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With much of the world in lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus, working from home is the new normal for many. Our guest blogger and freelance writer Nicola Greenbrook offers suggestions on how to work productively, interact socially and look after our physical and mental health. ​ How to work well from home We are living in exceptional times. The virus that emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan has caused a global COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of writing, the UK is in lockdown, the shutters have come down on all non-essential shops, schools and nurseries are closed, and many charities are in crisis. Government guidance advises people to work from home where possible, travelling only when it is essential. But for those unaccustomed, or averse, to homeworking, it can take a while to adjust. Throw into the mix that our partners/flatmates/children are our new colleagues, how can we work productively and efficiently from our homes - and keep our minds and bodies healthy? ___________________ Create a designated workspace The spread of coronavirus has been rapid; one day you were at work, the next creating an ‘office’ in your flat amongst the laundry and hunting under a pile of magazines for a pen. Before you do anything else, prioritise setting up a clear and defined workplace, separate from your home life where possible. If this is the kitchen table for the time being, ensure it's clear, free of coffee cups and has easy access to power. HSE's Display Screen Equipment (DSE) workstation checklist offers clear guidance on areas such as chairs, screens and lighting. Adding a personal touch to your workspace might help with the adjustment to homeworking (best to avoid dedicating an entire working day to #workspacestyling though). Kim Watson, comms freelancer and co-founder of holistic therapies business The House of Palms finds that it increases her productivity: ‘I have a proper workspace, a desk with plants, pictures, candles and natural light etc. All things that make me feel happy and wanting to work - that helps!’ Establish a routine and set boundaries I'm an HR Specialist for an IP law firm in the City for three days a week and a freelance writer at home for one day and weekends (plus a Mum in between). This provides clear boundaries and compartmentalises my working week. However, the lines are currently blurred; each part is now worked from home. It’s an unprecedented situation for most of us; there’s no commute to act as a physical divide and we've literally brought our work into our homes. So what can we do to restore some order? Creating a simple plan for the week ahead can help stay on track; try scheduling activities against set times and get to know when you’re ‘peak you’. If, generally, you’re less dynamic in the afternoon or susceptible to energy slumps, consider doing less creative work then. If working alongside a partner or flatmate/s AND children, and without a separate room to work from, at least delineate a space that is solely yours. Over breakfast each day, consider holding a team meeting with your ‘new colleagues’; discuss and agree the hours you’ll each work (especially if caring for/homeschooling children as well) and how you like to work (loud music vs complete silence etc). Then be prepared to compromise and be flexible - we’re all in this together! ___________________ Watch the clock It’s tempting to work all hours just because we can. Stick to your regular office hours where possible and commit to meetings in your diary rather than pushing them back. Establish a routine; stop for lunch and utilise morning and afternoon breaks to do a quick house chore or grab a drink - and step away from the screen. Work steadily, stay focused and STOP at a set time - then switch off. It's unlikely you'd run back to the office at 11pm after an evening out, so there’s no need to head back to your laptop at home. Stop looking for distractions There’s something about being in your own home that feels more comfortable, don’t you think? Sure, you could squeeze in some pre-work Netflix over a bowl of cereal, but can you stop at one episode? What about chores? Are you finding it hard to ignore the messy kitchen cupboard /peeling paint/huge pile of stuff to sort out? Yes? You could be procrastinating; save the decluttering for the weekend. Mirror your homeworking day with your office one. If a relative or friend wants a chat in the middle of the day (rather than it being a genuine concern or emergency), politely reschedule for lunchtime or post-work. It's important to digest public health information, but avoid getting bogged down in multiple sources, too many WhatsApps or unreliable social media posts. Don't let a quick peek at your phone become a Twitter marathon. ___________________ Be healthy in mind and body Working from home can be challenging and isolating, and you might be feeling a certain level of anxiety and distress. Explore some coping mechanisms that could alleviate feelings of uncertainty. For example, limiting social media (and visiting positive accounts only like Upworthy), using meditation and relaxation apps, reading a book or sitting in the garden to restore a sense of calm and wellbeing. Mental health charity Mind offers some brilliant advice on coronavirus and your wellbeing. Try exercising in your former commuting time (for your mandated, one form of exercise a day) to start or end the day in the right way. Runner's World has some good tips for staying active during social distancing and the Guardian suggests the ten best online (and free) home workouts. Stay hydrated and eat well, avoiding the temptation to fall into a pattern of idle snacking and ransacking the crisps cupboard at 10.00am. NHS factsheet ‘Water, drinks and your health’ provides some helpful reminders on this. Finally, ensure you follow sanitation and good hygiene practice to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at home too. Wash your hands and clean your keyboard, phone and other equipment regularly. Here's a reminder of the advice on this, via the CIPD (or click for pdf): Stay in conversation Maintaining some form of human connection while homeworking is essential, and emotional support is a critical part of our physical and mental wellbeing. If your workload allows, contribute to team chats or group emails when you can so you don't drop off the radar. Consider a virtual coffee break with your team and ask what they’re working on, come up with ways to support each other and share what’s on your list (or your mind, if you feel comfortable). Jot Form offers some great ideas for online business tools and ways to communicate, such as using a video conferencing tool like Zoom for meetings with multiple attendees, hosting courses, and webinars. And finally… • Get dressed - It’s tempting to jump straight into it and conference call in a work top with pyjama bottoms, but before you know it, it's 3pm. Get showered, first. • Support local businesses - Consider signing up for an online yoga class with a local teacher, order takeout as a lunchtime treat from a café and buy your basic necessities from a local shop. • Learn how to homework - LinkedIn Learning’s remote working course can be done in small chunks and includes insight from entrepreneur Arianna Huffington. • Reach out - If you're struggling, don’t hesitate to speak to your HR team for support or access any employee assistance programmes available. ___________________ These are unsettling and worrying times, and a huge period of change for the UK’s workforce. You may be feeling out of control right now, but try to focus on the things you can control (washing your hands, taking exercise and breaks, eating well and drinking fluids) rather than what you can’t. Take it day by day; get to know what works for you to get the best out of homeworking and stay in good physical and mental health. Stay safe and well - and indoors. Nicola Contact Nicola, check out her website, or follow her on Twitter. ​ The coronavirus pandemic is a fast-moving and developing situation and official advice should always be taken. You'll find the most up-to-date information via the UK Government, NHS or World Health Organisation sites. More from Nicola Greenbrook How to set goals (and stick to them in style) ► Podcast your way to workplace wellbeing ► How to be assertive at work ► More from the Harris Hill blog Should you be working for a large or small charity? ► Smarter than the average bear: the Charity Series Quiz Night champions! ► Caudwell Children: Building a better world for disabled children ►

Previously in 2020: fires, floods, locusts and a global plague, but if you're not playing Apocalypse Bingo and you're keen to hear about our inter-charity quiz (or just desperate for literally anything new to read by now), you’re in luck! A quiz to remember Cast your mind back if you can, to the halcyon days of February 2020: that carefree age when you could leave the house at will to go around touching your face and buying toilet paper with abandon. It was in this bygone era, when gathering hundreds of charity people in a bar was a convivial prospect rather than an invitation to certain doom, that the 2020 Harris Hill Charity Series Quiz Night took place. And rather good it was too. You’ll perhaps be wondering who held the winners’ trophy aloft, but let's not get ahead of ourselves - who knows how many months we might have to spin this out for - so firstly some very well-deserved thank-yous: to our wonderful hosts at Patch St Paul’s, who’ve hosted countless times and always manage to make a hectic night look effortless with smiles all round; and to our quizmasters extraordinaire Rob Wyatt and Matthew Glass, not to mention all the rest of the organising committee who work so hard to bring these events together so brilliantly. The big draw There are also thank-yous galore when it comes to the other big draw of the night, the fundraising raffle, which this year will make a real difference close to home, contributing to a much-needed specialised wheelchair for Muscular Dystrophy's Ravi, who never misses an event despite living with the condition himself. We’ve had some fantastic prizes before but this year’s selection was surely the biggest and best to date, all donated thanks to the huge generosity of the organisations and businesses below that we would strongly encourage you to go and frequent! Not right now obviously – they’ll be closed and you might get arrested, which is never as much fun as it looks. (In no particular order, that's Vauxhall's Embody Wellness and Floatworks spas, the Movember Foundation, Mondo Brewery, Northcote Biscuiteers, Linnaen restaurant and spa, Headcase Barbers, stylish retailer Oliver Bonas, Psycle Clapham, Sadhana Yoga & Wellbeing, the Sipsmith Gin Distillery, Beefeater Gin Distillery and a small team you may be aware of called Manchester United Football Club!) There were even more prizes on the night too - we don't have all the details in this new home-working world, but our huge thanks to you too! Of course there’d be nothing raised if nobody bought tickets, so an enormous thank you to every single person who did, and once again to our CEO Aled Morris for bumping up the total quite significantly to raise a fantastic final figure of £2,200! ---------- And so to the winners… There are some familiar names among our titans of useless trivia this year, and after a closely-fought contest there was a tie for second place between 2018 winners the Canal & River Trust, who nearly barged (sorry) right back to the top, and the combined talents of The Brooke and C40, collectively known as The Globetrotters! But out in front and fast becoming Charity Series legends, a team who know things as well as they throw things (given their second place in 2018's quiz and victory in November's bowling), our congratulations go to the irrepressible Citizens Advice aka The BearOs! All of which begs the question, can they follow up those consecutive quiz and bowling triumphs by doing the triple and topping this summer’s charity softball league? Sadly the coronavirus may have something to say about that, as we wait to see the extent of its impact on the 2020 season. Naturally the committee will be watching developments closely and doing whatever can possibly be done, but safety of course comes first, so all we can say for now is watch this space! Just not all from the same place, obviously. Until next time - whenever and wherever that may be - take care and stay safe! Team HH x More from the Harris Hill blog Should you be working for a large or small charity? ► ​ The Harris Hill and CharityJob 2019 Salary Report ► How to be assertive at work ► How to set goals (and stick to them in style) ► Back to the blog homepage

Ever wish you were more assertive, when those 'few little requests' become a giant mountain of work? Our guest blogger, freelance writer and HR specialist Nicola Greenbrook has been finding out how, with insight from professionals in and out of the charity sector. How to be assertive at work Assertiveness is an essential workplace skill, but can be tricky to apply if you’re an introvert or have trouble speaking up. Many of us avoid being more assertive through fear that our colleagues, and boss, will think badly of us. Yet, taking on just.one.more project despite a full inbox can lead to over-work, over-tiredness and overwhelm - not to mention a dent in your personal life. So, how can we reclaim the power? Should I be aggressive, passive or assertive? First, let’s explore these different behaviours: • Aggressiveness can be defined as ‘a determination to win or succeed, and the use of forceful action to do this’. Fictional fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly is a wicked master of this. • Passivity on the other hand is ‘acceptance of what happens, without active response or resistance’. Always going with the flow and yielding to other people’s demands can lead to burnout and resentment. • Assertiveness falls somewhere between the two extremes. Not simply being calm, confident and firm with your convictions and decisions, being assertive is a state where you approach situations assuredly and objectively and are happy to seek feedback, aware of the growth and development it can bring. A satisfying compromise. Assertiveness in the charity world For people working in the third sector, the need to balance assertiveness with empathy - listening to service users, understanding their circumstances and inspiring action - can often be a particular challenge. In a recent LinkedIn thread, the author had observed the number of women in her office who over-apologised (for getting into the lift, having the door held open for them or just taking up space). As part of the discussion, Garry Wilkinson, Head of Charity Partnerships at Vintage Cash Cow considered whether being a chronic apologiser isn’t necessary limited to women. ‘Maybe it’s also something to do with sorts of people who work in the Third Sector; they tend to be people with high levels of empathy and are very conscious of the feelings of others,’ he suggested. Christina Grant, an executive coach and trainer for the fundraising sector has considerable insight in this area. She believes the fundraising role is fundamentally an influencing one. However, she observes that whilst her trainees are drawn to the sector by a desire to make a difference, limited budgets can often mean they lack adequate training or support in influencing and assertiveness. Fundraising also attracts a high number of women. Yet senior teams, major donors and senior leaders in organisations remain predominately male-dominated - and so influencing is even more critical. She believes the fundraiser has a challenging role, because in a first meeting with a donor or supporter, ‘they have to be seen as friendly and warm whilst also being authoritative, knowledgeable and credible’ so as to be trusted with a gift. Women also face even greater challenges at work when they start displaying assertive behaviours in the workplace which are then deemed as ‘bossy’ or overly aggressive. So what can we do to address this? The power of words We’ve all heard people say ‘you need to be more assertive!’. But what if you can’t find the words or find yourself apologising instead? Olivia Dunn, Head of Marketing and Communications at Halpin Partnership Ltd has observed women and men disempowering themselves with the words they use at work. In her insightful article ‘The shortcut to empowered communications’, she offers valuable advice on using emboldening language without bravado. Olivia suggests ditching ‘just’ (‘I’m just part-time’) and ‘I think’ which can dilute your point before you’ve even made it. She makes a compelling argument; it’s not the words you add in but the ones you remove which can empower you. Why it's win-win to be assertive at work Being professionally assertive can increase your self-confidence and lower your anxiety and dependency. It can also help you stay in control and communicate more effectively and healthily. A graphic designer from London shared with me how assertiveness worked for them: ‘Last year I worked on a particularly messy job for a lovely client.’ they explained. ‘Remaining assertive throughout the project meant the experience for both me and my client remained positive - even when the project became a source of stress. The feedback at the end of the job was that I handled things with grace’. Setting clear boundaries about what they were OK with in their own mind before conveying them externally, as well as taking control when requests from clients or others feel ‘too much’, was a useful strategy for them: ‘Instead of saying ‘no’ and explaining why I can’t do what they want, I try to respond positively. I explain what I CAN do and when, or I pass them on to someone who may be able to help, instead of giving the impression they’re inconveniencing me. If someone ignores or shuts down my assertiveness with a passive-aggressive response (including no response), I’ve learnt to let it go, move on and find people to work with who are a much better fit.’ How to be assertive! Assertiveness may not be an innate characteristic for everyone, but it can be learned and developed. Christina Grant emphasises the importance of body language and gestures in key meetings, especially when making first impressions. She explains, ‘For example, it’s important for women to seat themselves in prime spots in a meeting room and to be present in the room physically’. She points out that seemingly little things can affect this; being overly concerned about everyone's comfort and refreshments or taking responsibility for taking notes when no one else does. ‘This can sometimes damage our own credibility without us realising it (although if a woman has enough confidence she could take notes and make tea and it would not have an impact on how she is perceived)’ Christina explains. She also encourages women to ‘open’ meetings with a two-minute, strong introduction, to ensure other attendees know they're ‘leading’ the meeting and will sense their authority. ‘It should help other people to relax and feel confident that you have a plan and you're in control - not in an aggressive way, but rather a signal that you’re confident in your world’. Here are some final strategies on being assertive at work: • Practice outside of work first. Build up your assertiveness muscle; speak up about bad service or ask for the table you want at a restaurant. • Set clear boundaries. Career and business coach, Nathalina Harrison likens good assertiveness to good parenting. Put clear boundaries in place on how you want to be treated and communicated with and be clear about the consequences if they’re not adhered to, whether upwards (your manager and stakeholders), sideways (your peers) and downwards (your direct reports). • Be analytical. If you want to be assertive but you're hesitant and reluctant to speak up, do a quick analysis of the situation. What’s the worst that could happen? ______________ Assertiveness is an invaluable skill. It can bolster your career progression, improve your visibility and credibility in meetings and strengthen relationships with colleagues, clients and contacts. Being confident in your approach, removing disempowering words and setting clear boundaries will ensure you nail it at work. I’m certain you’ll like your assertive (not aggressive) self a lot better than the passive, exhausted resentful one and soon that mountain of work won’t look so daunting. Just don’t be Miranda Priestly, OK? That’s all. Nicola Greenbrook - HR Specialist and Freelance Writer Contact Nicola, check out her website, or follow her on Twitter. More from Nicola Greenbrook How to set goals (and stick to them in style) ► Podcast your way to workplace wellbeing ► How to negotiate a pay rise in the charity sector ► More from the Harris Hill blog Should you be working for a large or small charity? ► Caudwell Children: Building a better world for disabled children ► The Harris Hill Charity Series 2020 ►

HRRRRRRRRNNNNK! HRRRRRRRRNNNNK! Yes, as you’ve so rightly guessed, that's the unmistakable sound of the Harris Hill Charity Series klaxon signalling the start of the 2020 Series! But what is the Harris Hill Charity Series? We decided to ask the question. In slightly larger blue type. What is the Harris Hill Charity Series? We’re so glad you asked. In the most straightforward terms, it’s a series of three fantastic inter-charity contests that just get more and more popular by the year: February’s big quiz night (more of which in a moment), bowling night in November, and right through the summer from May to August, the daddy of them all: the London Charity Softball League! For us, it's also a way to give something back to the sector we love working with. We can’t claim credit for organising the events – that’s all down to the tireless and super-committed committee from numerous charities who heroically (and entirely voluntarily) do the hard work in their free time to make it all happen, and who we really can’t thank enough. But we're delighted to have been lead sponsor since time immemorial, currently estimated to be somewhere around 2005. If you’re under 35 or so, that’s a year from the distant past when you were probably still at school or uni, while for the more ‘vintage’ among us it’s one of those that feels about three months ago and cannot possibly be FIFTEEN YEARS already. Yikes. How can my charity get involved? Via the aforementioned committee who you can read about here and here, and much like the other A-Team, ‘if no-one else can help... and if you can find them' (ideally Mr Leo Visconti, founding father of the softball league) maybe you can sign up for the next available event. All charities are welcome, and if you're keen to play softball but don't have the numbers for a full team, do not despair: many of the league's top teams are a hybrid of two or more charities working together, a great example of the collaborative and supportive spirit that makes the league something really quite special to be part of (but still fiercely competitive!) Meanwhile, speaking of hybrid teams and the next event... It's the 2020 quiz night! Yes, tomorrow if you're reading this today (Feb 24th), today if you're reading this tomorrow, and 'some time ago' if you're watching this on catch-up, the Harris Hill Charity Series Quiz Night is back! Around 40 charities will be heading to the fabulous Patch St Paul's, where the winning combo of Can Mezzanine and Disability Rights UK (aka The Cantelopes) took top honours in 2019, very closely followed by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and Lumos. Just a few rounds of challenging questions now stand between us and knowing who's the smartest in the sector (SPOILER ALERT: probably not us), and there are some particularly fantastic prizes to be won in this year's fundraising raffle. So our huge appreciation and a round of applause if you will please, for these brilliant businesses who've kindly donated prizes, including Vauxhall's Embody Wellness and Floatworks spas, Mondo Brewery, Northcote Biscuiteers, the stylish Linnaen restaurant and spa, Oliver Bonas, Psycle Clapham, Sadhana Yoga & Wellbeing and the ever-popular Sipsmith Gin and Beefeater Gin! One last note for those attending, don't forget to bring some cash for raffle tickets if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning one of these brilliant prizes (and there are more to come!), may the best team win, and we'll see you there! Team HH x More from the Harris Hill blog ► View all current charity vacancies ► ​

Does size matter? It’s a question we’re certainly not the first to tackle - if that’s the word - but what size of charity is best for your career? The bigger the better? Or do the best things really come in small packages? Here's what our fundraising team and deputy CEO Faye Marshall had to say in a 2019 article for The Fundraiser (relevant for most other charity jobs too), updated here for the blog. Should you be working for a large or small charity? As specialist recruiters we work with charities of all sizes, helping fundraisers find those best aligned with their priorities. For some the environment or location will be more important than progression, for others career development may be paramount, and for many of course, the cause in question will be top of the list. Sometimes only one type of charity will do, but in many cases there are both larger and smaller options, each with their own advantages. So how do you know where to go? Appropriately enough there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but what we'd recommend generally depends on three things: where you are in your career, your experience to date and where you ultimately want to go. Let's start at the beginning. Starting out If it’s your first charity job, the best place for your baby steps may be the biggest organisations. That might sound counter-intuitive but as with any new job, there’ll be downtime while you learn the ropes and won’t be fully productive. You’ll also need training, and someone with the time and resources to deliver it. All of this means there are costs, which are often unaffordable for small charities operating on little more than Hobnobs and hope. However their larger counterparts are more likely to have support for new starters in place, as philanthropy manager Annabelle Burt told us of her role at NSPCC: "Starting my charity career in a large organisation has without a doubt been the best decision I’ve made. The organisation invests a great deal in personal development, and they’ve already given me countless opportunities to attend nationwide conferences and training with the best in the business. I’m given all the support I need to succeed in my role and really value being able to learn about different areas of the charity sector from collaborative working with other departments."​ Stick or twist? Perhaps you’ve now got a couple of years under your belt, doing direct marketing for a major charity. You're enjoying it, maybe even to the point you can't imagine doing anything else - but nevertheless it’s usually wise to diversify. Specialising too soon may limit your options later – for example after six solid years when you see the perfect direct marketing job, but the candidates you’re competing with have four years in DM and two in other fields. Many employers will favour your competitors for their more varied, well-rounded experience. And the same of course applies should you change your mind and want to branch out later. So it’s worth trying different things: don’t put yourself in a pigeon-hole unless you’re prepared for the possibility of living there permanently. Like beanbags, debt, and conversations with people who’ve taken up CrossFit, they’re easier to get into than out of, and best avoided if possible. Shifting down can be the best way up Moving to a smaller charity is often a fantastic way to branch out. Leaving that large DM department behind, you might now be a team of one - and it's unlikely to be the only thing you do. Whatever your job title might suggest, in a small team you’ll always need to help each other out, which could mean events, community projects, partnerships with local businesses and more. And with few support staff you’ll likely do more than just fundraising, which could mean admin, marketing, media relations, procurement (somebody’s got to buy the teabags) or even catering and hospitality, because those cakes for the big event won’t bake themselves. It's a challenge for sure, but a great way to develop existing skills and discover others you didn't know you had, while gaining diverse and multifaceted experience that's likely to broaden your future options. Speaking of which... Further into your career: where next? By now you’re perhaps looking for your third or fourth fundraising job, and having worked for both larger and smaller charities you’ve got the experience to go in either direction. The best move now largely depends on where you're ultimately looking to go, so it's a good time to take stock and think hard about where that is. Then, consider what you've done and more importantly, what you haven't yet done to help you to get there, and aim to plug any gaps that could hold you back. If you’re aspiring to a directorship with a top ten charity for example, you’ll need to start boosting the big-name experience on your CV. Ultimately it may just come down to the environment you prefer, and on which side of the whole big fish/small pond question you feel more at home. Both have their advantages (and drawbacks) of course, so here are some that we've yet to cover: ► Autonomy can be huge part of the appeal: if you’re the entire corporate fundraising team, guess who’s in charge? If you’re used to following procedures and losing even your most brilliant ideas to multi-layered, glacially-paced approval processes, the freedom to chart your own course is both liberating and exhilarating. ► As a result you’ll be very hands-on, designing and delivering your campaigns from end to end. You’ll get to do it all yourself, the only drawback being that you’ll have to do it all yourself, but there’s a lot of satisfaction in making things happen. Whatever you do will be noticed, so you can bask in the credit when it works - though of course with nowhere to hide if it doesn’t. ► That close connection with leadership helps small charities to be more agile, changing course more quickly than their bigger brethren. Getting the whole organisation on board with your new initiative is a lot easier when you can fit everyone in one room. ► Usually you’ll also be close enough to your beneficiaries to see that you’re making a difference – something fundraisers buried far from the frontline in a major charity HQ may envy. ► Having a well-known name can have significant advantages in key areas like fundraising and marketing. For one thing, if you don’t need to explain who you are, you’ve got more time or space to make your case. And there’s no denying it looks good on your CV. That said, while a big name might open some doors, it isn’t always an advantage: a 2018 study by the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership found public trust in national charities significantly lower (at just 29%) than in local community charities (43%). ► However, you’ll have more resources to call on in your fundraising efforts, and often on a larger scale: partnering with a major corporation for example, or a national TV advertising campaign, experience you’re unlikely to gain locally. ► Arguably the clearest advantage is the prospect of progression. If you’re the events person for a small charity but want to manage a team, you’ll either need to grow the charity considerably (and fast) or move somewhere big enough to have one. Even if there’s a role above you to aim for, there could be a long wait before it’s a vacancy. By nature, larger organisations will have more opportunities more often, so there’s more chance of moving up without having to move out entirely. What about salaries and benefits? Things are more evenly matched when it comes to things like flexible working and staff benefits. Both large and small charities tend to score highly, but large-scale events and the social side of bigger organisations may give them an edge, depending on your preference. As for salaries, check out the Harris Hill & CharityJob 2019 Salary Report which has market rates for more than 120 different roles in the sector, including differences in pay between small, medium and large charities. While larger organisations do appear to pay a little more in general, as you might perhaps expect, the full picture is rather more complex. Most of the disparity is at senior levels, based on larger remits and scope, but at the junior end there's often very little difference. There are certainly big name charities who offer small starting salaries, knowing their brand alone will bring in new talent, just as there are smaller organisations paying above average to attract potential staff. So at least in the early part of your career, charity size is unlikely to have a huge impact on pay. You might earn a little less at a smaller charity, but that could pay off handsomely in future thanks to your greater breadth of experience. So where should you go next? Most of the fundraisers we work with move between both large and small organisations several times in their career, and it’s a good strategy. The strongest CVs have a balance of both, and the breadth of experience you’ll gain will give you the option to move in either direction. Meanwhile if you’re switching charity sizes, be sure to read the job description in detail. Jobs with the same title may have very different remits depending on the size of charity, so know what you’re in for and be wary of assumptions. Don’t let the bright lights of a big brand blind you to what’s actually a more limited role, for example, or dismiss a superb opportunity on account of a name that you’ve never heard of. And if you’re not sure of your next move, consider where you eventually want to be, and what’s missing from your CV to get there. The chances are that’s your answer. Final thoughts: we've inevitably made some generalisations here, and for every trend we’ve mentioned there are charities busily bucking it. But both large and small charities can offer superb career opportunities, and the best advice we can give is to make the most of them however you can. Plenty of factors can make a great employer, so a charity’s size isn’t everything. Believe it or not, it really is what you do with it that counts. Faye Marshall, director of permanent recruitment and deputy CEO, Harris Hill ​ Search all charity jobs ► More from the Harris Hill blog How to negotiate a pay rise in the charity sector ► Charity Careers 5: meet SPANA's Chris Oak, Associate Director of HR ► How to write a great supporting statement ► The Harris Hill and CharityJob 2019 Salary Report ► Return to the blog homepage

A better world for disabled children That’s the aim of Caudwell Children, the unique charity founded in 2000 by entrepreneur and philanthropist John Caudwell, better known then as the man behind Phones 4U, and we’ve got five fantastic opportunities to be fundamental to their fundraising team. Specifically, they're seeking experienced fundraisers to join them as: • Head of Events • Philanthropy Manager • Partnerships Manager (x 3): three positions in which you'll focus on corporates, SMEs or government partnerships, depending on your skills and expertise About the charity With a vision to create a world where all disabled children and their families have choice, opportunity, dignity and understanding, the organisation reached a key milestone in May 2019 with the opening of the Caudwell International Children’s Centre. Based in the Science and Innovation Park at Keele University in Staffordshire, the centre is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility that's been purpose-built to deliver innovative services and ground-breaking research that could change the way some disabilities are treated, potentially affecting millions of people around the world. Now recognised as one of the fastest growing children’s charities in the UK, the organisation's running costs are fully covered through the unique association with the Caudwell family, allowing them say with legitimacy that 100% of direct donations are used to directly support disabled children. Naturally that's a real advantage for fundraisers, and just one of the factors that makes each of these key opportunities such an unusual and exciting proposition. So exciting in fact, that we couldn't do them justice with job ads alone, so we built a dedicated microsite to tell you much more about them and this unique organisation. Just click below to get started! More from the Harris Hill blog ► Top regional charity jobs for #UKCharityWeek 2019 ► And the winners of the Harris Hill Charity Series bowling AND our Golden Softballs competition are... ► The Harris Hill and CharityJob 2019 Salary Report

We’ve genuinely been so busy placing brilliant charity professionals* all week that we’ve yet to properly celebrate #UKCharityWeek, though do check the Twitter feed to see what others have been up to. Thankfully nothing says celebration like a hastily-cobbled-together blog, so here's a whistlestop tour of some of our top charity jobs around the country right now, just in the nick of time. * Every time this occurs by the way, a celebratory choon of the consultant's choice is briefly blasted out here at Harris Hill HQ to great delight (and some rather less-great singing). Since they’re rather good at this recruitment lark, this can happen many times a day. However, being December it's Christmas songs all the way, on which the blog will say only this: don't feel too bad if you mess up an interview this month. Yes, you might not get the job, but you’ve probably spared someone 30 seconds of Slade and if that isn’t making a difference to society we genuinely don’t know what is. Back to the matter in hand though, and unlike every UK weather forecast you’ve ever seen, let’s start in the North and work down. ​ LEEDS, WEST YORKSHIRE Director of Finance and Resources (6 - 9 months) We're in Leeds first of all, here in the heart of the Northern Powerhouse - which will be brilliant just as soon as we’ve got some power. And some houses. We jest of course, because as anyone who already does will tell you, Leeds is a fantastic place to live and work, well-connected and thriving with all the arts and attractions, retail and restaurants, sports facilities and splendid architecture you could ever need. Not to mention a quality of life that many of us crammed into the lower corner of the country can only dream of in our cupboard-sized flats. This is a 6 to 9-month interim role with considerable responsibility, which is reflected in the salary of £61,000 per annum (pro rata) plus company benefits, or a day rate for the right person. Click the job title (or here) for the full ad, and our finance specialist Simon Bascombe is the man in the know if you’d like to find out more. KEELE, STAFFORDSHIRE • Associate Director of Resources • Head of Events • Philanthropy Manager • Partnerships Manager x 3 To the other side of the Peak District now, and while it might seem like one of those places that only exists in the minds of motorway services planners – Charnock Richard, Leigh Delamere, Gordano-for-heaven’s-sake, 'Reading' - it turns out that Keele is both real and more than just an opportunity for overpriced sausages on the M6. It’s got a highly-regarded university for starters, home to the Keele Science and Innovation Park, which is where you’ll find the brand new, state-of-the-art Caudwell International Children's Centre. Founded in 2000 by the hugely successful entrepreneur and philanthropist John Caudwell, then better known as the man behind Phones 4U, Caudwell Children has a vision to create a better world for all disabled children, and is now one of the fastest-growing children’s charities in the UK. They’ve got ambitious plans for the future too, hence our current search for six new fundraising professionals to join their 53 existing full-time staff, but there’s so much more to tell you that we’ve created a Caudwell Children microsite specifically for that purpose - go check it out! Demonstrating an equally innovative and ambitious approach to the term ‘South West’, Ben Pountney of our South West office in Bath is your contact for more on these superb opportunities. BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS Head of Corporate Development An hour down the aforementioned M6 brings us to Britain’s second-biggest city - just don't mention this in Manchester - where we have a fabulous (darling) opportunity with one of Birmingham’s best loved theatres. Once at the heart of the West Midlands' car manufacturing industry, Birmingham has since moved on to other leading roles and currently stars as one of Britain's best-kept secrets, continually surprising unsuspecting audiences with how nice it is these days. As Head of Corporate Development for the theatre you’ll focus on fundraising, developing a corporate development strategy, establishing and building partnerships and (hopefully) delivering lots of lovely income as a result. And in the role of 'corporate fundraising specialist who'd be delighted to tell you more', ladies and gentlemen, please would you welcome...Miss Hannah Laking! CHESHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Community Fundraiser Legend has it that around the turn of the 11th century a large group traversing the country in search of Amersham became lost in the Chilterns, where they happened upon a similar group traversing eastwards in search of the mythical Cheshunt (probably to resolve some longstanding beef with Tesco). Tired of traversing, and each tribe declaring the other ‘quite fit, actually’, they settled and thus was the town of ‘Chesham’ created, after narrowly-but-wisely rejecting ‘Amershunt’ in a town hall vote. These days, due to its position as the very last stop, it's almost exclusively populated by people who've fallen asleep on the Metropolitan line. Admittedly these tales may not bear scrutiny by fact-checkers – even the fake ones – but what’s undoubtedly true is that we have a brilliant opportunity for a community fundraiser in the Chesham area to join a small but mighty organisation. Cardiomyopathy UK is the specialist national charity for people affected by this type of heart disease, providing support and information services, raising awareness of the condition, campaigning for better access to quality treatment, and promoting research. It’s a wide-ranging role where everything you do will make an impact - one of the benefits of smaller charities - and our community fundraising specialist Harriett Stevens has all the details if you’d like to know more. BRISTOL, er...BRISTOL Supporter Care and CRM Manager Individual Giving Fundraiser Westward bound now, to a Fairtrade city and the first in the UK to win European Green Capital status in 2015, named the UK’s most environmentally friendly in 2017 and World Vegan Capital in 2018, a UNESCO City of Film that’s been declared the kindest and most artistic in the UK, voted best city to live in by the Sunday Times in 2014 and 2017, and one of the ten happiest cities to work in by The Guardian. Albeit only at number ten so y’know, pull your finger out Bristol. Yep, it’s fair to say that Bristol has pretty much everything going for it, and these days that even includes a nearby Harris Hill office, where our South West specialist Charlie Webb would love to hear if you’re interested in one of these excellent roles. Both based in Bristol itself, the first leads on supporter care for a conservation trust, helping to sustain the region's vital nature reserves, while the other is in individual giving for a well-established and highly influential disability charity with international reach and ambitions. Check them out here and here and do get in touch with Charlie if your boat has been duly floated. ​ SIDMOUTH, DEVON Chair and Trustees For the last leg it’s straight through 'Gordano country' and down to the idyllic Devon coast for our final resting place at The Donkey Sanctuary, an all-too-plausible outcome in so many of our lives, we suspect. That said, there are few better places to end up than the beautiful home of the world’s leading authority on donkeys and mules and one of the world’s largest equine welfare charities, with ten sanctuaries around the UK and Europe and reaching approximately 1.8 million donkeys and mules in almost 40 countries worldwide. They’re a fantastic organisation for whom we’ve recruited a number of roles before, so there’s a wealth of further information on our Donkey Sanctuary microsite available here. Meanwhile the posts we’re currently working on are for three key members of the board: the chair of the board of trustees, and two of those very trustees, one with expertise in finance and the other in the management of property and estates. Naturally our very own leading authority on all things equine is your contact for these positions, Mr Ben Pountney. That’s the end of our tour for now, but while December’s traditionally a quiet time in recruitment world, we’re bucking the trend and starting to add new jobs for January 2020 already, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the site if you’re contemplating a new year move. View all jobs ► Meanwhile we hope you’ve had a fantastic #UKCharityWeek 2019, and if we don't speak before, have a great Christmas too! Team HH x More from the Harris Hill blog ► And the winners of this year's Charity Series bowling (and our Golden Softballs competition) are... ► How to set goals and stick to them in style ► The Harris Hill & CharityJob 2019 Salary Report ​

However fulfilling our work, there may be times when it starts to feel a little stale. Even the most sprightly can struggle to stay invigorated with an overflowing inbox, the usual monthly report and another lengthy project meeting to attend. For this month’s guest article, freelance writer and HR specialist Nicola Greenbrook explores why the job we love can sometimes hit a rocky patch and offers some valuable antidotes. A new job is a bit like starting a new relationship. There’s the attraction phase (job hunting and networking), the dating stage (the exciting first few weeks and induction) and then the disappointment stage (the ‘what have I done, I want to go back to my ex-job!’ panic when you’re confirmed in post). Thankfully, the stability stage follows (at last, knowing everyone’s name and what your job actually entails) before the commitment stage (in for the long haul, chasing progression). But, what if it feels like you’re permanently stuck in the disappointment stage? What do you do if the stability stage isn’t quite as comforting as you'd like it to be, and the commitment stage is a bit musty and in need of a freshen up? According to a Personal Group survey reported in The Week, just 41% of of Brits are happy most of the time at work, a decrease from 51% in 2017. It makes for gloomy reading, but 26% report that they are almost never happy in the workplace at all. So, what can we do to go from disgruntled to delighted? Stop, reflect and diagnose the issue If you’re feeling dissatisfied but can’t quite put your finger on exactly why, now might be a good idea to take stock. • Ask yourself some direct questions and answer yourself honestly. How long have you felt like this? Was there a trigger point you can recall? Is there a root cause or several factors making you feel demotivated? Is it just work, or are there bigger life issues at the heart of it? • Get to know yourself from the inside out and consider your core values, key work motivators (i.e. reward, recognition, teamwork, culture) and the things you’re truly passionate about. Then, see where your current role falls short of meeting your requirements and assess what you can do to fill the gaps. • Book in time with your HR or Learning and Development team, and consider taking a personality test to analyse what it shows about the kind of work you truly enjoy doing (and what you’re doing now). Seek guidance from a mentor or a life coach if you feel a more detailed exploration is necessary. _______________________ Speak up If the job you once loved dearly has lost its spark, don’t suffer in silence or let your disgruntlement intensify. Schedule in an informal meeting with your manager outside of the formal review process, and ensure you prepare to avoid a moan-fest. Clearly outline the issues with a positive mindset and be willing to present and discuss solutions. Ask for their perspective on how they think things are going - it may help to remind you what your individual work (however brain-numbing it may be) contributes to the bigger picture and the charity’s overall goals. This meeting is different from negotiating a pay rise. It focuses on solutions to rejuvenate and refresh your approach to your work and maximise your performance and overall contribution, with their support and backing. It could help you stay - and prevent them losing you. _______________________ Look inward Working in charity and not-for-profit requires a clear external focus on the needs of your service users, but have you taken a moment recently to consider how the work you do impacts your colleagues, internally? According to Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, authors of ‘No Hard Feelings', focusing on work relationships rather than the actual work you do can provide a useful reminder of your day-to-day impact. If you're in need of a boost, think about how your own personal efforts have impacted or helped internal projects; Liz suggests writing down three ways your work has helped your colleagues, to get you in the right mindset. Make the effort to foster strong relationships at work; arranging lunch and the odd coffee or even simply stopping for a non-work chat every now and then could help you feel happier. A 2018 Gallup poll found that 'when employees possess a deep sense of affiliation with their team members, they are driven to take positive actions that benefit the business'. Finding a ‘work goalkeeper’, someone to keep you accountable for your work goals and general progress, could also help keep things pristine. Marshall Bright and Anna Davies, writing for Refinery29, suggest finding ‘someone who's just as psyched for you to achieve goals as you are’ can be a good way to crank up your workplace motivation. Spice up your work There’s no better way to freshen things up at work than to launch yourself into a new project or initiative, one that runs alongside the day-to-day. • Talk to your manager and suggest projects you can be involved in (or lead on, if progression is a motivator) that could make a difference internally and to your own motivation. Ask to shadow your manager/director at a client meeting or volunteer to join a committee. • Rather than simply attending, set yourself a purpose and a target; offer to take the minutes to brush up your skills and show off your writing ability. Ask a question or join in the debate. Agree to take away an action point and deliver on time to the best of your ability. Show 'em what you're made of. • Have you considered going to a work networking event on your own? It’s great to have a colleague to lean on and natter with, but going solo could improve your focus, help you find a topic you’re really interested in and seriously boost your confidence (and your networks). • Finally, explore any opportunities for secondments in another department or ways to collaborate with another charity to deliver on a project or contract. Absence can make the heart grow fonder after all. _______________________ Step away from it all... When everything gets far too much, sometimes the best thing to do (temporarily) is step away. Tim Herrera, writing for The New York Times, advises that ‘when all else fails and you just can’t find that spark of inspiration, fall back on a tried-and-true strategy: Take a little time away from your job’. Why not book in some annual leave or enquire about your organisation's sabbatical policy? _______________________ And finally… Here are some more quick-fire tips that could help put a spring in your step. • Give your desk a spruce up. A good scrub, a plant and a photo in a lovely frame can help create an extension of your personality and an encouraging space. • Listen to a podcast en route/at lunch. It could get you in the zone and excited again about your specialism/expertise and what used to make you tick. • Set up a lunch club. Whether it's a book club, Netflix dissection group or foodie crew, having something inspiring to look forward to can provide a much needed boost. • Inject your wardrobe with newness. Dress to impress… yourself. If you look disheveled and out of sorts, you’ll feel it. If budget is limited, get your old boots fixed and polished, invest in some accessories to jazz up a plain top and visit your favourite charity shop. • Reward your team. Give out weekly/monthly prizes (funniest joke, best socks etc) and consider the other 75 ways to fall in love again with your job (by Kevin Daum for Inc.). ​ Adopting these strategies could help you and your job stay together, happily coupled, and destined for a brighter future. It could be time to go on a date again - with your job. Nicola Greenbrook - HR Specialist & Freelance Writer Contact Nicola, check out her brand new website, or follow her on Twitter. More from Nicola Greenbrook: ► How to handle the holiday handover ► How to manage stress at work ► How to negotiate a pay rise in the charity sector ________ ► More from the Harris Hill blog