“I will urge politicians to recognise that small charities and social enterprises can, given the right support, save the country money while solving social problems”
I am struck by the parallels between the task ahead for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats and the work that Pilotlight does on a daily basis.
We bring together teams of people who may have long-held stereotypes about each other, get them to roll up their sleeves and tackle social problems.We play a unique role, matching teams of senior business people from the corporate world, with directors of small charities, working at grassroots level in the most deprived parts of the country.In our annual review, which will be published next month, you will be able to read about the success of our project managers over the last year.
Our head of project management in London, Helen Lang says: I act as a leveller,as people often arrive with lots of preconceptions both about charities and the corporate sector. I want to make sure there is mutual respect and thateveryone feels the meeting is an independent space.
As well as sharing our experience of bringing together disparate groups of people to achieve great outcomes, I want to make newly elected MPs aware ofthe work we do to help charities and social enterprises to really make a difference. I also want them to realise the potential of small charitiesto play a part in the recovery from recession. In this difficult economic climate, we will be helping charities and social enterprises to diversifytheir income and build strategic plans to ensure stability, so they can continue to deliver vital services.
Our key messages will be that small charities:
• can find solutions for local communities
• are cost-effective
• are endlessly innovative.
I will be meeting newly elected MPs in the next few months to build on the momentum generated by our Westminster briefing at the start of the year. Iaim to raise our profile further, influence policy and gain support for Pilotlight’s work.I will urge politicians to recognise that small charities and social enterprises can, given the right support, save the country money while solving social problems.
I am keen to show that we are already ahead of theagenda, capitalising on David Cameron’s words in his speech to launch his ‘Big Society’ plans. He said: "The incredible wealth of the City exists side-by-side with some of the poorest neighbourhoods in our country. .. Bringing these two worlds closer is a multi-faceted endeavour: moral, social, and of course economic."
Fiona Halton
Chief Executive, Pilotlight Group