Ongoing Corporate Volunteering Starts to Make Lasting Change
Update on Impactara coaches volunteering their skills online to make change happen 🌎
In June we announced our very first Change Programme, with Improvement Coaches from Impactara volunteering their skills online to support Social Enterprises addressing a range of challenges across the world. Now we are halfway through the three- month programme, so wanted to give you an update and insight into how it has gone so far.
THE PROGRAMME SO FAR
Impactara is an impact improvement consultancy supporting purpose-driven businesses, charities and Social Enterprises. They wanted to give their coaches an opportunity to use their skills to make enduring change happen, so we launched our first Change Programme with them to do just that!
Prior to the launch of the programme, the eight improvement coaches from Impactara were split into pairs and assigned to a Social Enterprise each based on their skills and the causes that they care about. They were then briefed about the challenges each of the Social Enterprises were facing and the support that they were needing to help overcome those.
THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
Here are the Social Enterprises they are supporting:
The Social Enterprises taking part in the programme are:
Ence: a Norwegian e-commerce platform where they collect the most ethical and sustainable products for you to buy 🇳🇴
Redpanti: who raise awareness of reusable period products, providing product comparisons, users experience and guidance and ultimately increasing the number of users of reusable period products 🇪🇸
Speak Out Revolution: who provide a safe platform for targets of workplace harassment and bullying to anonymously speak out 🇬🇧
Visible Platform: who exist to bring an end to sexual harassment on public transport, making women feel safer as they travel and experience public life 🇬🇧
CHANGE DAY
The Impactara Change Programme then kicked off with a Change Day. During the 5-hour Change Day, the coaches worked with their Social Enterprises to understand the key challenges they face. By the end of the day they then presented a plan of how they would work together to help address them through the programme.
MONTHLY CHECK-IN
Each month during the programme we host a monthly check-in, where each team presents the progress they have made so far. During the first check-in after the Change Day, we learned from the Impactara ChangeMakers what they valued most about the Social Enterprises, and founders, they are supporting. They then presented:
The actions they were going to take following the Change Day
The progress they’ve made so far
The actions they are going to take ahead of the next monthly check-in
NEXT STEPS
We’re looking forward to the second monthly check-in in August, with a Celebration Day in September to showcase the impact the ChangeMakers and Social Enterprises have made during the programme. Stay tuned for the whole story and learn more about how Impactara used their skills to help four Social Enterprises grow their impact!
WHAT CHANGEMAKERS THINK SO FAR
“I really enjoyed the experience. It's an opportunity for business professionals to get a "reality check" and understand it's not all about profit. It’s great to work with people who see helping others as a driver for life, let alone business.”
- Eddie, Impactara ChangeMaker
(Following the Change Day)
“Was great to spend time with like minded social entrepreneurs whilst helping progress their thinking on how to achieve the outcomes they are looking to achieve. It is energising to be part of a day like this.”
- Gerry, Impactara ChangeMaker
(Following the Change Day)
“The problem with harassment in the workplace concerns people around the world. I am impressed that Speak Out Revolution gives a platform for people to speak out, which is not available for everyone. Also very impressed with the research they’ve conducted on the topic. Happy to continue to help!”
- Nikita, Impactara ChangeMaker
(Following the Monthly Check-in)
WHAT SOCIAL ENTERPRISES THINK SO FAR
“Such a valuable strategy session with We Make Change and Impactara - really excited to put our plans into action and make change!”
- Marie Hemingway, Founder & Director, Speak Out Revolution
(Following the Change Day)
“We didn't know what to expect going into this program but we are so glad we did. I already feel more confident and excited to get to work!”
- Cait Sim, Co-Founder & Director, Visible Platform
(Following the Change Day)
“We loved the opportunity to map out subgoals to achieve for the upcoming weeks in this Change Programme, and are left with a motivation for what we are able to do!”
- Racha Hanine, CEO, Ence
(Following the Change Day)
We’ll be sharing a full story at the end of programme to showcase the change that’s been made through the whole Impactara Change Programme.
If you’re interested in engaging your employees by enabling them to volunteer their skills to make change happen, contact us to find out more.
Read more latest news, features and notes from the We Make Change Team below:
