CHAS has been working with its staff to embrace innovative ideas to improve the services it provides
A charity has been utilising the brains of its staff and volunteers to come up with some great ideas.
Five projects to be run by Children’s Hospices Across Scotland – better known as CHAS – have been awarded funding after a series of pitches were presented at the Tolbooth in Stirling this week.
In partnership with The Lens, which facilitates workshops to encourage employees, volunteers and families to develop innovative ideas and collaborate on meaningful long-term projects within an allocated budget from the charity, the initiative is driving CHAS into new territory.
The charity was nominated for a Global Game Changer award following its participation in The Lens last year and general dedication to staff and volunteer empowerment. Now in its second year, the finalists pitched to receive a share of a £35,000 fund to bring their ideas to fruition and support the work of CHAS with their entrepreneurial innovations.
Judged by a panel of their peers, pitching teams were comprised of a combination of CHAS staff, volunteers and, crucially, the parents who make use of CHAS facilities.
Maria McGill, chief executive of CHAS, said: “It is this sort of innovation that propels CHAS forward. Our core aim is to reach every family in Scotland and the Lens project is an excellent process which brings out new opportunities and strategies to help us realise our ambition.
“We want to congratulate each finalist on their achievement throughout their entrepreneurial journey, to celebrate their passion, commitment and bravery to thinking differently and for developing new ideas. This has been a fantastic opportunity for all CHAS staff and volunteers to develop these ideas in collaboration with the Lens.
“I’m blown away by the passion and depth of knowledge of our finalists; each of them are so driven towards enhancing the warm and compassionate familial offering that our two hospices and CHAS at Home provide. The judge’s job was not an enviable one but we very much look forward to seeing each of these projects flourish in the coming year and beyond.”
Ideas that will be taken forward over the next year include engagement with former volunteers, improved bereavement support for families and building a craft studio.
