Latest Pilotlight News
Empowering Youth Leads UK to build a sustainable future
Youth Leads UK is a social mobility charity focused on empowering young people to fulfil their potential and take an active role in society.
Driving strategic development at RAY Ceredigion
RAY Ceredigion operates in a rural area of West Wales, where public transport is poor, access to services is limited, and poverty rates are high.
There can be no green transition without green skills
One of the best definitions of sustainability I have come across (and by some counts, there are over 200 definitions) is that it is about humanity learning fast enough for us to survive.
Meanwood Valley Urban Farm’s path to financial stability
Meanwood Valley Urban Farm was set up as a charity in 1980. Its mission is to offer people in Leeds and beyond of all ages, cultures and backgrounds the chance to experience nature, farm animals and food growing in its urban green space.
Combatting food poverty in London through skilled volunteering
"I came out of the day with a target list of potential business partners (with names and emails), a strategy to implement the initiative and a fantastic set of creative ideas to initiate the partnerships."
Fighting food insecurity through volunteering
"We are coming to the end of our strategic cycle and are taking the time develop our new strategy, so this event was really timely in helping the team and I think through what some of the key areas of work we will need to plan for to achieve our objectives over the next strategic period. The wealth of information and resource gained has and will be invaluable for that process."
Corporate Social Responsibility News
The maze of sustainability: A journey of innovation and impact
To truly embrace innovation in sustainability, we must challenge ourselves to think differently about the role we play as leaders.
Green action, not greenwash or greenhush
Some writers predict that the world cannot avoid an environmental collapse, others that we have it within our power to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and to make the transition to a sustainable economy.
100,000 skilled volunteers needed
New research from Pilotlight estimates that 100,000 skilled “climate volunteers” are needed to accelerate environmental action in the UK. Published today, the findings reveal an urgent need amongst environmental charities for professional support from skilled volunteers.
The Big Help Out and the volunteer push
The coronation kicks off more than a new cushion on the throne. It also marks the start of a push for volunteers through a programme called the Big Help Out.
UK Pro Bono Association – a new collaboration
One of the first questions a charity should ask of itself is whether it can achieve its charitable objects on its own, or whether doing so requires co-operation.
The future of work is out
Now, after lockdown and working from home, it’s trends such as the ‘great resignation’ and the rise of the ‘quiet quitters’, the future of work is here - it is, as they say, just unevenly spread.
Research: £17bn impact of ‘workout’ culture
New research from Pilotlight highlights the strong demand from the UK workforce for their employers to do more to support skills-based volunteering in the community. The research, published today in a report called 'Give your culture a workout', includes new attitudinal research on the public support for employers to do more in this area and outlines the tangible benefits this would bring for the employers themselves.
Record for charity support from Barclays & Pilotlight
Pilotlight and our Partner Business Barclays launched 11 projects in September 2022. It’s the biggest cohort of projects launched with a Partner Business in a four-week period yet. The cohort includes Inclusive Leadership and Pilotlight Insight and Pilotlight Direction programmes.
Are we passed the peak of volunteering?
A wave of informal volunteering helped charities and community groups to play a critical role for communities over the pandemic. Now that the cost of living crisis is hitting home, the role for the voluntary sector is once more key, but this time it is not clear that volunteering - or emergency funding - will be able to help.
A vision for volunteering
Last month our Programme Manager Jonas Fathy spoke at the annual general meeting of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on volunteering. Pilotlight had been one of many charities working with the NCVO to develop the Vision for Volunteering, and Jonas had been asked to share Pilotlight’s perspective on the Vision.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion News
Investing in female leadership
Pilotlight has the privilege of working with a diverse and inspiring community of female leaders. To celebrate International Women’s Day we asked Stacey Carr, a Pilotlighter via our Ignite Initiative, to share her leadership journey with us and why she believes investing in your leadership development is so important for women.
Supporting LGBTQIA+ charities at Deloitte
In this particular edition, the focus was on making a tangible difference in the lives of LGBTQIA+ communities. Also coinciding with LGBTQIA+ History Month, the event brought together around 50 Pilotlighters from Deloitte to work alongside three impactful Partner Charities: The Love Tank, Just Like Us, and Living Free UK.
Using L&D to accelerate opportunities for diverse staff
Diversity and inclusion are key components of any successful business. Not only does a diverse workforce foster a culture of innovation and creativity, but it also allows a company to tap into a wider pool of talent and perspectives.
Walking the talk: our commitment to DEI
Over the last year, led by our staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, we have run a series of learning events, where colleagues come together to learn from the work and lived experience of our partner charities.
We’ve been awarded silver!
We’re delighted to share that we’ve achieved a Silver Status Award under the Inclusive Employers Standard.
Women in leadership: Challenging stereotypes and making waves
In my current role at Pilotlight, I have the pleasure to work with impact-driven leaders every day, tirelessly doing their bit to tackle society’s biggest challenges. I am proud that 75% of my project portfolio is organisations led by women.
Inspiring women: Leadership tips for success
When I think of women in leadership roles, I tend to think of Jacina Ardern (Prime Minister of New Zealand) or Michelle Obama (Former First Lady) and the lessons they’ve modelled to the world; kindness, tenacity, assertiveness.
Inclusion on an accelerator
The shift to new patterns of work coming out of the pandemic is helping to spur a new generation of progressive employment practices. In time, I believe, these will come to define the workplace of the future.
10 Pilotlighters to join our community via our 2022 Ignite Initiative
Pilotlight is delighted to announce that, for the second consecutive year, we have 10 driven and ambitious Pilotlighters joining our community via
Picking up the pace on diversity
Whether this is an insight or simply a new cliché in the making, I don’t know but so many areas of personal or organisational development today are described as a ‘journey’ and this feels apt for us.
Becoming better allies: The best way to hear is to listen first
Today marks World Hearing Day. Organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) annually.
Why inclusivity and flexibility go hand in hand
As I write this, I am probably in the best health I’ve been in for two years. I have an immune system disorder and fibromyalgia. I’ve spent years schlepping on trains, planes and automobiles to attend meetings and visit offices, getting exhausted and exposing myself to infections as I travel.
Why every organisation needs an inclusive board
When entering a boardroom, my biggest worry was Norm. Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Norm. Norm can genuinely be a nice person.
Pilotlight announces 21 Pilotlighters for its 2021 Ignite Initiative
Pilotlight is delighted to announce the 21 driven and ambitious Pilotlighters joining the charity via our Ignite Initiative.
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey
As a charity founded to support charities in their efforts to help more people, we share the common goal of tackling social disadvantage in all its
Race and the voluntary sector
Today we release the 'Learning and Listening for Mutual Action: surfacing and building the evidence base to support Black African, Black Caribbean, Asian and other Minoritised Ethnic led voluntary sector organisations' report that asks the vital question: what are the support needs of organisations led by, for, and with BAME communities?
Leadership News
How can we develop emotionally intelligent leaders in an AI-driven world?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) evangelists claim we are in the next Industrial Revolution. But isn’t it our human capacity for empathy and self-awareness that truly drives meaningful change?
How to innovate leadership development
“Leaders today crave immersive experiences that equip them with the practical skills to navigate the complexities of their role,” is something I often hear from Learning and Development leaders.
Embracing change through volunteering
Little did I know that a seemingly simple email was about to change my perspective in a big way. It was from Pilotlight. Thanking their ‘Pilotlighters’, both past and present, for their contribution to the skills-based volunteering programmes they run in partnership with Barclays. And whilst reading it, the thought struck me that I actually had a lot to thank Pilotlight for.
When Yes Means No
Something I hear frequently from charity leaders, especially founders, is ‘We can’t say no to someone who needs help!
Women in leadership: Challenging stereotypes and making waves
In my current role at Pilotlight, I have the pleasure to work with impact-driven leaders every day, tirelessly doing their bit to tackle society’s biggest challenges. I am proud that 75% of my project portfolio is organisations led by women.
Five things I have learned coming into the charity sector
I joined Comic Relief almost two years ago now, at a moment of great change, joining during the pandemic. It was a great personal change. I'd worked at this other agency for a long time, was quite comfortable and then decided to jump in and work on this side of the fence.
Inspiring women: Leadership tips for success
When I think of women in leadership roles, I tend to think of Jacina Ardern (Prime Minister of New Zealand) or Michelle Obama (Former First Lady) and the lessons they’ve modelled to the world; kindness, tenacity, assertiveness.
The traditional definition of a leader has eroded
At seven years old I was a tree-climbing, dress-hating, future astronaut. Aged 17 not much had changed. From an early age, both of my parents encouraged me to strive for whatever I wanted to be, whatever I wanted to do. It was well into my adolescence before I even stopped to consider that being a girl – or more accurately not being a boy - might be a barrier in my future.
Be a risk-taker and fail forward
I have always been close to my mum and my older sister. I would say my mum is an inspiration to me; I always behave in fear of disappointing her; she's anchored me throughout my life.
Why every organisation needs an inclusive board
When entering a boardroom, my biggest worry was Norm. Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Norm. Norm can genuinely be a nice person.
Women in leadership: tips from the top
To celebrate International Women's Day today I wanted to share some tips I’ve collated from powerful women leaders at Pilotlight. I feel very fortunate to work alongside many amazing women every day: half of our leadership team is made up of incredible women, our Chair is a woman, and we recently welcomed three new women trustees to our Board
Learning and Development News
The purpose paradox: How volunteering boosts productivity
Improving productivity growth is the decades old dilemma for UK business. Throughout my whole career, which I’ll be honest dates back to typewriters on desks, it seems that we’ve been trying to crack the code on how to increase work outputs.
The unexpected solution to workplace absenteeism
Reasons for absenteeism can range from mental health concerns to workplace stress and dissatisfaction. When Illness forces employees to take time off, disrupting workflows, and impacting productivity, these can be costly problems for businesses.
A win-win for wellbeing
After a period of testing and development, Pilotlight Impact Day was born. Rather than focus on open questions of strategy, funding and governance for charities, the time was structured into small teams focusing on precise challenges, carefully prepared in advance, that were critical to the life of the charity.
How charities can help business embed a values-led culture
Helping charities as a volunteer is a great way for people to give to the community. This is particularly the case for skilled volunteering – where you are using your workplace or professional skills to make a difference. Seven out of ten charities are looking for support in the form of professional skills, but only four out of ten find it. Charities need skilled support.
Pilotlight’s recipe for developing interpersonal skills in staff
In today’s fast-paced business environment, having a skilled workforce isn’t enough to guarantee success. Companies invest heavily in training and development programmes to enhance the technical skills, but these hard skills alone are not enough to guarantee success.
Stepping into the learning & development limelight
As a social enterprise focused on supporting charities, Pilotlight is sometimes perceived as an outlier in the corporate learning and development sector. This year we’ve challenged ourselves to better understand the impact of our programmes on employees and the return on investment for their employers.
Driving business success through investing in your people
Learning and Talent teams are more focused than ever on employee engagement and retention. So how can business better engage its people and provide compelling learning opportunities that address shifting strategic priorities?
Learning to swim: lessons in leadership
My first leadership experience was when I was quite young. Soon after leaving university, I found myself leading a small grassroots project in South Africa providing training to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. I knew very little about running a project, and equally little about leadership. I had the job title of a leader and people to be led but really, I didn’t know what to do.
Research: £17bn impact of ‘workout’ culture
New research from Pilotlight highlights the strong demand from the UK workforce for their employers to do more to support skills-based volunteering in the community. The research, published today in a report called 'Give your culture a workout', includes new attitudinal research on the public support for employers to do more in this area and outlines the tangible benefits this would bring for the employers themselves.
How to survive and thrive as a charity in a financial crisis
It is hard to start a charity, but it is also hard to kill one. This is a resilience, characteristic of charities, that we have a purpose that moves people to act, and we have a culture that allows for different forms of participation. In this post, I want to look at three tips for financial resilience for charities.
Growing support for carers both locally and nationally
When we worked with Kathy Verges in 2010, she was CEO at Crossroads Care Havering, which had a turnover of around £600k. Kathy retired as Chief Officer in January 2022. After a series of mergers Kathy led the charity on to re-brand to create TuVida, which had national reach and a turnover of £14m. She reflects on her work with Pilotlight.
Now is the best time for anyone to learn new skills
There is much to be learnt from the way our children approach the new school year. As Freddie stepped through the classroom door for his taster session, I admired his want to connect with peers, his openness to new experiences and his thirst for learning.
15 tips that could help your charity now
Since the start of September, 50 senior leaders from Barclays have joined forces with 10 charities from across the UK to address some of the key challenges they are facing as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
Igniting change, it all starts with a conversation
Our latest initiative, Conversation for Change, distils the essence of our strategic development programmes into a single, 90-minute virtual meeting with up to eight senior business leaders.
Can you add values to your CV?
We all have the ability to behave with values, just as we are all (or nearly all) born with the ability to sing.
Charity Trustee News
Pilotlight appoints Alison Forrestal as Chair of Trustees
Pilotlight is delighted to announce the appointment of Alison Forrestal as its new Chair of Trustees. Effective from January 2025, Alison will succeed Sally Bailey, who has led the Board with energy, dedication and vision over the past six years.
Creating better charity boards
Governance can be a challenge for charities. It's also often the key to the door that needs to be unlocked before a charity can get to the next stage in its development. Each board faces individual challenges, but over time, we have seen certain trends emerge when exploring the governance of an organisation.
Taking the next step: Transformation from Pilotlighter to Trustee
Amelie Busch, Investment Director at Big Society Capital, shares her experience of Pilotlight 360, what she learned, and how the experience helped her become a trustee.
Pilotlight welcomes four new trustees to its Board
Pilotlight is delighted to welcome Finia Kuhlmann, Amanda Rothwell, Faiz Siddiqui and Angela Halliday to its Board of Trustees.
Seeking Leaders with Purpose
One of the key attributes that I seek in leaders is the ability to bring the outside in to the business – to be able to listen to and engage with a wide range of internal and external audiences that have a stake in the way they operate.
Becoming a better board member
Over my time at Pilotlight, I’ve worked with all kinds of charity boards — the good, bad and even the ugly. I’ve also had the delight in seeing many of our Pilotlighters go from working with a charity for the first time, to being inspired enough to become a trustee after participating in one our programmes.
The purposeful leader: how I became the chair of a small charity
I’ve spent my career focused on how to build organisations that engage employees so they give their best. I’ve experienced economic booms and busts, a technological revolution in the way we live and work, and the increased globalisation of business. The consistent theme throughout my 35 year career, is that people give their best when they truly believe in their organisation’s mission.
Leaping into the unknown
I knew I wanted a challenge that took me out of my comfort zone.
Latest Events
Weston Charity Awards: Maximising your application
Hear about our top tips for writing a successful application for the Weston Charity Awards
Weston Charity Awards: Your questions answered
Bring your questions about the Weston Charity Awards and get them answered before you apply.