A colleague running an air ambulance charity elsewhere in the UK recently wrote an article suggesting that Big Society will be a good thing as it will sort the wheat from the chaff of charities receiving public funding. The assumption was that public funding equals complacency and a lack of accountability! Having worked in this sector for more than 20 years I've seen more funding models than you can shake a stick at and both excellent and abysmal practice at all stages on the statutory/voluntary income spectrum.
He states that noone "has an automatic right to funding" and argues that "if a charity or not-for-profit organisation can clearly demonstrate a need or societal desire for their services then they can attract voluntary funding simply by getting proper fundraisers in place and being more savvy about key messages." What a wonderfully simple world he must live in!
Unfortunately, the reality is that the causes which are least appealing will be the easiest to cut, regardless of how good the service provision is. "Proper fundraisers" tend to want "proper" salaries (he would know all about this as his own salary has attracted significant criticism from his charity's supporters!). "Proper fundraisers" are very rarely found in grassroots community organisations serving some of our most needy, and frankly unpopular, members of society.
Big society may well prove effective in areas with plenty of social capital and relatively simple social needs. But in some of the areas I've worked in in the past and with some of the people I worked with and for, there will be very few people both willing and able to step into the breach with community led independently funded initiatives. The cost of withdrawing funding from these people and areas will be met by all of us in the long run.
I am wholeheartedly grateful for the amazing support that Devon Air Ambulance receives from the people and businesses of Devon. I am very glad we are in a position to be completely independent of government funding but I am acutely aware that this is because it is a popular cause with almost universal appeal.
A small part of me is very relieved that I am no longer tasked with raising funds for community care services for chaotic and challenging people with mental health, drug and alcohol problems in North London or young "NEETs" (Not in Employment, Education or Training) in Tower Hamlets.
I can honestly say that the charities I've previously led have been much more rigorously monitored and evaluated because of the statutory funding they received. With the constant round of regulation, inspection and reporting to the various funding bodies, we didn't have time to sit back on our laurels getting complacent. I am absolutely delighted that my colleagues at Devon Air Ambulance embrace the same levels of transparency and accountability simply because we believe our supporters have a right to expect it, even though there are very few people who ask us for it.
Monday, 2 August 2010
Friday, 26 March 2010
Priceless therapy
What I love about Twitter is that it can be all serious one minute and the next it is tatterfilarious [via @diddyman]. So many people made me laugh this week.
Having a laugh is priceless therapy. So its #ff from me & #ff to you: @paul_clarke, @paulc_t @GeorgeJulian, @katiekatetweets & @juniorc0, @guy_thePR_guy, @DarenBBC, @markofrespect, @BrittW, @lesanto, @jamesmb, @nibby01, @theskink, @RobertPickstone, @BigJG_BBC, @Chris_Penberthy, @SophyNorris, @Bluegrass_IT, @MattYoungDJ
And for offline laughs: @alpenwest, @SarahBurden, @Carolinecreer, @ChrissieDAAT, @PhilipDAAT, @Peninsular_Ron and - stop press - just adding @ProfBrianCox who made me laugh on @wossy's show tonight!
And that is just this week - just goes to show that Twitter is good for your mental 'elf.
PS - Soz - made @diddyman up in homage to Ken Dodd - at least I hope so. Apologies again if you are @diddyman - on so many fronts. x
Having a laugh is priceless therapy. So its #ff from me & #ff to you: @paul_clarke, @paulc_t @GeorgeJulian, @katiekatetweets & @juniorc0, @guy_thePR_guy, @DarenBBC, @markofrespect, @BrittW, @lesanto, @jamesmb, @nibby01, @theskink, @RobertPickstone, @BigJG_BBC, @Chris_Penberthy, @SophyNorris, @Bluegrass_IT, @MattYoungDJ
And for offline laughs: @alpenwest, @SarahBurden, @Carolinecreer, @ChrissieDAAT, @PhilipDAAT, @Peninsular_Ron and - stop press - just adding @ProfBrianCox who made me laugh on @wossy's show tonight!
And that is just this week - just goes to show that Twitter is good for your mental 'elf.
PS - Soz - made @diddyman up in homage to Ken Dodd - at least I hope so. Apologies again if you are @diddyman - on so many fronts. x
Friday, 12 February 2010
#LikeMinds: Global Thinking, Local Action
A week after Like Minds 2010 and I'm finally getting round to adding my tuppence worth to the avalanche of comments and reflections since - better late than never I hope.
Probably Devon Air Ambulance's most used strapline is 'real people saving real lives'. The real people here does not refer just to the paramedics and pilots who make life-saving flights almost every day of the year. Rather, it refers to all of the thousands of people who make our life-saving service possible: the donors large and small who give direct financial support; the patients who share their stories to inspire others to give; the volunteers who give up their time to sort goods in the charity shops or look after our thousands of collection boxes out and about in the county; the many local businesses who sponsor events, involve their staff in fundraising antics or make gifts in kind of goods and services; the community shops and post offices who promote our lottery, and so many others.
In Jon Akwue's opening keynote he cited inspirational examples of how online communities and initiatives have directly saved lives - how do you even begin to calculate the ROI on that I wonder? In a less obvious but no less important way, I believe our burgeoning online community of supporters, friends, followers and fans are also saving lives.
Social media enables us to reach out to people we weren't connecting with before. Young people, working people, professional people and just plain busy people. People who don't always make it to our stall at the local fayre or who don't get out to community talks in the evening because of child-care commitments. We have engaged new volunteers, people promoting events or raising sponsorship for challenges, bold and bizarre. Most encouragingly, especially through Facebook, we have made contact with lots more patients and/or their families who were unaware that, because of patient confidentiality, we did not automatically know who they were and so could not contact them. Their stories are invaluable and many become great advocates.
As an organisation, Devon Air Ambulance has been using Facebook and Twitter for just under a year. The majority of our existing supporters will never follow or befriend us here, most being firmly offline folks, but we are encouraged and enthused by the fact that we are making new contacts every day with these other real people who can also now help us to save real lives across the county. We have some great fundraising ideas lined up which have been inspired by and will use Twitter to engage new interest groups but without excluding our offline supporters. The best of both worlds.
The key theme for Like Minds 2010 was People to People. It sounds simple and on one level I thought, well that is just what we have always done, as outlined above. But through social media we are beginning to see how we can take 'real people saving real lives' to a new dimension. We have new advocates coming on board daily.
We've crowd-sourced all sorts of things from furniture to a caricaturist. We've promoted fundraising events and shared the patient stories which at the end of the day illustrate why Devon needs its air ambulances and why it is so important that they remain 'owned by and for the people of Devon'. When someone leaves negative feedback for example about the appropriateness of a particular mission for example, we say nothing because our many advocates respond without prompting. One of the things I love about it most is it gives us another way to say thank you.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - and it truly was an experience, marked by laughter and, remarkably, tears (a first for any conference I've ever been to thanks to Matt Young's incredibly moving presentation about Heart radio's charity appeal). It was an amazing mix of multi sector, global and local thinking and action.
I suspect everyone left with at least a nugget of learning or a kernel of a new idea, from internationally renowned social media 'guru' to local startup entrepreneur. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to spend a little more time with a handful of people over lunch. If nothing else, we made real life connections with people we'd got to know via an avatar. Personally, putting real faces to the avatars and @names was an absolute treat (will do an #FF post next week as too many to highlight here) but I came away with a myriad of ideas I can't wait to implement over coming months.
You know what? It was also fun, which is always a good thing. So final word goes to Scott Gould and Drew Ellis for not only dreaming up then delivering Like Minds and John Harvey for cleverly backing the event and helping put Exeter on the map.
Probably Devon Air Ambulance's most used strapline is 'real people saving real lives'. The real people here does not refer just to the paramedics and pilots who make life-saving flights almost every day of the year. Rather, it refers to all of the thousands of people who make our life-saving service possible: the donors large and small who give direct financial support; the patients who share their stories to inspire others to give; the volunteers who give up their time to sort goods in the charity shops or look after our thousands of collection boxes out and about in the county; the many local businesses who sponsor events, involve their staff in fundraising antics or make gifts in kind of goods and services; the community shops and post offices who promote our lottery, and so many others.
In Jon Akwue's opening keynote he cited inspirational examples of how online communities and initiatives have directly saved lives - how do you even begin to calculate the ROI on that I wonder? In a less obvious but no less important way, I believe our burgeoning online community of supporters, friends, followers and fans are also saving lives.
Social media enables us to reach out to people we weren't connecting with before. Young people, working people, professional people and just plain busy people. People who don't always make it to our stall at the local fayre or who don't get out to community talks in the evening because of child-care commitments. We have engaged new volunteers, people promoting events or raising sponsorship for challenges, bold and bizarre. Most encouragingly, especially through Facebook, we have made contact with lots more patients and/or their families who were unaware that, because of patient confidentiality, we did not automatically know who they were and so could not contact them. Their stories are invaluable and many become great advocates.
As an organisation, Devon Air Ambulance has been using Facebook and Twitter for just under a year. The majority of our existing supporters will never follow or befriend us here, most being firmly offline folks, but we are encouraged and enthused by the fact that we are making new contacts every day with these other real people who can also now help us to save real lives across the county. We have some great fundraising ideas lined up which have been inspired by and will use Twitter to engage new interest groups but without excluding our offline supporters. The best of both worlds.
The key theme for Like Minds 2010 was People to People. It sounds simple and on one level I thought, well that is just what we have always done, as outlined above. But through social media we are beginning to see how we can take 'real people saving real lives' to a new dimension. We have new advocates coming on board daily.
We've crowd-sourced all sorts of things from furniture to a caricaturist. We've promoted fundraising events and shared the patient stories which at the end of the day illustrate why Devon needs its air ambulances and why it is so important that they remain 'owned by and for the people of Devon'. When someone leaves negative feedback for example about the appropriateness of a particular mission for example, we say nothing because our many advocates respond without prompting. One of the things I love about it most is it gives us another way to say thank you.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - and it truly was an experience, marked by laughter and, remarkably, tears (a first for any conference I've ever been to thanks to Matt Young's incredibly moving presentation about Heart radio's charity appeal). It was an amazing mix of multi sector, global and local thinking and action.
I suspect everyone left with at least a nugget of learning or a kernel of a new idea, from internationally renowned social media 'guru' to local startup entrepreneur. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to spend a little more time with a handful of people over lunch. If nothing else, we made real life connections with people we'd got to know via an avatar. Personally, putting real faces to the avatars and @names was an absolute treat (will do an #FF post next week as too many to highlight here) but I came away with a myriad of ideas I can't wait to implement over coming months.
You know what? It was also fun, which is always a good thing. So final word goes to Scott Gould and Drew Ellis for not only dreaming up then delivering Like Minds and John Harvey for cleverly backing the event and helping put Exeter on the map.
Follow Fridays
Frankly Fridays are gone too quickly. There is always too much going on during the day in an attempt to avoid weekend working. During the evening there are hopefully friends or family to wind down with. Otherwise, it is random TV, spotify, red wine and tweeting. All of a sudden I'm feeling guilty because yet again I forgot to #ff....yes?
Happily I've spent the last 2 days immersed in an array of self help books learning to photoread with @clarewhiston. What I've discovered in the course of photoreading one of these books is that I'm not being entirely honest with myself.
In fact, if I'm honest, this is just rubbish. If I'm honest, I have been avoiding #ff'ing. If I'm honest, it is because I am afraid of offending someone I follow by not mentioning them and this fear has held me back. FFS get a grip woman! So, I'm going to get round this by focusing on groups of people who meet specific criteria. If I have not included you this week (who am I kidding? I mean this month!) then apologies but I will remember you next time.
So, please #ff the following:
People I have met in person and still love to follow
@jackiedawks - because she is an encouraging and exemplary Chair and charity recruiter with a great sense of humour and humanity - and I like her lists!
@clarewhiston - a brilliant and inspirational coach, hypnotist and photoreading trainer amongst many other talents (soon to be an elite dragonboat racer!)
@jamesmb - for being a generous, funny #tog with a lawyerly sideline and access to a fabulous boardroom
@candy_l - another lovely lawyer and #goodenough mummy (hang on a minute - she makes cupcakes! - upgrade to #supermum). Claire reassures me I'm doing okay when I'm fretting about having to buy my cupcakes
@PJSPhotography - fabulous #tog and really nice bloke - might usually #tog buildings but is secretly brilliant at capturing people too
@nibby01 - just a lovely writerly lady who makes me laugh and also runs @Chestnutappeal
@alpenwest - because I may not have discovered Twitter without his encouragement!
@Bluegrass_IT - because Dave gave me confidence and again is just a really genuine person
@KristenSousa - who often joins #tlng (see below) and is also a great dog lover - and Molly the Mop is always available!
People I follow who I'd still like to meet in person
@GeorgeJulian - a welfare crusader with a great sense of humour and mischief ;-)
Fellow members of #tlng (the late night gang) @MarkBIGSW @LittleLaura & @Claire_Sloane
@GabrielleNYC - because I can't wait to hear her stories -follow and send get well vibes!
@Chris_Penberthy - who seems to be a very genuine voluntary sector supporter with gsoh - not always synonymous!
@DarenBBC - someone who gets the balance of personal and professional just right - and surprises - FTW ;-)
Eeek - it is 23.53 - just enough time left to post before Saturday so that's all folks. Night y'all (tribute to @treypennington who I am looking forward to meeting at #likeminds!).
Happily I've spent the last 2 days immersed in an array of self help books learning to photoread with @clarewhiston. What I've discovered in the course of photoreading one of these books is that I'm not being entirely honest with myself.
In fact, if I'm honest, this is just rubbish. If I'm honest, I have been avoiding #ff'ing. If I'm honest, it is because I am afraid of offending someone I follow by not mentioning them and this fear has held me back. FFS get a grip woman! So, I'm going to get round this by focusing on groups of people who meet specific criteria. If I have not included you this week (who am I kidding? I mean this month!) then apologies but I will remember you next time.
So, please #ff the following:
People I have met in person and still love to follow
@jackiedawks - because she is an encouraging and exemplary Chair and charity recruiter with a great sense of humour and humanity - and I like her lists!
@clarewhiston - a brilliant and inspirational coach, hypnotist and photoreading trainer amongst many other talents (soon to be an elite dragonboat racer!)
@jamesmb - for being a generous, funny #tog with a lawyerly sideline and access to a fabulous boardroom
@candy_l - another lovely lawyer and #goodenough mummy (hang on a minute - she makes cupcakes! - upgrade to #supermum). Claire reassures me I'm doing okay when I'm fretting about having to buy my cupcakes
@PJSPhotography - fabulous #tog and really nice bloke - might usually #tog buildings but is secretly brilliant at capturing people too
@nibby01 - just a lovely writerly lady who makes me laugh and also runs @Chestnutappeal
@alpenwest - because I may not have discovered Twitter without his encouragement!
@Bluegrass_IT - because Dave gave me confidence and again is just a really genuine person
@KristenSousa - who often joins #tlng (see below) and is also a great dog lover - and Molly the Mop is always available!
People I follow who I'd still like to meet in person
@GeorgeJulian - a welfare crusader with a great sense of humour and mischief ;-)
Fellow members of #tlng (the late night gang) @MarkBIGSW @LittleLaura & @Claire_Sloane
@GabrielleNYC - because I can't wait to hear her stories -follow and send get well vibes!
@Chris_Penberthy - who seems to be a very genuine voluntary sector supporter with gsoh - not always synonymous!
@DarenBBC - someone who gets the balance of personal and professional just right - and surprises - FTW ;-)
Eeek - it is 23.53 - just enough time left to post before Saturday so that's all folks. Night y'all (tribute to @treypennington who I am looking forward to meeting at #likeminds!).
Friday, 22 January 2010
Tired and emotional - a day to remember!
Phew - it's been an emotional rollercoaster sort of day. I thought I'd be sitting here this evening all deflated after such a big day but I've shed a tear, had a laugh and still feel excited and delighted by the amazing support Devon Air Ambulance has had today.
From 12 until 3pm today (21.1.10) BBC Radio Devon broadcast from our new airbase at Eaglescott Airfield in North Devon in order to cover its official opening ceremony. It was a great show. Over the course of 3 hours, presenter David Fitzgerald interviewed patients, volunteers, staff and crew live on air, had a tour of the new base and a tour of the aircraft. Morning show presenter Judi Spiers cut the ribbon.
It was great fun and we were delighted with the support we had from so many people. However, the opening was not the only news today. Judi also took the opportunity to announce the launch of the BBC Radio Devon Air Ambulance Appeal (you'd think we planned it eh?!). [see http://bit.ly/7VA9sd & http://bit.ly/8gM5VX]
Over the last few weeks the BBC have interviewed a few of our patients and also followed the crew. For a couple of weeks they've been broadcasting 'teasers': extracts of these interviews which have helped to build up a sense of anticipation. On the way there, after a restless night, I was obviously listening in and catching some of these. I work closely with two of the people featured and it was really moving to hear the stories which I now know underpin their amazing drive and passion for the cause.
Once up at the base it was a great pleasure to meet so many other patients who had benefitted from the service and volunteers and local businesses who have made it all possible through their incredible fundraising achievements.
So why has the base been named The Steve Ford Airbase? This is in tribute to one of our much loved and greatly missed colleagues who died tragically too soon in a motorbike accident in 2008. [See news: http://bit.ly/6B2Rjk]. Before the BBC broadcast started we had our own naming ceremony with Steve's wife and children. Looking back at the end of the day (nice to be using that over-worked phrase at 23.57 precisely!) this was the briefest but most moving part of the day.
It fell to me to say just a few words before we raised a toast to Steve and fell on the Danishes. The interviews, recorded or live, TV or radio, which followed, were a doddle in comparison and even writing about it now my eyes are welling up. I'm a bit embarrassed about this as I only knew Steve for a year, but he was simply one of the loveliest people I've ever met and it was a very emotional moment.
Steve was warm, funny, over-whelmingly human, talked a lot and made me feel so at home from the first time I met him. He would share the photos on his phone with obvious love and pride for his family and friends, was generous with his always constructive advice and with his time. I had no idea until he died that he had also been a hero in the most real sense of the word, through his work in bomb disposal, but it was not a surprise. The airbase is a real achievement for us and a fitting lasting tribute to Steve - as his son said afterwards, it beats a bench!
So from tears to laughter, which is what he would have wanted! The rest of the day sped past in a blur of greetings, hugs, laughs and interviews. It really was fun - but absolutely bloody freezing (no heating in the hangar!). I was so proud of the team who organised the event and all of the staff who worked hard on the day to ensure everything went so well.
In the car on the way home I listened in to the stories and ongoing coverage and welled up again, this time with the realisation of what a privilege it is to work for an organisation which really does make a difference to people's lives everyday. At home I managed to persuade small boy to forego his usual CBBC pre bed viewing for Spotlight, hanging on to see if we'd be on. Delighted to say we made it through to the final edit and my Mum was happy to report she thought I looked cold. Uh, yesss!
Looking ahead, I am SOOO excited about the huge opportunity we have to engage with a whole new audience through our partnership with BBC Radio Devon. Using all sorts of media, we can really get to know people and they us. Like I said at the top, phew! Sad, nervous, happy, proud, excited, delighted, tears, lots of smiles and laughs and so much more. It is a bit late and also the day after now but I am going to sleep well for what is left of the night. Goodnight!
From 12 until 3pm today (21.1.10) BBC Radio Devon broadcast from our new airbase at Eaglescott Airfield in North Devon in order to cover its official opening ceremony. It was a great show. Over the course of 3 hours, presenter David Fitzgerald interviewed patients, volunteers, staff and crew live on air, had a tour of the new base and a tour of the aircraft. Morning show presenter Judi Spiers cut the ribbon.
It was great fun and we were delighted with the support we had from so many people. However, the opening was not the only news today. Judi also took the opportunity to announce the launch of the BBC Radio Devon Air Ambulance Appeal (you'd think we planned it eh?!). [see http://bit.ly/7VA9sd & http://bit.ly/8gM5VX]
Over the last few weeks the BBC have interviewed a few of our patients and also followed the crew. For a couple of weeks they've been broadcasting 'teasers': extracts of these interviews which have helped to build up a sense of anticipation. On the way there, after a restless night, I was obviously listening in and catching some of these. I work closely with two of the people featured and it was really moving to hear the stories which I now know underpin their amazing drive and passion for the cause.
Once up at the base it was a great pleasure to meet so many other patients who had benefitted from the service and volunteers and local businesses who have made it all possible through their incredible fundraising achievements.
So why has the base been named The Steve Ford Airbase? This is in tribute to one of our much loved and greatly missed colleagues who died tragically too soon in a motorbike accident in 2008. [See news: http://bit.ly/6B2Rjk]. Before the BBC broadcast started we had our own naming ceremony with Steve's wife and children. Looking back at the end of the day (nice to be using that over-worked phrase at 23.57 precisely!) this was the briefest but most moving part of the day.
It fell to me to say just a few words before we raised a toast to Steve and fell on the Danishes. The interviews, recorded or live, TV or radio, which followed, were a doddle in comparison and even writing about it now my eyes are welling up. I'm a bit embarrassed about this as I only knew Steve for a year, but he was simply one of the loveliest people I've ever met and it was a very emotional moment.
Steve was warm, funny, over-whelmingly human, talked a lot and made me feel so at home from the first time I met him. He would share the photos on his phone with obvious love and pride for his family and friends, was generous with his always constructive advice and with his time. I had no idea until he died that he had also been a hero in the most real sense of the word, through his work in bomb disposal, but it was not a surprise. The airbase is a real achievement for us and a fitting lasting tribute to Steve - as his son said afterwards, it beats a bench!
So from tears to laughter, which is what he would have wanted! The rest of the day sped past in a blur of greetings, hugs, laughs and interviews. It really was fun - but absolutely bloody freezing (no heating in the hangar!). I was so proud of the team who organised the event and all of the staff who worked hard on the day to ensure everything went so well.
In the car on the way home I listened in to the stories and ongoing coverage and welled up again, this time with the realisation of what a privilege it is to work for an organisation which really does make a difference to people's lives everyday. At home I managed to persuade small boy to forego his usual CBBC pre bed viewing for Spotlight, hanging on to see if we'd be on. Delighted to say we made it through to the final edit and my Mum was happy to report she thought I looked cold. Uh, yesss!
Looking ahead, I am SOOO excited about the huge opportunity we have to engage with a whole new audience through our partnership with BBC Radio Devon. Using all sorts of media, we can really get to know people and they us. Like I said at the top, phew! Sad, nervous, happy, proud, excited, delighted, tears, lots of smiles and laughs and so much more. It is a bit late and also the day after now but I am going to sleep well for what is left of the night. Goodnight!
Friday, 20 November 2009
I am the steam queen!
Reading our accounts (available here) you might wonder why we don't refocus all our energies on the income streams which have the highest return - legacies and community fundraising or the lottery? The charity shops on the other hand, whilst generating a healthy gross profit by the standards of many businesses, are a relatively costly way of raising money for charity.
This was certainly my question two years ago when I started working for Devon Air Ambulance. I very quickly came to understand that the value of our shops is not just in the income they generate (and benchmarked against stats from the Association of Charity Shops they generate a good return) and it was really brought home to me when I spent last Friday working in our Cowick Street branch.
My god I ached - it has taken me a week to blog this because I have been totally knackered ever since. Really, everything hurt.
You have to understand my normal working day involves a lot of sitting: sitting at a computer; sitting in meetings; sitting in my car driving over Devon's vast road network; all sorts of sitting. Very occasionally I get to stand up: stand up and walk to the meeting room to sit down; stand up and walk to the kettle to make coffee (caffeine please - more of this below); stand up to walk to the car and sit down; stand up and speak then sit down; stand up to go to the loo....you get the picture.
Now, the reason charity shops enjoy a healthy gross profit despite very reasonable prices is twofold: volunteers and donated goods. We are SOOOO lucky to have so many fabulous volunteers who are willing to give up their time to sort through bags of donations, tag them, steam them, price them, put them out in the shop, rotate the stock, recycle the unsaleable stuff (about 50% based on my experience last week - more below!) disposing of the unmentionables, which cost us money to get rid of. We are HUGELY indebted to everyone who makes the effort to not just chuck out what they no longer want but set it aside and donate it to charity.
As part of our job shadowing programme I was a volunteer for the day at Cowick Street and I had a fabulous day. The ONLY thing I regret is not taking my own coffee. I couldn't work out why I had a stonking headache until about 3pm when I discovered I'd been drinking decaf all day! Otherwise, it was a fantastic day.
I sorted, I tagged, I steamed (believe me - I steamed - ladies of a certain age should probably avoid this!), I even priced and twice I was let loose on the till. I met two fantastic volunteers who probably thought I didn't know my arse from my elbow - they were right! I met some customers, regulars and irregulars. I was supported by a great shop manager, Michelle. What I really appreciated though was just what an important role the shops play within their communities.
Like most charities, and businesses nowadays, we have a vision, mission & values statement. The shops embody two of our values brilliantly: they are a vital part of their communities and heavily dependent on the invaluable contribution of volunteers. What might not be apparent to someone new to the organisation is quite how hard these stars work - given they are almost all retired and we are talking physical work.
Thanks to all these wonderful people, as well as the great staff, the shops genuinely represent our roots within the community. They reflect our commitment to being part of the communities all over Devon and they also ensure we have a direct link to local people in their areas. They are a meeting point and a distribution point for volunteers and supporters. They are great fun - people come in to have a laugh and share gossip. They are also plugged into the recycling agenda: as Bob the Builder says, reduce, reuse, recyle.
My day was unremarkable on this front. I know from talking to other people that 'stock' donated to charity shops has included everything from valuable paintings to mummified cats. The worst I encountered was a pair of very well used/soiled cloth slippers with a touching handwritten note explaining that they had not been washed (obvious) but were washable: result - recyling bin. So many people think we have a secret laundry out back!
Based on my experience last week, 50% of what is donated to charity shops is unsaleable. Thankfully, half of this is recyclable - and STILL MAKES US MONEY! I wrote this loud because, unlike Mary Portas, we don't want people to stop sending us fabrics and shoes which are unsaleable because we get paid for recycling them.
Unfortunately, of the 50% unsaleable items, a significant proportion is also unrecyclable and therefore completely unsellable and we have to pay to have removed. Certain things we just cannot accept full stop (white goods, TV's, furniture without fire retardant tags). Unfortunately that doesn't stop people leaving them on the doorstep - more unfortunately, we then have to pay to dispose of them. Aarghh!
So, my overall impressions? I love our shops even more - they are truly community resources for Devon people, thanks to Devon people, run by and for Devon people. Exactly the same as the air ambulances they support. Heartening, funny, hard work and challenging.
This was certainly my question two years ago when I started working for Devon Air Ambulance. I very quickly came to understand that the value of our shops is not just in the income they generate (and benchmarked against stats from the Association of Charity Shops they generate a good return) and it was really brought home to me when I spent last Friday working in our Cowick Street branch.
My god I ached - it has taken me a week to blog this because I have been totally knackered ever since. Really, everything hurt.
You have to understand my normal working day involves a lot of sitting: sitting at a computer; sitting in meetings; sitting in my car driving over Devon's vast road network; all sorts of sitting. Very occasionally I get to stand up: stand up and walk to the meeting room to sit down; stand up and walk to the kettle to make coffee (caffeine please - more of this below); stand up to walk to the car and sit down; stand up and speak then sit down; stand up to go to the loo....you get the picture.
Now, the reason charity shops enjoy a healthy gross profit despite very reasonable prices is twofold: volunteers and donated goods. We are SOOOO lucky to have so many fabulous volunteers who are willing to give up their time to sort through bags of donations, tag them, steam them, price them, put them out in the shop, rotate the stock, recycle the unsaleable stuff (about 50% based on my experience last week - more below!) disposing of the unmentionables, which cost us money to get rid of. We are HUGELY indebted to everyone who makes the effort to not just chuck out what they no longer want but set it aside and donate it to charity.
As part of our job shadowing programme I was a volunteer for the day at Cowick Street and I had a fabulous day. The ONLY thing I regret is not taking my own coffee. I couldn't work out why I had a stonking headache until about 3pm when I discovered I'd been drinking decaf all day! Otherwise, it was a fantastic day.
I sorted, I tagged, I steamed (believe me - I steamed - ladies of a certain age should probably avoid this!), I even priced and twice I was let loose on the till. I met two fantastic volunteers who probably thought I didn't know my arse from my elbow - they were right! I met some customers, regulars and irregulars. I was supported by a great shop manager, Michelle. What I really appreciated though was just what an important role the shops play within their communities.
Like most charities, and businesses nowadays, we have a vision, mission & values statement. The shops embody two of our values brilliantly: they are a vital part of their communities and heavily dependent on the invaluable contribution of volunteers. What might not be apparent to someone new to the organisation is quite how hard these stars work - given they are almost all retired and we are talking physical work.
Thanks to all these wonderful people, as well as the great staff, the shops genuinely represent our roots within the community. They reflect our commitment to being part of the communities all over Devon and they also ensure we have a direct link to local people in their areas. They are a meeting point and a distribution point for volunteers and supporters. They are great fun - people come in to have a laugh and share gossip. They are also plugged into the recycling agenda: as Bob the Builder says, reduce, reuse, recyle.
My day was unremarkable on this front. I know from talking to other people that 'stock' donated to charity shops has included everything from valuable paintings to mummified cats. The worst I encountered was a pair of very well used/soiled cloth slippers with a touching handwritten note explaining that they had not been washed (obvious) but were washable: result - recyling bin. So many people think we have a secret laundry out back!
Based on my experience last week, 50% of what is donated to charity shops is unsaleable. Thankfully, half of this is recyclable - and STILL MAKES US MONEY! I wrote this loud because, unlike Mary Portas, we don't want people to stop sending us fabrics and shoes which are unsaleable because we get paid for recycling them.
Unfortunately, of the 50% unsaleable items, a significant proportion is also unrecyclable and therefore completely unsellable and we have to pay to have removed. Certain things we just cannot accept full stop (white goods, TV's, furniture without fire retardant tags). Unfortunately that doesn't stop people leaving them on the doorstep - more unfortunately, we then have to pay to dispose of them. Aarghh!
So, my overall impressions? I love our shops even more - they are truly community resources for Devon people, thanks to Devon people, run by and for Devon people. Exactly the same as the air ambulances they support. Heartening, funny, hard work and challenging.
Friday, 13 November 2009
What exactly is it you do?
It is wild and woolly outside - again. Average night's sleep over the last 10 days is less than 6 so I'm probably not at my best today! This is not a complaint as it has been a very 'busy in a good way' week and a good one to illustrate what I do and why I still think I've got the best job in Devon!
A small team from DAAT and I started last week with a great 2 day conference with our national association (http://www.airambulanceassociation.co.uk/) topped by a cuddle from the wonderful David Jason, who is patron of the AAA. This time next year, Rodders!
It is very useful to meet with colleagues from around the country, all of us doing things slightly differently but hopefully all responding as is most appropriate for the particular needs of our local areas. Plenty of banter, challenge and mutual support.
Last Thursday we had a fabulous day at beautiful Gidleigh Park with Ann Widdecombe joining us as guest speaker for lunch and Juliet Mills as our speaker for dinner (yes - THE Juliet Mills, film star and daughter of Sir John Mills!).
The whole day was made possible by two fabulous lead sponsors: Rebecca Pope at St. James's Place Wealth Management and Cathedral Financial Management. In addition, Gidleigh Park, Coutts & Co, Langage Icecream, Paxton & Whitfield, Private Cellar, David Clarke all donated fabulous 'money can't buy' auction prizes. The icing on the cake though was Executive Chef Michael Caines introducing and explaining each exquisite course as it arrived. (As I said - the best job in Devon!)
Friday saw me scooting up to Barnstaple to pick up a cheque from Devon based international pharmaceuticals firm Actavis who raised more than £17,500 doing the 3 peaks challenge in 24 wet and windy hours in September. I was really impressed, even the MD took part. Everyone involved had been training for 6 months and it was a great achievement.
On Saturday I braved the elements to travel down to Start Point to meet a potential new volunteer. I don't normally get to do these initial interviews. Probably a good job too as we must have talked for a good 2 hours - she is going to be so helpful to us in a very remote area where we simply can't meet demand for attending events and presentations without our volunteers. Most impressive, this woman had singlehandedly made over 300 scones for a fundraising cream tea on behalf of DAAT, all before breakfast, the day after her daughter's wedding. Boy is she organised!
So far this week has been a mix of management team debate, governance training and catching up with the to do list. The highlight of the week I suspect will be the day I spend job shadowing in one of our charity shops - I am going to be the steam queen.
A small team from DAAT and I started last week with a great 2 day conference with our national association (http://www.airambulanceassociation.co.uk/) topped by a cuddle from the wonderful David Jason, who is patron of the AAA. This time next year, Rodders!
It is very useful to meet with colleagues from around the country, all of us doing things slightly differently but hopefully all responding as is most appropriate for the particular needs of our local areas. Plenty of banter, challenge and mutual support.
Last Thursday we had a fabulous day at beautiful Gidleigh Park with Ann Widdecombe joining us as guest speaker for lunch and Juliet Mills as our speaker for dinner (yes - THE Juliet Mills, film star and daughter of Sir John Mills!).
The whole day was made possible by two fabulous lead sponsors: Rebecca Pope at St. James's Place Wealth Management and Cathedral Financial Management. In addition, Gidleigh Park, Coutts & Co, Langage Icecream, Paxton & Whitfield, Private Cellar, David Clarke all donated fabulous 'money can't buy' auction prizes. The icing on the cake though was Executive Chef Michael Caines introducing and explaining each exquisite course as it arrived. (As I said - the best job in Devon!)
Friday saw me scooting up to Barnstaple to pick up a cheque from Devon based international pharmaceuticals firm Actavis who raised more than £17,500 doing the 3 peaks challenge in 24 wet and windy hours in September. I was really impressed, even the MD took part. Everyone involved had been training for 6 months and it was a great achievement.
On Saturday I braved the elements to travel down to Start Point to meet a potential new volunteer. I don't normally get to do these initial interviews. Probably a good job too as we must have talked for a good 2 hours - she is going to be so helpful to us in a very remote area where we simply can't meet demand for attending events and presentations without our volunteers. Most impressive, this woman had singlehandedly made over 300 scones for a fundraising cream tea on behalf of DAAT, all before breakfast, the day after her daughter's wedding. Boy is she organised!
So far this week has been a mix of management team debate, governance training and catching up with the to do list. The highlight of the week I suspect will be the day I spend job shadowing in one of our charity shops - I am going to be the steam queen.
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