 8:30-18:00 Monday to Friday, and from 9:00–17:00 on Saturdays. We will be able to meet the demand for email renewal letters. If you have an email address in your contact information, your first renewal letter will be sent electronically, saving postage and reducing the impact of postal delays. Direct Debits will move from a paper system to an electronic one, which will save staff time and minimise the scope for human error.
Being able to offer you this level of service, at such a saving, will be key to us finding a firm financial footing.
This month will be an overlap period, as Warners sets us up. By 1 February the transfer will be complete, so when you contact subscriptions you will reach the Warners team. Although we will be explaining Quakerism to them, Warners staff aren’t Friends, so please be patient and welcoming as they learn our ways!
This is a hopeful and exciting step for the company, but a challenging one for our small team. I would be very grateful if you could hold us in the Light.
