Anna Fowlie, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, met chief executive of Edinburgh hospice St Columba’s, Jackie Stone
Anna on Jackie
What were you expecting?
I don’t know what I was expecting. I’d deliberately not tried to find out very much about Jackie in advance, although of course I was already aware of St Columba’s. Luckily I have been to a children’s hospice before, so the lovely Maria McGill at Chas had dealt with my fears about hospices then. Otherwise I would have been fretting about feeling overwhelmed with sadness, when of course the whole point of hospices is they’re joyful places focused on wellbeing.
What was your first impression?
Jackie was very welcoming and smiley, despite having just come from the dentist! The building was a beautiful mixture of old and new and we had a coffee in the café. I was delighted to find they sold tea towels because I collect them so I was able to add another to my overflowing cupboard.
What did you talk about?
We talked about loads! The challenges of being an incoming chief executive, the fabulous Blood Bikes, health and social care integration, voluntary sector funding, our daughters, encouraging young people to volunteer. And of course we found out a bit more about each other’s organisation.
What did you have in common?
We have both come into organisations which have had long-established ways of working that need to change. We also both have a passion for making things better for people, challenging risk aversion and trying new stuff. We have daughters of a similar age and are full of admiration for how they are living their lives.
What was surprising or different about their experience?
I don’t think there was anything surprising, but it was all interesting. Jackie is a nurse who made a deliberate choice to work in the hospice movement and the voluntary sector. She’s passionate about what she does and curious about the role of the voluntary sector in Scottish society.
What useful thing did you learn?
I learned a lot more about hospices and the crucial roles they play, how they are funded and the new ways they are evolving. I’m also learning how boards work very differently in different places and I’m hoping to attend a St Columba’s board as an observer.
Who bought the coffee?
Jackie – we were on her patch, and very good it was too. I bought the tea towel, though!
Could your organisations ever work in partnership?
We could certainly be useful to each other. Hospices are very good at working collegiately and not competitively with each other, and with other voluntary and public sector organisations. We can learn from that cohesion, mutual respect and collaboration. SCVO has a national lobbying role, as well as providing services to voluntary organisations and I hope that Jackie will feel she could benefit from engaging with us in future.
Did she help spark a new idea?
Jackie and I talked about using the skills of volunteers differently, which chimed with another conversation I’ve had recently so that’s something that I’ll let germinate deep in my mind until something flowers.
What will be your lasting memory?
My lasting memory will be of a calm, welcoming environment with amazing views over the Forth and a warm, passionate woman who openly shared her experience and stories.
Will you meet again?
I certainly hope so.
Jackie on Anna
What were you expecting?
I didn’t have any real pre-conceived ideas before the meeting. My experience in meeting people who work in the voluntary and charitable sector has always been a positive one. I knew very little about SCVO I’m embarrassed to say, despite working in the charitable sector for over 20 years, but it sounds an influential and important organisation.
What was your first impression?
Anna was warm and friendly and seemed completely at ease meeting me at the hospice. This isn’t always the case as sometimes hospices can seem a daunting place to visit but once you come over the threshold you find a warm and welcoming environment. Anna was also hugely enthusiastic about her new role and the skills she brings from the public sector to the third sector.
What did you talk about?
We talked about our roles, finding our way in our new chief executive roles, changing perceptions and team cultures and the challenges of bringing new ideas into a well-established organisation. We also talked about our children, their approach to voluntary work and the value the younger voice has in shaping the third sector.
What did you have in common?
We are of similar ages and talked about our experiences of being chief executives, which were very similar, meeting many new people, motivating and inspiring new ideas, working with boards, challenging long standing practices. We both have a passion for our roles and see a real value in the contribution voluntary and charitable organisations bring to communities.
What was surprising or different about their experience?
Anna shared her involvement in working with a board made up of experienced professionals and young people. This innovative but challenging approach is fascinating and really tests our historical approach to governance and boards.
What useful thing did you learn?
The vast reach and scope of SCVO across the third sector in Scotland. This is an untapped potential network for support and partnership working for us.
Who bought the coffee?
No-one as the coffee is complimentary in the hospice.
Could your organisations ever work in partnership?
I’m not sure as we have such different objectives but we could definitely benefit from what SCVO has to offer its members.
Did she help spark a new idea?
I really like the idea of greater involvement of younger people at all levels of the hospice. We are about to start a youth volunteering project but I feel this could be extended into many more areas including governance as we develop our next strategic plan.
What will be your lasting memory?
Anna’s fabulous purple hair! It really reflected her exuberance about her role.
Will you meet again?
I’m sure we will as I think we could learn a lot from one another as we develop into our roles.
