CoRe 2017 Case Study - MEWSO
Focused support leads to confidence and clear outputs
Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation (MEWSo) was started in 2010 to address the longer term difficulties faced by victims of prejudice, domestic violence and other trauma. MEWSo brings women together who have experienced similar situations. Its core activities are health- related workshops, advice and guidance, counselling in different languages, befriending and networking events.
The project
MEWSo were looking for business support to underpin the successful growth of its activities. It is a small charity with one part-time organiser and sessional counsellors and relies on its volunteers to offer its range of services and activities. It has little capacity to tackle the strategic and organisational planning needed to help it grow.
The project team
The Chief Executive was joined by two volunteers from Macquarie and one from Slaughter and May. The second Macquarie volunteer joined at the half way point.
Achievements
First business plan developed and agreed by trustees
Funding application templates created and three applications completed
Research completed into Quality Standard Marks
CEO mentored
Organised and hosted a stakeholders seminar
Impact
The project provided a clear business focus, which was needed. The CEO says that she feels much more confident in leading theorganisation forward, particularly valuing the personal support the volunteers provided. In the long term, through developing the first comprehensive business plan that this charity has had, volunteers have helped to provide an ongoing framework for the CEO, a sole employee.
The project provided a challenge to the volunteers. They scoped how to best support a micro-charity in a way in which it can sustain and worked outside their areas of expertise, delivering a suite of positive and lasting outcomes.
“They pushed me a lot and helped me to see through all the ideas to have a business perspective.”
“They helped me define what the organisation wants over the next three years.”
Laura McCarthy Cronin, Associate Director Macquarie Group:
1. What was your personal highlight of the programme?
Working with the founder of the organisation to design a business plan and strategy to expand the reach of her organisation into more London boroughs in addition to the four she currently operates in.
2. How did you use your skills differently?
It was very rewarding to adapt the various skills we use at Macquarie for the benefit of a charitable organisation, for example analysing the charity’s strengths and then reporting these succinctly in funding applications.
For more information on the full CoRe programme visit our CoRe pages. If you'd like to access CoRe for your organisation get in touch with info@thebigalliance.org.uk