Susie Pinner, Founder of Pinners Award Club and the upcoming Mission Pinners.
Published: August 29, 2023 | Updated: 29th August 2023
Earlier this year, Susie Pinner launched the Pinners Award Club in Bournemouth, offering a space for people to come together each week, share their achievements, and find new challenges to conquer.
The club was born out of an unexpected turn in Susie’s own life after she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in January 2021.
Throughout her treatment she saw unwavering support in both her personal and work life.
However, after beating the disease she found support from the weight loss company to which she had dedicated the past 16 years of her life fell short.
“Their understanding of my experience and their grasp of the pathways to support cancer survivors in their return to work fell short”, she explained.
“The company I’d once trusted and believed in for years revealed a different side, distinct from the family I’d long considered them to be.”
Susie won her battle with cancer and soon made the difficult decision to part ways with her longtime employers in search of something new.
That soon took the form of the Pinners Award Club.
“The club transcends the concept of mere badges”, said Susie.
“It’s a sanctuary for adults to nurture their passions and celebrate their hard-fought achievements.”
Susie’s ‘clubbers’ can choose from more than 60 different awards to pursue, spanning activities from crafting and DIY to gardening and baking – each with their own unique pin.
Her weekly meetings include a check-in at the Pin-It Desk for members to keep up to date with their latest achievements, along with a SMASH-It! Session to inspire them for the week ahead.
Most of all, Susie’s trying to capture one thing: “the incredible feeling of earning a badge.
“Picture the rush of accomplishment, the swell of pride, and the realization that you’ve conquered challenges and expanded your horizons.
“It’s like donning a badge of honour that you wear with a smile.”
The Pinners Award Club has proven a great success, and Susie’s now looking to take the next step with her latest venture – Mission Pinners, which launches in Dorchester this Autumn.
She’s teamed up with cancer charity Mission Remission to extend her club and its ethos exclusively to cancer survivors and their supporters.
“The Pinners Award Club and Mission Pinners are dynamic communities where kindred spirits come together to uplift and motivate each other”, Susie added.
“Mission Pinners will be a haven where triumphs are celebrated, and a community of fellow survivors will be there to cheer you on.”
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