A note from Fiona Halton, Pilotlight Chief Executive
2008 has been a remarkable year. As we look forward to the holidays at Pilotlight, we are also thinking about how we can meet the challenges of a fast-changing environment. Almost three-quarters (72%) of charity leaders have seen demand for their services rise over the last few months – according to ACEVO, the body representing Chief Executives – but 88% of such leaders simultaneously expect their income to fall.
Pilotlight is in an excellent position to help charities face this difficult climate, as demonstrated by the results of our 2008 Evaluation Report. Our partner charities are reaching on average 57% more people within two years of finishing their work with Pilotlight, and 95% report the immediate benefits of improved skills and tools when we step away from them.
I want to thank all the Pilotlighters, charities and donors who make this possible. Pilotlight has a lot to celebrate this month as we see our partner charities extending the reach of their essential work.
We celebrate with Westminster Children’s Society the opening of three new nurseries for disadvantaged children. Nearly 4m children in the UK live below the poverty line.
We celebrate with Forensic Therapies Ltd. the extension of their presence to a fourth prison. Forensic Therapies Ltd. provides counselling to prisoners whilst in custody and the twelve months following their release. 70% of prisoners have two or more mental health problems.
We celebrate with Ashiana Network the opening of a new refuge. Ashiana Network helps women who are victims of forced marriage and domestic violence. This is particularly timely as the Forced Marriage Act was implemented on 25 November 2008. The Act offers women at risk of forced marriage access to civil remedies and is aimed at prevention as well as protection. New Philanthropy Capital has just published a terrible statistic: Twelve women die every week from domestic violence, two at the hands of a former partner and ten from suicide. Ashiana Director, Shaminder Ubhi writes of Pilotlight: “It was the first time someone not involved in the charity looked at how we worked…they challenged us to think outside the box. We’ve now secured funding for the next three years.”
The experience of Pilotlighting is all about what can be done when extraordinary people come together. That is the spirit in which we will approach the coming year, inspired by all that our Pilotlighters and partner charities can achieve together in 2009. I wish you happy holidays and most of all, a very good New Year.
Fiona Halton
Chief Executive
Pilotlight Group