Literacy Volunteers
Literacy Volunteers in Nottinghamshire Schools is a registered charity that enriches young people's lives by assisting with their literacy, communication & social skills. Working in partnership with schools across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Literacy Volunteers provide trained volunteers who make reading and communicating enjoyable to those at risk of disengaging from education. As well as going through the Health Check process to assess the organisation's existing capacity and future needs, and attending training and networking events, Literacy Volunteers were provided with 5 days of consultancy time by the CMS, with the aim of supporting 'Envisioning and Business (Strategic) Planning'.
Before the Change Team.
Literacy Volunteers tended to be a rather insular organisation aware that many changes were going on in the Voluntary Sector but not totally sure of where to go to for information on the full picture and where to seek clarification on any issues that were raised.
The organisation had also reached a stage in its development where it had to decide if it would progress or stand still. The Charity was very keen to capitalise on its successes and exploit them in order to help as many children as it could.
Literacy Volunteers were keen to know that how they were managed and administered reflected the best practices in the sector.
Where we are now and what input the CT has had on the current position.
Following the results of discussions and the "Health Check" carried out we now know how we appear to an outside organisation, our strengths and areas we have to develop more to progress in the future.
We have been able to receive information on the public service reform agenda and talk about the issues with people who can interpret the information for us and explain the possible courses of various actions available to us. We have a "one-stop-shop" for help and information.
Being provided with the services of a Management Consultant, the ensuing envisioning process and concentration on our Mission Statements and Strategic Objectives has opened up many new fields to be cultivated and ideas to be explored. New challenges have been raised and perhaps some radical alternatives to the way we operate will have to be considered.
Our consultant's help and assistance has been first class and we have a great deal to think about, make decisions on and do! The process continues!
Richard Wray
Manager, Literacy Volunteers
18 September 2006