A SOUTHAMPTON mum has overcome adversity to win a national award

Maddy Alexander-Grout, 34, received the Mpower National Business Award for Community for her business, My VIP Card.

After suffering from postnatal anxiety following the birth of her son, Maddy wanted to help local parents in a similar situation to get out and make new friends while saving money. She started to organise discounted events and that’s when the idea for My VIP Card began.

“I had a really strong desire to help local small businesses succeed and this seemed like the perfect idea,” Maddy said. “I started planning in July 2017 and by September had over 50 businesses to promote!

“Since launching the card on December 1, 2017, over 400 local businesses have signed up and there are over 800 card holders.”

And the My VIP Card is now available for anyone to buy as an individual or as a business for their staff.

“I was shaking when I went up to receive my award, and I honestly am still shocked now. It is the best feeling to be rewarded for something that I have worked so hard to make work whilst looking after everyone I work with.”

Sponsor of the Community award, Emily Thorpe from Happy Working Mum, said, “I was absolutely thrilled that Maddy was our overall winner. The concept and practical application of My VIP Card is centred entirely on supporting and benefiting the community.

“Maddy truly embraces the ‘Mpower Way’ running a heart-centred business that helps mums in the area, supports spending in local shops and works for herself and her family. “

My VIP Card holders get over 400 Hampshire based discounts and over 2,500 national benefits such a coffee shops, holidays, restaurants, days out, business services, cinemas and shops

In June 2018, My VIP Card was also launched as an affordable employee benefit scheme, that helps employees to shop local.

Maddy, who worked in training and e-learning for Manpower Group Soloutions for four years, and recruitment for 10 years before that – said she is now working on a project to help raise money for schools.