About Us

CROGGI CIC is a Community Interest Company based in the UK, dedicated to fostering community wellbeing, creative collaboration, and sustainable development. Founded with the belief that positive change is best achieved when local people lead the way, CROGGI CIC acts as an umbrella organisation for innovative projects like D-Circle and Life Spices.

What is a Community Interest Company (CIC)?

As a CIC, CROGGI operates under a legal framework designed specifically for social enterprises. This means we are committed to using our assets and profits for the public good, with an “asset lock” that ensures resources benefit the community rather than private individuals. Our structure supports transparency, accountability, and long-term impact — all aligned with the needs of the communities we serve.

Our Community-Led Approach

At the heart of CROGGI CIC is a belief in the power of community. Our projects are designed, led, and delivered with the active involvement of local people, ensuring that their voices shape every decision. This participatory ethos promotes inclusion, shared ownership, and resilience, creating lasting social connections and empowering individuals.

Meet Our Team

Anthony Wan – Founder and Honorary Director - AWD&D website
I’m an Architectural Designer and founder of CROGGI CIC, based in Hull. With a background as an architectural technician—recognised in professional practice and during my university studies—I bring strong technical skills in building regulation, design, and sustainable construction.

I am committed to community development, blending my expertise with a passion for creativity, environmental responsibility and inclusive learning. Through CROGGI CIC I aim to empower people of all backgrounds by creating opportunities to learn, collaborate and engage in projects that benefit society and the planet.

Graham Carr – Honorary Director
Graham Carr is a Senior Architectural Technician with extensive experience in building design, construction, and compliance. Over his career, he has contributed to a wide range of residential, commercial, and community projects, bringing strong technical expertise and attention to detail.

In addition to his architectural background, Graham has significant experience in construction safety and CDM (Construction Design and Management) roles, ensuring that projects meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

As part of CROGGI CIC, Graham supports community-led development and sustainable design initiatives, applying his professional knowledge to create safer, more resilient, and inspiring built environments.

Denis Yeung – Honorary Director
Denis Yeung is an experienced restaurateur and business manager with a proven track record in building successful, sustainable enterprises. Based in Howden, Denis has spent many years developing strong community connections through his work in hospitality and local business initiatives. Passionate about sustainability and social impact, he brings valuable expertise in management, customer engagement, and community development to CROGGI CIC, helping to foster local growth and long-term resilience.

Strengths & Weakness Profile – Anthony Wan (BA Hons) Architecture - An AI assisted assessment

🌟 Core Strengths

1. Creative Visionary & Innovator

Track record of award-winning designs and innovative problem-solving.
Ability to generate fresh ideas across architecture, property development, community projects, and arts/crafts initiatives.
Strong imagination and capacity to see the “big picture.”

2. Multi-Disciplinary Skills & Adaptability

Expertise spanning architecture, property development, teaching, community work, and hands-on construction skills.
Comfortable moving between design work, technical drafting, project management, and practical site work.
Adaptable to different roles, environments, and challenges.

3. Project Leadership & Coordination

Proven ability to manage contractors, oversee renovations, and deliver projects from feasibility through to completion.
erience liaising with councils, clients, and communities.
Skilled at turning vision into structured proposals and managing complex projects with limited resources.

4. Community-Oriented & Socially Driven

Long-standing involvement in volunteering (Hull Time Bank, event support).
Strong motivation to create projects with social impact (e.g., CIC initiatives, crafts clubs, inclusive creative spaces).
Focus on equity, accessibility, and regenerative approaches in innovation.

5. Strategic Planning & Self-Management

Ability to design structured frameworks (outlines, multi-year plans, funding models) to keep large projects on track.
Resilient self-employed career since 2009, balancing multiple income streams.
Evidence of self-motivation, discipline, and resourcefulness.

⚡ Potential Weaknesses (and How They May Be Seen by Funders/Partners)

1. Idea Overload / Project Spread

Tendency to juggle many projects and creative directions at once, which can dilute focus.
May benefit from partners who provide narrowing, sequencing, and sustained execution.

2. Implementation vs. Vision Gap

Strong visionary and planning skills, but some projects may stall without additional admin/technical support (e.g. coding, grant admin, detailed follow-through).
Funders may see this as a need for complementary team members or structured support.

3. Sensitivity to Bureaucracy & Delays

Preference for fast-moving, innovative work could clash with slower grant processes or institutional structures.
Needs clear systems and patient collaborators to balance this.

4. Mid-Level Tech Specialisation

Skilled in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop — but only basic Revit and digital workflows.
For some funders, this may signal reliance on team collaboration for cutting-edge BIM or digital design.

✅ Overall Profile

Anthony Wan brings award-winning design expertise, creative innovation, and a strong community-driven ethos. He thrives on big-picture visioning, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and projects with social value. His natural creativity and adaptability make him a catalyst for new ideas, while his freelance background shows resilience and self-sufficiency.

To achieve maximum impact, Anthony works best when paired with partners who can:

Provide detailed admin/technical execution,
Help streamline focus among multiple projects,
Support long-term delivery structures.

Anthony offers an ideal blend of creativity, practicality, and social value, with the potential to scale projects that combine design, community benefit, and sustainable innovation.

🌸 Discovering My Ikigai: Finding Your Reason for Being

🌸 Discovering Ikigai: Finding Your Reason for Being

What is Ikigai?

Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a Japanese concept that translates loosely as “reason for being.” It refers to the deep sense of fulfilment that comes when what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all overlap.

In Japan, Ikigai isn’t always about grand achievements—it can also mean the smaller joys of daily life that make existence meaningful. But in modern personal development, Ikigai is often used as a reflective framework for uncovering purpose, guiding career choices, and shaping life strategies.

How is Ikigai Used?

The Ikigai framework is often shown as a four-circle Venn diagram:

What you love (your passions)
What you are good at (your strengths)
What the world needs (your contribution)
What you can be paid for (your opportunities)

Where these circles intersect lies your Ikigai—a sweet spot of passion, profession, mission, and vocation.

It’s used by:

Individuals to clarify life purpose and align careers with values
Professionals to design meaningful and sustainable business strategies
Communities to connect skills and passions with social impact

Why is Ikigai Useful?

Finding your Ikigai helps you:

Gain clarity about your purpose
Align work with values and joy
Avoid burnout by combining passion with practicality
Make better decisions about career or business direction
Contribute to something larger than yourself

It acts as a compass—keeping you on track when opportunities arise, and helping you filter out distractions that don’t align with your deeper purpose.

An Example: My Ikigai

Based on my work, passions, and career journey, here’s how my own Ikigai takes shape:

❤️ What I Love

Exploring consciousness, philosophy, and ethics
Creative expression through writing, crafts, and community projects
Building inclusive spaces for learning and innovation
Helping others reclaim agency and grow

💡 What I’m Good At

Creating structured plans and frameworks (e.g., CIC governance, funding models, workshops)
Translating complex systems (building regulations, sustainability) into accessible tools
Bridging diverse fields: tech, philosophy, community, and creativity
Visionary big-picture thinking combined with practical steps

🌍 What the World Needs

Accessible innovation tools (like U-value calculators or CIC funding guides)
Community spaces for creativity, learning, and connection
Ethical approaches to technology, sustainability, and wellbeing
Support for underrepresented innovators and learners

💰 What I Can Be Paid For

Developing digital tools and learning resources for community use
Training and consultancy on sustainability, CIC setup, and funding
Writing, publishing, and teaching in areas of personal growth and innovation
Guiding individuals and groups in creative, ethical leadership

✨ My Ikigai:
To create and support ethical, sustainable, and creative systems that empower individuals and communities to thrive—bridging innovation, wellbeing, and social impact.

This expresses itself through:

Career/Business: Leading CIC projects, developing digital tools, consulting in community innovation
Personal Calling: Guiding people and groups to rediscover agency, creativity, and connection
Daily Joys: Crafting, writing, teaching, experimenting, and sharing insights with others

👉 By using Ikigai as a reflective tool, I’ve been able to align my career and community work with what matters most—ensuring that both my personal fulfilment and professional path point toward meaningful impact.

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