Thank you, Trago Lounge!
Touch intern Cheryl looks back at our friendship with this wonderfully supportive Southampton cafe
We recently held our 82nd Storytelling Event at Trago Lounge in Portswood and it was quite magical, for a number of reasons!
The venue has become something of a second home to our team over the years: with some of us regularly popping in for breakfast and a boardgame with our families; and co-working occurring quite often over a coffee and pancakes, as we stop by after visiting the office. As Debs said in her blog “Thank You Team Trago”, the lovely staff really feel like friends – making us smile, having a chat and supporting us so much during the last few years.
They really have gone the extra mile (literally) to raise money for us, and we can’t thank them enough! A few years ago, Trago made Touch their chosen LoungeAid charity – coordinating a fundraising campaign of impressive proportions. During those months, they ran an assortment of fundraising activities for us, including a day-long challenge (between 7 AM and 11 PM) to walk over 60 miles on two treadmills they had moved into the venue!
They raised more than £1000 for our organisation, and we were so grateful for all the hard work and attention they gave us.
But they just kept giving!
Since then, they have made us their LoungeAid charity again this year around the time of our Walk With Us event, where, not only did they hold a raffle and sell handmade jewellery for us, but they brought us free coffee on the day of our 7-mile walk around Southampton. This shows the true style of Trago: a caring, friendly team who go above and beyond to create a sense of community. It was so sweet and so appreciated on that long hot day.
Trago team members holding dandelions after bringing us free coffee
So, returning for our storytelling event in the middle of sunny July felt like going home, being around friends and enjoying a relaxing evening in great company. The space provided to us in the courtyard was stunning in the early evening: ambient lighting, warm sunshine and plenty of plants. There were even comments that it would make a beautiful space for an intimate wedding – it felt so inviting.
As it was an outside area, we made use of our silent disco headsets to ensure everyone could be heard clearly, which worked perfectly to create that feeling of connectedness to each other. The headphones helped provide a sense that this was our time and our space and the rest of the world melted away while we listened to the inspiring stories from our speakers.
The beautiful setup in the Trago courtyard
The Trago staff, of course (as always!), were incredibly helpful and attentive to us and our guests. They even surprised us by giving £1 for every drink sold at our event to our fundraising total. Combined with all the money they had collected from jewellery sales and donations jar, they raised more than £339 for us. We were proud to present Jamie, the manager of Trago, with Touch window stickers and badges for all their team, as we thanked them all for the kindness and support they have shown us over the years.
To have the opportunity to work with such an energetic, positive team on a regular basis has given Touch Network the space to thrive in the local community.
So thank you, Trago.
Our team hydrate on a hot evening!
