From Street
to Leadership
It Started Outside Sainsbury's. flipside was born from a moment of connection that changed two lives forever. When Jo Brooker, founder of C2C Group, met David outside her local Sainsbury's where he was homeless and begging, she made a decision: don't walk past this one.
She offered David a job interview at C2C Group. He took a chance. So did she. What followed was transformation - rehab, recovery, rebuilding, and ultimately, rediscovered purpose.
The Inspiration for Something Bigger
Watching David's journey from homelessness to valued team member at C2C Group showed Jo what was possible with the right support. Then came Rob - a young person under 24 struggling to find meaningful work, who through C2C Group's training and apprenticeship programme became Training and Apprenticeship Coordinator, now helping others develop their careers.
Two different people, two different challenges, same outcome: transformation through opportunity, support, and belief. These successes weren't lucky accidents - they were replicable. That realisation sparked the vision for Flipside CIC.
Full Circle
Now David serves as our Community Champion, using his lived experience to guide others through similar transformations. His journey from surviving outside Sainsbury's to co-creating a company that changes lives proves that every story truly has a flipside.
Our Philosophy: Lived Experience is Vital Experience
We believe the people who've faced the deepest challenges often have the greatest insights into solutions. That's why lived experience isn't just represented in our team - it leads our approach.
David's transformation wasn't luck or charity. It was what happens when someone sees your potential, provides practical support, and refuses to give up on your story. Now we're scaling that approach.
Meet Our Founders
Jo Brooker
Founder & Director
Founder and Managing Director of C2C Group, Jo brings extensive experience in recruitment, training, and business development to flipside. Her passion for this work was ignited by witnessing David's transformation at C2C Group - proof that with the right support, anyone can rewrite their career story.
"Hiring David taught me that employment barriers often mask incredible potential. Success isn't about charity - it's about seeing people's authentic value and giving them the platform to demonstrate it."
David Kaufman
Community Champion
David's journey from homelessness to valued C2C Group team member inspired the creation of flipside. Now he uses his lived experience to guide others through similar transformations, proving that the people who've faced the biggest challenges often make the most effective champions for change.
"I know what rock bottom looks like, but I also know what's possible when someone believes in you. At C2C Group, Jo and the team saw my potential before I could see it myself. Now we're creating that same opportunity for others."
Our Team
Led by professionals with backgrounds in HR, recruitment, training, counselling, and business development, supported by Community Champions with lived experience of the challenges our participants face.
Why CIC?
As a Community Interest Company, we operate with business principles applied to social outcomes. We're accountable for results, focused on sustainability, and committed to proving that investment in people creates lasting returns for individuals and communities.