Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) was delighted to celebrate the achievements of eight inspirational local charities this week, as they marked the conclusion of the Building Effectiveness 2024 programme. The celebration event, kindly hosted by
The Kings Arms in Berkhamsted on Wednesday 21 May, recognised the hard work, dedication and progress of charity leaders who have spent the past eight months developing stronger, more strategic and resilient organisations.
Since its launch in 2016, Building Effectiveness has supported over 70 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Hertfordshire. The 2024 cohort once again demonstrated the immense value of investing in leadership and organisational development within the sector.
Led by experienced Effectiveness Coaches Dawn Harrison-Wallace and Vivianne Child, the programme provides tailored 1:1 coaching, experienced business mentoring, and a series of six in-depth leadership workshops hosted at the home of Building Effectiveness founder, Will Hobhouse, in Sarratt. The combination of peer learning, personal reflection and strategic planning equips charity leaders with the skills and confidence to navigate organisational challenges and drive positive change.
Each participating charity CEO worked closely with their Effectiveness Coach and dedicated Business Mentor to develop a Strategic Business Plan, focused on a key area of development for their organisation. Over the eight months, leaders tackled complex issues ranging from governance and financial sustainability to leadership succession and team culture.
The leadership workshops covered essential topics such as leading organisational change, building high-performance teams, growth and sustainability, and leadership values. These sessions provided practical tools and frameworks as well as a valuable opportunity for charity CEOs to step away from day-to-day pressures and reflect on their leadership role within the wider sector.
This year’s Building Effectiveness programme was proud to support the following eight organisations:
The closing event brought together charity leaders, programme mentors, coaches and supporters to share achievements, lessons learned and future ambitions. The event also marked another successful year of Building Effectiveness, made possible through the ongoing commitment and generosity of Will Hobhouse, whose vision has been central to the programme’s growth since its inception.
HCF extends its congratulations to all eight charities for their commitment to building a stronger, more impactful VCSE sector in Hertfordshire.