Join BIG Alliance’s 2025 Leaders in Partnership programme
Join BIG Alliance’s 2025 Leaders in Partnership programme
By Forida Rahman, Project Manager, BIG Alliance
The Leaders in Partnership (LiP) programme is a community coaching programme designed to strengthen the leadership of the charity and not-for-profit sector in Islington. By creating partnerships between the managers of people, projects or organisations from the community sector and their peers in the corporate world, Leaders in Partnership aims to help community leaders build their capacity and perform their work more effectively.
Leadership roles in the charity sector are often demanding and isolating, with staff frequently juggling multiple responsibilities that can lead to being overstretched and, at times, burnt out. LiP provides a confidential space for community sector staff to build leadership skills, gain fresh perspectives, and connect with a non-judgemental peer who offers long-term support and guidance.
Applications are now open for BIG Alliance’s 2025 cohort of LiP – and the statistics speak for themselves when it comes to why business volunteers and community organisations should get involved. BIG’s 2024 cohort benefitted hugely from the programme. Community partners who answered the survey said they feel their confidence has increased in the following leadership competencies:
- Problem solving – 100%
- Confidence – 100%
- Resilience and wellbeing – 100%
- Influencing – 100%
- Strategic thinking and planning – 100%
“Throughout the programme, I have gained a much clearer understanding of the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a CIC, thanks to my coach’s support, knowledge, and experience. He has helped me strip things back and take a fresh perspective on certain aspects, which has been invaluable in improving my competencies.”
– Community Partner Participant 2024
Volunteers who answered the end of programme feedback survey, said they feel their confidence has increased in the following coaching competencies:
- Honest feedback – 67%
- Motivating and inspiring – 100%
“It has been a satisfying and rewarding experience for me having coached a CEO. This was mostly due to engaging a chairperson of the Trust (in the three way contracting) as well as engaging with 6 stakeholders directly to highlight the intent-impact gap in my client. The assignment became more systemic which meant the impact was far reaching within the organisation.”
Overall, in this coaching cohort of 2024, 100% of respondents recommended the programme.
If you are a community partner looking for a coach, or a corporate volunteer who would like to develop coaching skills, get in touch with Forida Rahman at Forida.rahman@thebigalliance.org.uk.
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