Volunteering StrategY

TACKLING YOUR big ISSUES, REIMAGINING YOUR PROGRAMME

With extensive experience of running high-impact programmes and designing strategy - for charities, national initiatives and central government during Covid-19 - I am uniquely-placed to help you increase the value and contribution volunteering can make to your mission.

If you’re experiencing challenges with your programme, or have an instinct that you could do so much more with volunteering, I can help you to :

  • diagnose and address challenges at any stage of your volunteering journey - whether that’s about recruitment, induction, retention, recognition or another key area, refreshing your whole programme for the post-Covid era;

  • embed volunteering within your strategic objectives, business goals and partnerships, raising its profile and helping your whole organisation to appreciate and leverage it’s value;

  • scope the best technological and digital solutions for your strategic ambitions and operational challenges - which software platform is right for you? do volunteer passports offer potential for us? or similar;

  • get your whole team ‘volunteer-ready’ - bespoke training and familiarisation to boost your organisation’s knowledge and confidence to engage with volunteers.

Unlike many consultants in this field, I’m different because:

  • I’m a pragmatist, not a purist - I’m not wedded to any one type or model of volunteering, I think all have something to offer and want to stretch our expectations of what’s possible;

  • I combine both strategic and operational expertise, giving you end-to-end solutions, not just abstract theory, off-the-shelf training or dry recommendations;

  • I practice my own practice - though I’m no longer on the staff team of a volunteer-involving charity, I still volunteer regularly in a wide range of settings and run successful volunteering programmes, (in a voluntary capacity) for local causes.

You can read more about my professional background in volunteering here.

SPEAKING + FACILITATION

Perhaps you’re not sure where to start and simply want to take stock of the current landscape. You can hire me as a speaker or facilitator on a subject of your choice. Recent commissions have included:

  • Creating a Culture of Volunteering, for the British Gliding Association (July 22);

  • Everything you need to know about the Vision for Volunteering, for the Support Cambridgeshire partnership (June 22) and Befriending Networks (Nov 22);

  • Revisiting Volunteer Recognition, for The Clare Foundation (May 22).

HOW I WORK

I use national data, the latest research and my own practice insights to help demystify volunteering, giving your teams, colleagues or members the tools and confidence to plot a new course.

I regularly take pro bono speaking commissions for small charities and networks - please contact me if you would like to discuss this.

RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

NON-PROFIT GROWTH + DEVELOPMENT

BESPOKE solutions FOR YOUR THORNIEST CHALLENGES

I know that it’s never been harder to run a non-profit - I’ve worked for a number of great charities that have had to merge, close or radically scale-back in recent years, thanks to a remorseless financial climate, an unfavourable policy environment or simply the pressure of increased competition.

Change is one of the few constants in the non-profit world, and through necessity I have learned to find ways to leverage change as opportunity and turn uncertainty into advantage.

If you’re reading this, you may be looking for the freshest ideas and energy to help you strike a new course, navigate a major change or simply stand out from the crowd.

You’ve come to the right place. I bring:

  • 20 years’ strategic and operational experience at local, regional and national levels across England and Wales, giving me a holistic understanding of the non-profit landscape, an inventory of the best management tools and a contact book full of brilliant people;

  • An ability to uncover new value from your existing assets - I combine forensic analysis with compelling narratives, opening new conversations and possibilities with your team or key stakeholders;

  • Striking, original thinking - informed by everything from popular culture to depth psychology - helping you land your vision and message squarely with the spirit of the times.

In practical terms, this side of my work often involves:

  • Business Development - creating new business cases for organisations or programmes - identifying value, scoping partnerships and mapping development strategy;

  • Impact Capture - designing new Theories of Change and associated impact frameworks;

  • Strategic reflection - a critical friend at a key points in your journey, reviewing or evaluating progress against your mission, making focused recommendations for your next phase.

CURRENT + PREVIOUS CLIENTS

GET IN TOUCH

You can hire me for a time-limited project or on a retainer basis during a key phase or transition. I’m happy to meet and help develop your plans without charge when working towards a commission. If you’d like to explore any of this please get in touch here for an informal discussion.