Pick of the Month - December 2024

Welcome to December's Pick of the Month! Dive in to discover insights from some truly inspiring individuals.

Charity Leader of the Month – Rachel Bott, Doddridge Centre

The Doddridge Centre in St James, Northampton is a community centre working to reduce isolation and support those who are vulnerable or in need of additional support. Rachel Bott, the Centre Director, took time out of her busy day to share a little of her story with us and to pass on some sage advice.  

Rachel explained the important work of the Doddridge Centre and how it supports the community of St James:

“I have a small team of fantastic individuals working with me who go above and beyond every day to make a difference. We work with those who are isolated, in need of additional support and the vulnerable. We aim to alleviate poverty and deprivation by providing a variety of services and support.’’ 

Rachel shared a little of her background and what drew her to her current role:

‘’My background is varied having worked in Family Law, Property Law, Human Resources, Schools, Youth Services and Support Services. I took myself to university at the age of 31 to complete a Degree in Childhood and Youth and fell in love with study, so I went on to complete my Masters in Youth and Community Development Studies. On a day-to-day basis I write the funding applications, manage the finances of the charity, oversee the management of the community hub, create new opportunities and experiences for those using the centre, and can often be found cleaning and mucking in with events and activities.’’ 

We asked Rachel what advice she’d give to someone wanting to step into a charity leader role:

‘’Follow your gut and don’t be afraid of failure.  We all start somewhere, and success doesn’t happen overnight, we all make mistakes, and this helps us to grow. Also, take advice from people when they offer it, you may not need it but it’s always helpful to listen and take it onboard for future reference.’’ 

Rachel shared her hopes for the future of the sector, and the changes she’d like to see: 

‘’Partnership working is absolutely one of the most important aspects of working within the charity sector and something I am passionate about ensuring takes place within our community hub. We all work in silo most of the time, and this means that we have no idea what others are doing. We like to change that up here at the Doddridge Centre and encourage partnership working to assist with growing the support and services offered to our community. I would love to see more partnership working and engagement throughout services.’’’ 

Keep up to date with the Doddridge Centre on Instagram @doddridgecentre

Social Entrepreneur of the Month - CJ Webley, Black Pounds Project (BPP)

CJ Webley is the founder of the Black Pounds Project (BPP), a community-driven initiative committed to fostering inclusive economic growth. By providing access to resources, education, and opportunities that are often out of reach, BPP creates pathways for success, helping ideas flourish and people thrive.

CJ was motivated to establish the Black Pounds Project in response to the aftermath of George Floyd’s death:  

“I had a play on at a major producing theatre, and while many companies were putting up the black square on social media, I felt compelled to do something more tangible. I wanted to use my voice and platform to encourage people to take meaningful action beyond just gestures. I saw the need for spaces that would not only amplify diverse voices but also actively work towards creating real change and support for disadvantaged communities.”

CJ shared how it was difficult to separate those who were truly aligned with BPP’s mission from those who simply wanted to be seen supporting it:

"The post-George Floyd era saw a lot of people eager to be associated with movements for equality, but not everyone was prepared to follow through on their commitments. Another challenge was managing expectations, people often assumed we had more resources than we actually did, which created a strain and made it difficult to keep up with the demand for support and programming.”

CJ spoke enthusiastically about his favourite part of the journey so far:

“My favourite part has been delivering successful mentorship programmes, events, and opening our Indespoke retail store in Birmingham city centre, where we showcase products from over 80 different business owners. It’s been incredible to see how this initiative has not only enabled us to grow as an organisation but has also allowed us to hire staff and create more opportunities for others. ”

Finally, CJ offered this advice to aspiring social entrepreneurs:

“Build a team that believes in your vision, even if only half as much as you do. When the going gets tough, they will encourage you to keep pushing forward or serve as a sounding board when you need to pivot. Remember that not every idea needs to be implemented immediately, some concepts take years to mature, but that time will bring valuable growth and perspective.”

To find out more about the Black Pounds Project, click here.

Fellow of the month - Charlotte Aston, English PEN

Charlotte is Head of Development at English PEN, one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations, championing the freedom to read and write. 
She started her career in publishing before moving into the fundraising sector, where she has worked in a range of organisations, including Arts Council England, the Science Museum, Create London and Shelter. 
Charlotte holds a BA in European Social and Political Studies from UCL, and an MSc in Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Bayes Business School, City University of London. 

During our conversation, Charlotte shared some of her experience and what her current role looks like:

"I joined English PEN as Head of Development last September. Having started my career in publishing before working in the Literature team at Arts Council England, it’s an honour to be working for one of the sector’s most prominent literature and human rights organisations. 

As a sole fundraiser my day-to-day comprises a wide range of tasks - at once developing our fundraising strategy, organising engagement events for our corporate partners, leading on CRM implementation, alongside the fundraising itself. I enjoy working with colleagues and stakeholders from across all levels of the organisation including engagement with our board members and Patrons. A very special part of my role includes working with high profile authors and leading human rights advocates to further our mission.’’

We asked Charlotte to consider the key opportunities for English PEN, given the current context in the UK:

"Against a backdrop of increased debate and polarised opinion around freedom of expression in the UK, there is an opportunity for charities like ours to provide platforms for nuanced conversations around these issues. 

Given the results of the recent general election, I’ll be interested to see how the new government responds, and the extent to which it chooses to engage with campaigning charities.’’ 

Looking ahead to the coming year, Charlotte shared what excites her the most about being part of the Fellowship Programme:

"’I’m really looking forward to meeting the other Fellows on the programme, sharing insights from our experiences and learning from each other. It’s so easy to get caught up in your day-to-day routine and it will be a brilliant opportunity to take a step back and reflect on our role within the sector more broadly. I can’t wait to be part of a network of peers to share ideas, debate issues, and celebrate accomplishments, ultimately making us all better fundraisers!" 

Lastly, we asked Charlotte which changes she is most passionate about driving within the sector:

"If I had to pick only one thing (!) it would be to advocate for the role of fundraisers as relationship builders.

Raising awareness of what we do, and how we do it (and dispelling some myths along the way) will only help strengthen our sector in the face of a challenging financial landscape.’’ 

Keep up to date with the work of EnglishPEN on Instagram: @EnglishPen_

Trustee of the Month – Aubrey St Louis, West London Action for Children (WLAC)

Aubrey St Louis serves as a trustee for West London Action for Children (WLAC), a role he came to through a recommendation from a mutual friend. Born and raised in West London, Aubrey has a deep connection to the area the charity serves. His parents emigrated from Grenada to the UK in the early 1960s, settling in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham. This personal link to the community strengthens Aubrey’s commitment to WLAC’s mission. A qualified counsellor, Aubrey was on a break from client work when approached for the role, making the opportunity a natural fit.

Reflecting on what inspires him about WLAC, Aubrey shared: 

“The increased demand for therapeutic interventions during and after COVID-19 far outstripped supply, making me proud to be part of an organisation providing crucial support to vulnerable children and families. The dedication and authenticity of the staff, the diversity and innovation of the board of trustees, and the wonderful volunteers who support our fundraising efforts all inspire me"

Next, Aubrey reflected on the challenges he’s faced as a trustee:

“As this was my first trustee role, joining an experienced and well-run board was initially challenging. I had to bring all my life and professional experiences into board discussions while learning and growing into the role with the support of my fellow board members.”

Finally, Aubrey shared his advice for aspiring trustees:

“I would definitely recommend becoming a trustee, especially for under-represented groups such as people of colour. Modern boards strive to reflect the society they serve, and everyone is an expert in their own experience. Contributing to a board of trustees is rewarding and provides a sense of social purpose that aligns closely with my personal philosophy for life.”

To find out more about West London Action for Children, click here.