The Croft CIC Corporate Profile

Who We Are?

A national community company combining decades of human experience with clever digital tools.

What We Do?

We use data, research, and technology to connect disconnected communities and improve local services.

Our Community Heart

Providing local non-place spaces and resources for connection, learning, and local cultural expression.

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Our Story

Socio-Digital Infrastructure Background

Socio-Digital Infrastructure

The Croft CIC operates at the intersection of community regeneration and digital inclusion. We are a specialized consultancy engineering zero-footprint infrastructure that bridges the gap between civic investment and marginalized, hard-to-reach demographics.

By bringing technology directly into familiar, culturally resonant environments, we bypass traditional, intimidating support models—empowering people at 'Civic Speed'.

Data Sovereignty

Zero-Harvest Integration

Traditional digital support can inadvertently trigger a "Fear Of Being Included" (FOBI) within vulnerable populations. We eliminate this friction. Our operational framework is a holistic, circular economy of skills, inclusion, and data sovereignty.

We deploy proprietary "phygital" architectures to ensure that no community is left behind in the digital transition.

Our Ecosystem

C:DRIVE & UP:LINK

C:DRIVE & UP:LINK

We deploy hyper-local mesh networks and modular hardware directly into trusted "Third Spaces"—from village halls to local cafes—instead of sterile tech centers.

The Imagination Engine

The Imagination Engine

Through Croftcast broadcasts and multimedia world-building workshops, we ensure digital inclusion is creative. We empower participants to be active digital creators.

LISTENai & Data Sovereignty

LISTENai & Data Sovereignty

We translate grassroots sentiment into robust, HM Treasury-compliant metrics. Community voices are captured securely and anonymized at the edge to shape regional policy.

Sue Straughair

Sue Straughair

FOUNDER + GOVERNANCE LEAD

“My focus remains unchanged: delivering sustainable, meaningful change that empowers individuals and strengthens our collective resilience.”

Sue brings a lifelong dedication to the public good, blending rigorous research with community empowerment. As a former Senior Civil Servant, her career spans cross-sector pioneering engagement from Whitehall to local communities, driving evidence-led policy and community-first service.

Ben Straughair

Ben Straughair

FOUNDER + STRATEGIC LEAD

“Technology has to serve the human narrative, not the other way around. True digital symbiosis relies on relationships, trust, and familiar spaces.”

With 30 years across arts, education, and civic infrastructure, Ben pioneers person-centered strategies. By prioritizing familiar 3rd-space connections over rigid technical fixes, he ensures the social scaffolding is in place to deliver true community-led change.

PROCUREMENT & INQUIRIES

Corporate Details

Email ben@thecroft.online
Landline 01388 358380
Mobile 07356246010
Location 15 Fern Valley, Crook,
County Durham, DL15 9PZ
Croft Foundational Bedrock
C-Vault Security Illustration

C-Vault & GDPR Reassurance

The Croft confirms all personal data for this initiative is processed securely and with full transparency, in compliance with GDPR.

Your data is your own; our processes are designed to be privacy-first and participatory, with full data sovereignty for the community. We execute a Zero-Harvest Infrastructure.