Our 2024 Incubator Competition Winner – One Year On

A year ago, The Starfish Alliance won the 2024 Cinnamon Incubator Final. Founder Bryan Elliot reflects on a busy year for the charity, which trains and equips local churches to host life-changing camps and mentoring clubs for care-experienced children.

How has winning the Cinnamon Incubator Competition changed the way The Starfish Alliance operates?

Our Incubator experience marked the beginning of a significant swell of growth and momentum. We had been working for some time at expanding our funding and awareness. Honestly, by the time November of last year arrived, we were on our last ounce of energy. Many, many prayers of “God, we need just a hint that we’re on the right path” were answered that night.

How have you invested the prize money in the organisation?

Since winning the award, we have hired a part-time Church Engagement Lead. Being able to bring someone onto the team has expanded our capacity to engage prospective hosts for new camp locations. We have also been able to double the hours for our administrative position. None of this would have been possible without the support of The Cinnamon Network.

What have been your greatest achievements in the last 12 months?

In August, we hosted our second New Directors’ Training. Delegates from this event combined hands-on observation at one of our active camps with five days of classroom learning. The first Directors’ Training we held was two years ago, and we had three delegates. This last August we had 14. Not only does this equate to a total of four camps in England and Wales, but we were also able to ensure the successful transition of leadership at our existing programmes.

Has winning opened up new opportunities for you?

Absolutely. We recently received funding from a major donor who based much of their decision on seeing our presentation at the Incubator Final.

What have you gained from being part of the Cinnamon Incubator Programme?

Our network has greatly expanded as a result of the programme, for sure. That, and the topshelf mentoring calls, have—more than once— altered a pending decision or helped shape our vision. Self-proclaimed coaches and mentors are a dime a dozen, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that what

The Cinnamon Network offers is anything like that. Their assistance is real, it’s proven, and it makes success more attainable.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

After establishing two new programmes in England in 2025, we are strategically focusing on new camps in London and Scotland. We are also working on expanding our network and awareness to levels consistent with nationwide impact.

Do you have a message for those who donated to support you last year?

Your support was the key reason The Starfish Alliance and Starfish KIDS Camps have been able to move to the next level. Thank you, on behalf of our organisation and the many others you have gotten behind.

To find out more visit starfish.org.uk

Applications are now open for the 2026 Cinnamon Incubator Competition. 

Find out how you could win £20,000 and professional support to replicate your project across the UK.