Poku Pipim Osei FRSA

Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. Learn how donors can use the assets in their donor-advised funds (DAFs) to make impact investments, which can in turn be granted. #ImpactInvesting #Philanthropy #DAFs #DonorAdvisedFunds

1

Interesting article in @Cityam today by Stephen Timms arguing for a partnership between government and the impact economy: https://lnkd.in/eEYekcwm He specifically calls for the creation of an Office for the Impact Economy, as a  a joint Treasury-Business and Trade unit; saying "We need a new partnership between Government and the impact economy, putting shared values into practice to build a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all." Regardless of the result on Thursday, I hope that all parties will recognise the role that #SocialEnterprises and #Charities can and must play to unlock capital in order to tackle some of our most complex social challenges.

7

*** 2024 GRANT FUNDING NOW OPEN *** Cornwall Women's Fund is now accepting applications for our 2024 grant funding! We aim to support community projects in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly supporting women’s mental health. For this round of funding projects with a focus on perinatal mental health will be given preferential consideration. In 2021, a team from Oxford University undertook in-depth research into the needs of women and girls across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. They considered existing research where it was available and interviewed charity and community leaders, and women from across the county to get a true picture of what really mattered to them and which areas it was difficult to find funding for. (Read the report here: https://bit.ly/3QLpgdv) One of the 4 key areas in their report “Understanding what matters to women and girls in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly” was women and girls mental health, identifying a particular lack of support for those accessing perinatal mental health services. Our Members have voted the area of Women and Girls Mental Health for our 2024 grant funding and we are now accepting applications. Grants range from £500 to a maximum of £1,000 Our grants are administered by Cornwall Community Foundation and you can find more information and details of how to apply here: https://lnkd.in/gY3Ryzy

15

Pleased to be quoted in People Management magazine today on Over half of business leaders report staff absence due to problems accessing public services, TUC reveals. More than half (59 per cent) of business leaders say staff have had to take time off in the last year because they struggled to access public services, a poll by the trade union congress (TUC) revealed. The survey of more than 500 business leaders further explored the specific challenges faced by employees, finding that more than a third (35 per cent) had staff absent from work due to delays in receiving hospital treatment. To read article in full click 🔽 https://lnkd.in/ejJjwUcg 10Eighty #socialcare #business #economy #privatehealthinsurance #staffabsences #affordablechildcare #workingparents #privatehealthcare #flexibleworking CIPD

4

1 Comment

Today is Black Leaders Awareness Day! A day to celebrate the incredible contribution of Black leaders in business and to commit to dismantling barriers to progress for emerging Black leaders in business. Last week at the Empower launch event we were lucky enough to hear from three of this year’s Black Empower Role Models Tom Shropshire, Afua Kyei and Jo Ogunleye. They shared their personal stories with a room full of business leaders and advocates and their practical tips for driving inclusion for people of colour in business. I’m so grateful for leaders like Tom, Afua and Jo and want to use this day to give them a shoutout for being amazing business leaders and paving the way forward for others too! Some wisdom that they shared last week include: Tom: “Leadership is a choice.” Which is so important, as is choosing the way you lead. Are you inclusive in your leadership? Afua discussed the importance of self-belief in sustaining success and how believing strongly in her own capabilities and passion was crucial to her career progress. Jo expressed her commitment to visibility for members of her own community. Leveraging the platform and influence she has earned in her career to send the elevator back down for others. Black employees in business still face systemic barriers when it comes to attaining success in business. Allies, it’s vital that you use your platform and influence to enable Black employees to succeed. Some things that you can do: Sponsorship. Sponsorship is an effective intervention for advancing Black talent, but according to research by McKinsey, only 5% of up-and-coming Black employees succeed in winning sponsorship. Allies – promote equity in business my sponsoring your organisation’s emerging Black future leaders. Eradicate biases Do you know what your biases are and are you actively correcting these so that they don’t hold Black employees back? Whether it’s affinity bias or harmful stereotyping leaders must be questioning, unlearning and eradicating biases that hold Black leaders back. Education Are you clued up on the barriers that Black employees can face? Educate your organisation’s allies through trainings and workshops so that they build a base knowledge on the histories, local contexts and challenges Black communities can face to strength allyship within your workplace. What would you add? Leave your tips in the comments! If you’re not sure where to start, our teams at The Black British Business Awards, TNON - The Network of Networks, INvolve - The Inclusion People and Audeliss can enable your organisation to become a place where with Black leaders can thrive. 🖤 #BlackLeadersAwarenessDay #Black #race #ethnicity #inclusion

116

8 Comments

Prior to joining the team at Understood.org, I never considered the collective value in a more inclusive and accessible workplace environment. Things as simple as creating and sharing agendas before meetings, designating note takers, and normalizing summarizing + verbalizing meeting takeaways in real time were often overlooked in my previous organizations. Creating more inclusive spaces for some really does benefit us all. And many of these cultural changes are seemingly minor and extremely beneficial to most! 💡 If you have some time, I strongly encourage you to check out our workplace support hubs. It has some great resources + best practices and even outlines some of the accommodations you could be requesting at work to support your learning and thinking. #neurodiversity #neuroinclusion #workplaceinclusion

28

“Our partners and networks have been raising the alarm about systemic racism, injustice and violence for many years. “Systems change work needs deep, long-term investment and care in the most affected communities.” Together with other funder intermediaries in the UK, we are bringing together our networks, infrastructure and skills to focus on four key priorities. Read more in our joint letter with Funders for Race Equality Alliance, The Justice Together Initiative and Migration Exchange (MEX). Together, we urge long term action - and for the power dynamics in funding “to change for good”. https://lnkd.in/dUBKxJBP

33

Charities and Government Excellent Research from Pro Bono Economics who have published a very useful free resource for charities https://lnkd.in/e_a8ybFN . This says "The 2024 General Election brought 335 new MPs into the House of Commons. For the many charities that seek to influence parliamentarians, this creates a significant challenge. That’s 335 new MPs to research and sift through to try and understand if they might be inclined to support a charity’s cause. "Many small charities cannot afford parliamentary monitoring systems or expensive agencies to do that sifting for them. If hundreds of organisations all undertake the same research into those MPs’ backgrounds, it means massive amounts of duplication and wasted time for already time-starved organisations. Also see https://lnkd.in/ebSvCG_Y which explains that "Experience in the charity sector has accelerated the most dramatically of all with this new Cabinet. #Starmer has appointed eight #Cabinet members who have previously worked within the charity sector. That is a quadrupling of charity experience at the top of government." CFG : Charity Finance Group Charity News Association of Charitable Foundations Association of Chairs The Resource Alliance Charity Excellence - a FREE one-stop-shop for everything a non-profit needs.

15

3 Comments

*** 2024 GRANT FUNDING NOW OPEN *** Cornwall Women's Fund is now accepting applications for our 2024 grant funding! We aim to support community projects in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly supporting women’s mental health. For this round of funding projects with a focus on perinatal mental health will be given preferential consideration. In 2021, we worked with a team from Oxford University that undertook in-depth research into the needs of women and girls across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. They considered existing research where it was available and interviewed charity and community leaders, and women from across the county to get a true picture of what really mattered to them and which areas it was difficult to find funding for. One of the 4 key areas in their report “Understanding what matters to women and girls in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly” was women and girls mental health, identifying a particular lack of support for those accessing perinatal mental health services. Our Members have voted the area of Women and Girls Mental Health for our 2024 grant funding and we are now accepting applications. Grants range from £500 to a maximum of £1,000 Our grants are administered by Cornwall Community Foundation and you can find more information and details of how to apply here: https://lnkd.in/e_ECFKh4 #funding #grant #cornwall #womenandgirls #mentalhealth #givingcircle

10

Our Commitments to Supporting the Black MS Community At our organisation, we are keenly aware of the struggles faced by individuals within the Black MS community. We are committed to making a meaningful impact through various initiatives aimed at providing support and fostering connection. Here’s how we plan to achieve this: 1. Safe Spaces for Discussion: We are dedicated to creating safe spaces where individuals can freely share their experiences and challenges. Our Membership platforms will serve as vital venues for these conversations. 2. Access to Research: It is essential for the Black community to be involved in research efforts that directly affect them. We are working diligently to ensure access to relevant studies and findings. 3. Collaborative Partnerships: By collaborating with organisations that focus on the needs of the Black MS community, we can enhance our impact and ensure that our collective voices are heard. 4. Support from Healthcare Professionals: We aim to engage healthcare professionals who understand the unique challenges faced within the Black MS community, ensuring comprehensive care and understanding. 5. Combating Isolation: Our commitment extends to combating social isolation through workshops, masterclasses, and community events, enabling connections among like-minded individuals in a non-judgemental environment. 6. Community Products and Merchandise: We are excited to provide products that support your journey while raising awareness in our community. 7. Volunteer Opportunities: We welcome individuals who wish to join us as volunteers or board members. Your contributions will play a crucial role in shaping our programmes. 8. Establishing a Helpline and Counselling Services: Recognising the need for mental health support, we are actively working on establishing a helpline and counselling services for those seeking assistance. 9. Increasing Community Engagement: We acknowledge there are gaps between our meet-ups, and we are focused on increasing participation through a variety of activities. Our dedication lies in supporting you throughout your journey. Together, we can work towards breaking down barriers and fostering a stronger future for the Black MS community. Thank you for being part of this mission! #BlackMSCommunity #Support #Advocacy #CommunityEngagement

3

I absolutely love this and CALL ON MY NETWORK and the Young Trustees Movement to please give this the attention it deserves. Sindy Jones and I have been privileged to work with Winston's Wish with our ANHH Consulting Ltd hats on over the last 18 months or so. It’s a wonderful charity that puts the views of beneficiaries at the centre of decision making and taking. Good governance in charities depends on many things, but there are two at the top that are reflected here. 1) Lived experience Anyone can be a good Trustee, but a life story that relates to the charity’s objects - in this case, childhood bereavement or bereavement in childhood - will always bring real added value (so long as you recognise the risk of bias that this can create). 2) Protected characteristics With the same caveat as above, this is a charity that works predominantly with and for young people - so one’s age as a Trustee could add or subtract value. And nor are other protected characteristics unimportant. We know that the impact of childhood bereavement is felt more keenly in some communities. What can you do to influence change? These are two things that I grappled with when a Trustee of Teenage Cancer Trust and Chair of the Donna Louise Children’s and Young People’s Hospice. I hoped I was a competent Board member, but how could I compensate for the less than fully relevant parts of my life journey? For instance, I’d been seriously unwell as a youngster but not with cancer. If you recognise the challenge you’ll likely be successful in managing it. Liz Gratton Neil Musgrove and the other Trustees and their colleagues on the executive team Winston's Wish have got this right - and I congratulate them for it. Do yourself, them and countless people you may never meet a favour and pursue this opportunity. You won’t regret it. #governance #trustee #beneficiaries #youngtrustee

5

5 Comments

Are you a charity leader interested in learning from your peers? Our series of tips & advice for charity and not-for-profit clients & consultants answers questions on strategy, fundraising, recruitment & interim management, mergers, governance and social investment. https://lnkd.in/eGRHPMHw #charityadvice #charitytips #charityblog #charityrecruitment #charitymerger #charityfunding #charitygovernance #CharityLeader #SocialInvestmentTips #FundraisingAdvice #GovernanceInsights #CharityStrategy

5

Are you a charity leader interested in learning from your peers? Our series of tips & advice for charity and not-for-profit clients & consultants answers questions on strategy, fundraising, recruitment & interim management, mergers, governance and social investment. https://lnkd.in/eGRHPMHw #charityadvice #charitytips #charityblog #charityrecruitment #charitymerger #charityfunding #charitygovernance #CharityLeader #SocialInvestmentTips #FundraisingAdvice #GovernanceInsights #CharityStrategy

1

Are you a charity leader interested in learning from your peers? Our series of tips & advice for charity and not-for-profit clients & consultants answers questions on strategy, fundraising, recruitment & interim management, mergers, governance and social investment. https://lnkd.in/eGRHPMHw #charityadvice #charitytips #charityblog #charityrecruitment #charitymerger #charityfunding #charitygovernance #CharityLeader #SocialInvestmentTips #FundraisingAdvice #GovernanceInsights #CharityStrategy

2

In the new government, we have more Cabinet Members and MPs with experience of the voluntary sector than ever before – a great opportunity to ensure that charities are front and centre in political discussions and decisions. With the overwhelming majority of smaller charities still citing income as their main concern – unchanged in over a decade – what can we realistically expect the new government to do for the sector? It’s highly unlikely that there will be substantial financial support for charities, but we can ask for public and formal recognition of the vital role the sector plays in society. MPs and ministers can help to educate everyone on how modern charities work, on our close relationship with government in service delivery, and on how our funding is structured. Without charities, we’d all struggle to maintain and enjoy our daily lives, and we’d lose so much in terms of community and companionship. With a new government elected on the promise of change, let’s make sure that change happens for charities too. Every Minister should be for and speak up for charities – let’s hear it for and from the Labour government. Full article: https://lnkd.in/e3ZgwQZ4

68

12 Comments

As a trustee, how confident are you that you’re asking the ‘right’ social impact questions? This is one of the key challenges I'll be raising today as I train the 105 trustees who managed to secure a spot in the session I'm running (we were so oversubscribed, we had to close bookings!). Today's session on good governance is part of the ongoing trustee training offered by our Social Value UK member, Buzzacott. I’ll be delivering it alongside partners Edward Finch and Hugh Swainson. Good governance is a passion of mine, stemming from my legal background in compliance and regulation, my NED experience, and my work in politics, where The Nolan Principles have always been at the forefront. So, how would you answer the question? #GoodGovernance #TrusteeTraining #SocialImpact #NolanPrinciples #Leadership Rebecca Lett Becky H.

8

It's that time of year... many people are planning festive events. If you want to ensure your events are equitable and make the kind of splash you're hoping for, don't miss this week's issue of The Equitable Innovator for 4 Tips for Equitable Event Planning. (Subscribe here, and get your copy Thursday evening: www.tidalequality.com/blog ) #equitableevents #inclusiveevents #equitableinnovation #eventplanning

1

This is well worth a read if you are seeking grant funding. Some great tips here thank you Gill Pipkin. Writing bids is time consuming and so often pressured with short deadlines. So important to do the groundwork, be prepared, read the funding criteria carefully, write in simple terms and avoid jargon, tell your story of who you help, why and the difference you will make but make sure you are answering the question being asked! Take any opportunity to build a relationship with your funder. #charity #fundraising

7