#1 Planning is key
The nature of our work means we must think long term. It’s easy to think just September to July when you’re on an academic cycle. To really grow you need to be thinking longer:
- What fundraising will we need for the next 15 or 20 years?
- What activities do we want to offer?
- How can we ensure we’re building the right team for years to come?
"It’s easy to think just September to July when you’re on an academic cycle. To really grow you need to be thinking longer"
#2 Be proactive
We’ll plan for what we want to happen. But crucially, we’ll also plan for what might actually happen. CYM is 40 years old, and to get to 80, we need to stay relevant to culture whilst being distinct in what we stand for.
We want to set ourselves apart and be unashamed of who we are whilst remaining accessible and not alienating people.
"We want to set ourselves apart and be unashamed of who we are"
#3 Think about the broader picture
In a school setting, we will give consideration to the work the local school may be doing alongside our chaplaincy. We’re there for spiritual and pastoral support, but they are likely to be getting support from other areas too.
#4 Be faith first
I’m fortunate to have a team of trustees who are faith first, from program to finance. We want to be completely open to what God wants.
We’re frequently forecasting a yearly deficit yet there’s a real view of faith from our trustees. It’s inspirational to me. It’ll often be the eleventh hour and God will provide. We’ve really kept ourselves open to that as an organisation.
#5 Make safe spaces
Making spaces safe requires a holistic view across the people, places and programs we run. We always ask, how do the programs we run make the young people feel safe enough for them to be vulnerable, both in groups as well as with our mentoring initiatives.
#6 The 4 P’s of creating safe spaces
To make a space safe you’ll need policies, procedures and protocols. There is another ‘P’ which we thread throughout that. People.
We often ask, do we have the right people to ensure we’re hitting the highest standards we can. We want to be first class.
#7 Rules are good
We want it to be fun and enjoyable but always maintaining professionalism. The message we want for young people to hear is ‘we’re delighted you’re here. Now you are, we need you to understand these things…’.
#8 Get feedback
We have a couple of feedback channels we prioritise. Firstly, anecdotal evidence is a big part of what we do. Secondly, we’ll have young people and staff complete surveys.
#9 Take time to reflect
One of the biggest changes we’ve made is to allow free space and time to reflect. Before, we’d have a busy schedule of activities. It’s massive to have time to decompress.
"Before, we’d have a busy schedule of activities. It’s massive to have time to decompress."
Create space for people to just ‘be’. We’re good at programming, and programming is good but sometimes it can be equally as valuable to give people space where there’s nothing planned.
We live in fast, hectic world but our best work can happen in the gaps too.
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