|
More Philantropy news... in brief, and a last chance to sign up for our Mentoring workshop!
It may not yet quite be the season to be Merry… but it is certainly the season to say “thank you”. As Chair of the WCoMC Charitable Fund I have recently attended two separate events where the recipients of grants made by the Fund have said “thank you”!
City Harvest / Livery Food Initiative
First, I was at the reception held by City Harvest on 9th October at which I was presented with this year's "thank you" plaque for our contribution to the Livery Food initiative. That's the third one! As reported in the previous get to know philanthropy newsletter food insecurity is still a major concern in London and it certainly adversely affects young people adversely which is why we were happy to contribute over the past three years. This was the last event at which the Livery Food Initiative was engaged: it was only ever designed to run for three years. However, PM Denise Fellows is actively involved with City Harvest and I am sure we will periodic updates. Overall, it was an interesting, engaging event, as is the way with such things, I met some people who were very interested in our wider pan Livery pro bono activities, which I will follow up.
Your editor, receiving this year's plaque from Paul Freeston, Chair of City Harvest, on the left, and former Sherriff David Chalk, on the right.
World Heart Beat
Then a week later I was at a "thank you" concert held by World Heart Beat (WHB), at their wonderful venue in Nine Elms, South London. After a short reception we were treated to a concert by a range of students at WHB - see the photos.
This was all very enjoyable and later I was able to meet with “Rob” the studio engineer that we have funded, in part, over the past year and into this year. It was interesting and indeed enlightening to hear Rob's perspective on what he does. Rob’s ambition is to turn the WHB studio into a world class facility, capable of attracting world class talent to record. WHB are well on the way but need more investment in equipment such as specialist microphones. Rob also shared with me insights into what he does with the students. On one hand it is obvious that he teaches the students how to use the recording studio technology and everything that goes into being a studio engineer, but “everything” includes some important softer people skills. For example, Rob explained that one of the key skills in a studio engineer is to have a great sense of anticipation: to know what an artist wants before they know it themselves and to be ready with the right answer, the right equipment, the right setup, or whatever. He teaches this almost psychic skill by example. Also, students are often overwhelmed with the need for precision, first time execution and getting things done promptly and swiftly. A recording session can be booked sometimes for only three hours and an overrun will quickly double the cost (and so damage the studio’s reputation). So being prompt, efficient and effective (all those great management terms) is vital to ensuring the long-term success of the WHB studio. Rob instilss this need for rigour and timeliness by getting the students actively involved in real commercial recording sessions. It is always great to learn from grant beneficiaries directly about how our grants have helped them but on this occasion it was fascinating to hear from the person benefiting directly from out grant about his impact on young WHB students.
I'll leave the last word to Sahana Gero MBE (Artistic Director and Founder): "Thank you so much for the wonderful support of the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants and for the cheque of £5000 .... Your support is absolutely treasured by us and thank you so much."
---000---
I hope this short update has been helpful in terms of providing some extra feedback over and above what we get from the charities themselves. More in 2026. But finally....
Make a Real Difference—Become a ProBono Mentor!
Are you passionate about giving back and supporting the NonProfit sector? Mentoring is at the heart of WCoMC’s values, empowering both our Members and the wider community. It’s not just about helping others, it’s a powerful way to grow personally and professionally. Our mentoring workshops are designed to be practical, interactive, and truly rewarding.
Why Join Our Mentor Team or Attend the Workshop?
- Enhance Your Skills: Discover new approaches, practical tools, and proven templates to elevate your mentoring.
- Boost Your Confidence: Learn how to support leaders effectively in Voluntary and NonProfit organisations.
- Learn by Doing: Enjoy hands-on, interactive roleplay exercises that make learning fun and memorable.
- Transform Your Approach: Shift from simply advising to truly listening—a vital skill for every mentor.
Whether you are an experienced mentor or just starting your journey, this workshop is for you! Join us on 6th or 25th November and connect with like-minded individuals who share your commitment to making a positive impact.
Limited spots available! For just £25, you will receive all materials, refreshments, and a buffet lunch. Ready to make a difference? Click here to learn more and book your place.
Steve Cant
Editor
|
