I have always been an advocate for skills-based volunteering. When diverse groups of people come together to contribute just a little bit of their time, skills and energy, it inevitably transforms the activity into something bigger. For me, the most exciting part about this collaborative approach to change is the lasting impact it can have and the ripple effect it creates. I’ve recently started working with the charity Safe Harbour Inverclyde as part of a new programme we’re running. This project has reminded me just how much change and impact we have at Pilotlight through our collaborative approach.
Safe Harbour works with vulnerable individuals in Inverclyde experiencing long-term mental and emotional issues, making them more emotionally resilient by focusing on the individual instead of the condition. Its programmes have been a resounding success in engaging those who find it too difficult to engage with statutory services. The charity came to Pilotlight in 2012 and took part in the Pilotlight 360: 12 months of collaborative coaching which resulted in a new strategic plan, improved structure, and a more sustainable, robust delivery model. This support with the strategy gave the CEO the skills and confidence to formulate a business plan and execute a strongly evidenced bid for longer term funding from the Big Lottery. Pilotlight’s support played a key part in bringing about the five year funding it was awarded by the Big Lottery in Dec 2015. In the four years since it completed the Pilotlight 360, the charity has grown its team and increased its reach within Inverclyde. During a recent chat with Duncan Shaw the CEO, he said “None of our short or long term plans would have been possible without the intervention of Pilotlight. Without this support we would simply not exist.”
At Pilotlight this kind of comment is the reason we exist. A lot of the charities we work with through Pilotlight 360 come back to us later down the line for further support because they need more guidance on a particular strategic issue. If we can help we certainly will.
There is no doubt that most small charities need more money. However, to really make a lasting difference and help them make a greater contribution to our society, they need skilled, collaborative support that helps them to think in new ways. This can be achieved when senior business leaders share their skills. Pilotlight's collaborative coaching model leverages those skills to create change far greater than one person’s mentoring could ever achieve.
When people work together and everyone gives a little bit to the right place, it works.
