Echo

Echo is an Economy of Hours: a marketplace without the money. Echo brings together local people and local organisations – including startups and sole traders, established businesses and not-for-profits – to create a community-wide economy of hours where members buy and sell their skills, services and resources they have for those that they need, using a currency called 'Echoes'.

About the project

The Digital Skills work-insight project involed working with Echo to maximise the impact and reach of 'The Match', a scheme Echo established during the Covid-19 pandemic, in partnership with Loughborough University London. The Match connects furloughed workers with small businesses and charities, for targeted skills-based volunteering. Selsabil's focus was around improving the online presence of The Match in order to recruit more participants, and increase our reach and impact.

Selsabil, MSc Security, Peace-building and Diplomacy student

"Working with Sarah at Echo's 'The Match' programme has been brilliant. As a communications volunteer, I was involved in several key areas such as planning, analysis, and strategy. I have built upon my skills and experiences I developed throughout my MSc to contribute to Echo's brand voice and communication strategy. I also had the opportunity to develop newer skills such as a data analysis, audience mapping, and skills matching. I used LinkedIn Learning’s online courses, provided to me by Loughborough University London, to supplement my knowledge and application to the tasks during my placement at 'The Match'. This breadth of experience would not have been possible without the support of Sarah, who welcomed my skills and aspirations into the team. It has been a privilege to contribute to Echo through the Digital Skills programme, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to everybody on the Digital Skills team."