February 2023

As someone in the social entrepreneurship game, I’m all for having support from my Board of Directors. I always want to make sure I’m doing my best to look after them like they support my organisation, the communities we serve, and me. This morning’s UnLtd’s webinar with Lorraine Gailey, the Founding Director of Hearing Partners and expert in all things board-related, blew my mind! I wanted to share some key takeaways from the webinar. Do You Need a Board of Directors? The short answer is: Yes, yes, and yes! A good board of directors/trustees is essential for the success of any not-for-profit organisation. A great board can provide valuable input for making tough decisions, especially in the face of changes in the world, funding opportunities, or staff crises. Moreover, some funding opportunities may require a board in place. So, if you’re trying to secure funding, having a strong board can only improve your chances. How to Build a Great Board Now, let’s talk about building a great board. First, you need to understand the skills and expertise needed on the board. You don’t want a bunch of clones who all think the same way, right? So, having a mix of board members with different backgrounds and perspectives is important. This can help to ensure that a range of viewpoints is represented and that the board is not dominated by one perspective. Once you have your board members, it’s important to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. This may involve training or orientation to new board members and ongoing communication and support. Communication is key to a great board, so make sure to have regular meetings, email updates, or other forms of communication to keep board members informed and engaged. And don’t forget to have clear procedures in place for addressing conflicts or other issues that may arise. The Legal Side of Things Now, let’s discuss the legal side of things. Board members are legally accountable for the decisions made by the organisation, while advisory group members are not. So, it’s important to be aware of the legal responsibilities of being a board member. But don’t worry; there is professional liability insurance that can provide protection for board members against legal claims resulting from decisions made in good faith. It may be easier to recruit members for an advisory group than a board, due to the different levels of responsibility involved. But keep in mind that board members may feel a greater sense of responsibility for the success of the organisation, which may lead to a higher level of engagement and commitment. The Question of Voting Rights and Control It’s understandable to worry about losing control of your organisation to a group of people with different ideas and opinions. However, it’s important to remember that having a board doesn’t necessarily mean giving up control. One way to maintain control is to set up the board to retain certain voting rights while still giving the board decision-making power. For example, you can give certain members more voting power than others or set up a system where the CEO has a tie-breaking vote. This way, you can ensure that the board is still making decisions in the organisation’s best interest while keeping control in your hands. Final Thoughts In conclusion, building a strong and effective board requires a commitment to ongoing communication, relationship-building, and evaluation. By working on selecting the right board members and providing ongoing support and feedback, organisations can ensure that their boards are a valuable asset in achieving their goals. So, don’t neglect your board. Build a great one, and watch your organisation thrive!

Join our award-winning organisation and make a difference in the lives of people facing barriers to employment! Beanstalk Business Centre CIC is seeking a skilled and experienced Employment and Skills Mentor to support individuals in achieving their career goals and aspirations. Position Overview: As an Employment and Skills Mentor, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people facing barriers to employment by supporting them in achieving their career goals and aspirations. By taking a person-centred approach, you will work closely with mentees to understand their unique needs and aspirations and provide tailored support to help them reach their goals. In this role, you will engage in partnerships with funding partners, community organisations, and employers, building relationships and promoting the skills and qualifications of mentees. You will also provide mentoring support, helping individuals to develop the skills and confidence they need to secure sustainable employment. Your experience and skills in working with mentees and supporting their career development will be crucial in making this role a success. You will have a passion for helping others, a strong commitment to working in a person-centred way, and the ability to build strong, supportive relationships with mentees, funding partners, community organisations, and employers. This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of people facing barriers to employment and to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable community. Key Responsibilities Essential criteria An important bit Beanstalk Business Support is committed to a diverse and inclusive culture. We promote equality and challenge discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Every member of our team has their own role in relation to Safeguarding – it’s everyone’s responsibility! How to apply We encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity if you are passionate about helping individuals achieve their career aspirations and goals. Please send your CV with covering letter to kerry@beanstalkbusiness.co.uk.

Leaving school is a life changer for every teenager in the country. It’s the start of growing up and taking a step towards adulthood. Many young people follow a traditional route into college and university. Others will find themselves out of work and education altogether, but what if your career and ability to mature was closer than you thought? You want money now, you know what you want to do, you are ready, and you’re willing. You don’t want to sit at home anymore, dreaming without doing. You want an apprenticeship and guess what – you can enrol on one at any time. You can be 16 or 50 to do one. All you need is motivation, dedication, and a belief in yourself. Apprenticeships have been shown to help young people, and those looking to gain the skills and training into a dream career. Having a REAL job, with REAL people, doing REAL activities. The theory and the practical, all in one course. Whether you choose one that lasts one year or five, you will work towards a qualification. This will give you a major advantage over other candidates when the time comes to move on. Not only do you have the education but the experience as well. And it won’t cost you a penny! All apprenticeships are fully funded, you won’t have a student loan to pay back when you start earning. In fact, you will be watching a wage hit your bank account from day one and the income goes up at every milestone you pass. Apprenticeships are available in so many sectors and for everyone. You will be supported, funded, educated, and gain experience that is relevant to you. So, what’s stopping you?

Hey guys! Do any of you ever find yourself waking up in the middle of the night with a million thoughts racing through your head? I know I do! And I’ve come to learn that it’s a common phenomenon, especially among women. But why is it that we always seem to have our most profound thoughts at 3am? I did some digging and found out that our body has its own internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, which regulates when we feel awake and when we feel sleepy. So, when our internal clock goes off at 3am, our mind starts to race and we find ourselves in deep contemplation about everything from our daily problems to the meaning of life. But here’s the thing, the voice that wakes us up at 3am is not our true voice. It’s more like the voice of our inner prankster, who just wants to have a little fun. This voice is the one that convinces us that the problem we had at work today is actually a life-altering crisis and that we’ll never be able to sleep again. So, what can we do to deal with this midnight madness? I’ve got some tips for you: With these tips, you’ll be able to turn your 3am wake-up calls into a positive. So, let me know in the comments if you also struggle with 3am catastrophes and what you do to deal with it!