Something we don’t often share or shout about is the work we do to support Boards and groups of Trustees (often from smaller charities) by facilitating Board Away Days. These are vitally important opportunities to step away from the usual schedule of meetings and as Trustees are giving their time, sometimes early evenings or weekends, it’s even more important that these Away Days are productive and fruitful
By working collaboratively with charity leaders, we provide a dedicated and focused space to:
- Maintain strategic alignment – ensuring a shared consensus for the organisation’s vision, mission and long-term objectives.
- Encourage open dialogue – fostering positive and inclusive working relationships, and creating opportunities to know each other a little better.
- Focus on critical issues – facilitating rich and meaningful discussion on key strategic issues which may not always be possible within the usual meeting schedule.
In the past 12 months or so, we have been commissioned to design and deliver a number of bespoke, in-person Board Away Days that have provided charity Boards of Trustees with the time and space to achieve the above in a supportive and psychologically safe environment. Whilst not strictly speaking traditional equity, diversity and inclusion ‘work’, we have the added advantage of embedding the principles of inclusivity into our approach, often working with charitable organisations who provide vital support to marginalised and vulnerable individuals in the community.
Some examples of facilitating Board Away Days that we have designed and delivered recently include:
1. Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid – an Alice in Wonderland themed day to explore the thinking styles of Trustees and members of the Senior Management Team with activities designed to identify and prioritise future objectives and consider the necessary resourcing requirements.
“A big thank you for your fabulous facilitation. Feedback from the day has been fabulous. Everyone really enjoyed it – so engaging and really got everybody contributing.”
Kelly Andrews, CEO, Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid
2. Age UK Sunderland – an engaging and interactive half day workshop to review progress made against their 3 year Strategic Plan and providing an opportunity to build positive working relationships with some newer Trustees and colleagues.
“A brilliant day enjoyed by both Trustees and staff. Thank you Lucy and Karen for a great session. Lots to think about and we’re excited for the next steps for Age UK Sunderland.”
Anthony McDermott, Trustee, Age UK Sunderland
3. Pride Action North – a half day facilitated workshop with Trustees and members of the Senior Management Team exploring the key components of good governance and identifying future objectives and priorities.
“A huge thank you to Lucy and Karen for their expert facilitation. Their guidance helped us tackle some very big questions, explore new opportunities and stay focussed.”
Darren Irvine-Duffy, Chair, Pride Action North
As these Away Days don’t come around very often, we believe there is a real responsibility to make these opportunities count and so we work closely with Chairs and CEOs to create a productive and structured environment. Facilitating useful and supportive discussion and enabling progress to be made in some challenging operational environments supports leadership vision to be transformed and translated into meaningful action.
Our ability to design and deliver such imaginative and engaging workshops has led some of our charitable clients (including Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid and Age UK Sunderland) to become repeat customers, utilising our facilitation services on a number of occasions. This in turn enables us to ‘pick up where we left off’ whilst also continuing to be fully independent and gently challenging if required.
To arrange a non-obligation discovery call to find out more about how we could support your Board or Trustee Away Day, please contact Lucy or Karen.
