A charitable trust announces a funding round focussed on a particular, fairly narrow, cause. Pretty much every charity working in that field (mostly small ones) scratches their head, bites their pencil, fiddles with a spreadsheet and submits an application. I was working with a small charity that applied, and some weeks later found out they… Read more »
Whether or not we are directly affected by school or college timetables, it is hard to miss the feeling of the start of term. Partly the changing light, crisper, bright mornings, rosehips and yellowing leaves. And partly the buzz of activity, resonating with our shared experience of ‘back to school’. I often think the new… Read more »
I recently compered the wonderful 2nd (ever) annual Reading Volunteer Awards (red dress last year, navy dress this year!) hosted by Reading Voluntary Action (RVA). http://rva.org.uk/volawards2018/. Until last year’s event, I had tended to be luke-warm about ‘awards’. Surely just going to people for doing their well-paid jobs? But I was completely converted, bowled over… Read more »
Local charities A few weeks ago, the Dash Charity in Slough, a Women’s Aid refuge organisation, lost its core funding to a London-based housing association; the result of the local authority putting those services out to tender. This is distressing for the well-established charity concerned, its staff and board, past and current beneficiaries and all… Read more »
The other day I met someone who told me about her experience, maybe 30 years ago, of hesitating outside the door of the Women’s Information Centre in Reading. She was plucking up the courage to join the ‘Monday Night Group’. It was a lesbian social group – and was where she first came out. Being… Read more »
An early casualty of public sector cuts, already noticeable some years ago, were cups of tea at meetings. First, there were no biscuits, then nothing at all, as the trolleys with vacuum flasks, and the women wearing hairnets, were gone. I understand the reasons. But I think the humble cuppa can add significant value to… Read more »
I attended the NAVCA conference earlier this month (NAVCA is the national infrastructure body for local voluntary action). The day provided much food for thought about what the future might hold for the voluntary sector, and how it affects our priorities. As a facilitator working to help organisations to get their heads around the implications of… Read more »
RACT is a group of charities who raise funds together and receive donations from Local Giving and Payroll Giving. Recently, in my role as Chair of RACT, I presented a cheque to the South Reading charity ‘Care Cultural Integration (CCI)‘ Women’s group (Agaseke). The Chair of the women’s group (Agaseke) gratefully received the donation. She… Read more »
How you start a facilitation session matters. It sets the tone, and establishes that you are the facilitator. It helps participants to feel comfortable, and is a reminder that you are all looking forward to working together constructively. You will often start with introductions. If time is short you might just want a quick round… Read more »
Years ago I was at a meeting of a local community committee. It was in someone’s house, and an assortment of seats had been gathered together; kitchen chairs, comfy chairs, stools etc. By the time the committee Chair arrived, most of the seats had been taken, and she had to sit on a cushion on the… Read more »
