At Sponge, community is at the heart of everything we do. As a business deeply rooted in Norfolk, we’re passionate about giving back to the people and places that support us.
Corporate Volunteers of the year
This year, we were honoured to be named Corporate Volunteers of the Year by the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Supporting this incredible institution has been a tradition for us over the past 5 years. Throughout the year and every Christmas, we ensure that their hardworking staff and every child in the children’s ward wake up to a special cake on Christmas Day. It’s a gesture of support and thanks from us to be able to bring a small sense of comfort and celebration during the festive season.
Inspiring Gresham’s Students with Real-World Business Insights
We recently had the pleasure of hosting two Year 13 BTEC Business classes from Gresham’s School, welcoming them to Sponge to learn about our marketing and production functions. The visits were led by Mark Joll (Co-owner) and Natalie Douglas (Marketing Director).
After an introduction to Sponge’s history, Mark and Natalie walked the students through our marketing aims, detailed a SWOT analysis, and explored the 4Ps of marketing. These insights were particularly timely for the students, who are preparing for their external Marketing exam early next year. Our real-world examples aligned closely with their curriculum, helping them see how marketing theories are applied in practice.
The students also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of our state-of-the-art production facilities, seeing firsthand how cakes and brownies are crafted, packed, and dispatched. They were amazed by the scale and efficiency of the operation and left with a newfound appreciation for the business side of baking. The highlight of the visit? A box of freshly baked brownies for each student, customized with a Gresham’s-branded box!
We’re thrilled to have been part of their learning journey and wish them every success in their upcoming exams. You can read more about the visit on Greshams website: https://www.greshams.com/btec-...
Partnering with Local Businesses
When Finisterre in Holt celebrated their first birthday, we were delighted to help make the day special. Every customer who visited the store received a Sponge cake to mark the occasion. Collaborating with local businesses like Finisterre is an integral part of our mission to support our community, and we’re always excited to contribute to their success.
We also recently had the pleasure of collaborating with our friends at Norfolk Uncovered, a fantastic organisation dedicated to supporting the local business community and showcasing all that Norfolk has to offer.
At their recent business event, we were able to provide our signature Baby Sponges for every attendee’s goodie bag. These bite-sized delights were the perfect treat to complement an inspiring evening of networking, learning, and connecting. The event brought together over 60 passionate local business owners.
Our community work isn’t just about giving back, it’s about staying connected. Recently, we hit the streets of Holt for a tasting exercise, sharing our cakes with local customers and gathering their feedback and ensures we stay attuned to what our customers love and helps us keep improving.
We also believe that the magic of the season starts from within, so we made sure to spread some festive cheer right here at the bakery. This year, we went all out and transformed part of our space into a cosy Christmas grotto for our team and their families. We even had a very special visitor, the real Santa himself! He stopped by to meet our team and their children with every child had the chance to meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and leave with a gift (and some cake, of course!). Santa couldn’t resist sampling our treats, and while mince pies might not be his thing, he’s a big fan of our Baby Sponges.
We’re proud to be a part of Norfolk’s vibrant community and grateful for every opportunity to give back, share knowledge, and celebrate the people who inspire us.