SARAH SHILLITO, 49 LESSONSIHAVELEARNT the head of The Vodafone UK Foundation (VUKF), which helps charities working with young people, on what her experience brings to her role
“My first experience of volunteering was when I was nine years old, fundraising for the NSPCC. Now I work with charities that help 16 to 25-year-olds who are at risk of social exclusion. VUKF provides funding, but our role is as much about sharing market research and experience with our charity partners. We also find people within Vodafone to provide expertise when charities need a bit of help, for example with a new computer system. Employees at Vodafone are given three days a year paid leave to volunteer.
My background is in human resources, which means I’m used to being a middleman and bringing out the best in people who might not interview well. This is helpful now because we assist charities in putting together pitches for funding from us and from other organisations and I can offer advice on how to present themselves.
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It’s important that I’m not judgmental but I do have to be honest. I try to be a critical and objective friend, appreciating that they are passionate about their cause but also asking awkward questions to make them think. My corporate experience also helps because there are similarities between corporate and charity: you have to manage sustained growth, make business plans and target your market.
We work with up to 70 organisations at a time, helping them to develop evaluation systems so they can measure exactly the value of their work, which puts them in a stronger position when they pitch for funding. I find helping charities in this way is a lot more fulfilling than handing out cheques.”
www.vodafoneukfoundation.org