Our Charity Partnership with Cardboard Citizens

Image: A Cardboard Citizens workshop, 2024. Photographer: Can Mehmethanoglu.

At HdK, we believe in using business as a force for good. It’s one of the reasons we became a certified B Corp. As an agency embedded in the arts, culture and heritage sectors, we recognise there are many arts organisations that create positive social impact. And recently we chose Cardboard Citizens as our new charity partner.

We’ve had the privilege of working with many brilliant clients over the years, and choosing just one to support more formally wasn’t easy. But in choosing Cardboard Citizens, there were plenty of reasons why we wanted to choose them — not just because of what they do, but because of how closely they’re connected to our community.

They’re literally our neighbours — based in the same building as us here in Hoxton. But more than that, they’re a theatre company that works with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Through creativity and performance, they bring visibility, dignity and empowerment to people whose voices often go unheard.

Cardboard Citizens has been making theatre with and for people experiencing homelessness for over 30 years. They use the arts — particularly storytelling and performance — to foster understanding, challenge perceptions, and inspire change.

What makes them unique is their commitment to co-authorship. Their work isn’t just about people affected by homelessness; it’s made with them. Whether it’s through workshops, outreach residencies or professional productions, they give people a platform to express themselves and take part in shaping society’s understanding of housing inequality and social justice.

We were moved by the stories presented to us at recent events held at Hoxton Hall – our shared landlord.

So far, we’ve been supporting Cardboard Citizens with Pro Bono and discounted services, including digital support for their campaigns and website. But this partnership is about more than donations — it’s about sharing our skills to help them amplify their work.

But we also want to go further, and this is where our clients can play a part too.

From now on, whenever we complete a piece of work, we’ll ask you to fill in our short feedback form. It includes a Net Promoter Score (NPS) question — a simple “How likely are you to recommend us?”

For every response we receive, we’ll donate £25 to Cardboard Citizens’ Big Give campaign later this year.

We want to stress: your score has no bearing on the donation. Whether your feedback is glowing or constructive, we’ll still make the contribution. Honest responses help us improve — and every reply helps Cardboard Citizens keep doing their important work.

If you’re using our support desk, you’ll get a link to the feedback form. Other times, we might send you a specific email request at the end of a campaign or project.

When you see the link, add your feedback. It should only take a few seconds if you’re in a hurry.

At HdK, we talk a lot about values — being culture-led, community-rooted, and designing for impact. Supporting Cardboard Citizens is one way we can put those values into action.

If you’d like to learn more about their work, we encourage you to visit cardboardcitizens.org.uk and see the difference they’re making.

And thank you — by working with us, you’re also helping support a powerful, creative voice for change in our shared community.