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Making a Difference: Setting up sustainable, community-based projects
Making a Difference is a book which aims to help bring about positive change within communities in England and Wales. It is distinctive in being a practical ‘How To’ guide rather than a ‘Why Should’ argument. It provides a practical step-by-step guide for anyone who wants to set up a project or introduce a service that would benefit a significant number of vulnerable or excluded people, at any age, within their local communities, and which is sustainable for a long period of time.
The author draws on many years of experience within the charity sector to guide the reader through the process, explaining each stage clearly and precisely. The reader will be able to identify and develop key information about their project - why it’s necessary, what it will involve and how to approach it, what challenges might be encountered and how to avoid and overcome them. An example of a project, which runs through the whole book, enables the reader to see how each stage might apply to a real-life scenario. Packed with reassurance and useful insights into the workings of the Third Sector, this is an indispensable guide to making the world a better place.
The author draws on many years of experience within the charity sector to guide the reader through the process, explaining each stage clearly and precisely. The reader will be able to identify and develop key information about their project - why it’s necessary, what it will involve and how to approach it, what challenges might be encountered and how to avoid and overcome them. An example of a project, which runs through the whole book, enables the reader to see how each stage might apply to a real-life scenario. Packed with reassurance and useful insights into the workings of the Third Sector, this is an indispensable guide to making the world a better place.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2023
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Walker
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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 9, 2023
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Literally PR.
Making a Difference is a great book for anyone thinking of creating a project within their local community to improve it and make things better and more beneficial for all. Many of us want to gibe back to our communities or make a change of some sort but don't know how to get started or what to do. That is where this book is a great source of help as it helps guide you through the what, why and how's and supports you not only to carry it out/implement it but gives you the tools to help sustain it too. There's a wealth of information, tips, advice, and support within the pages of this book, and I'd advise anyone with thoughts towards making their area better to give this a read!
Making a Difference is a great book for anyone thinking of creating a project within their local community to improve it and make things better and more beneficial for all. Many of us want to gibe back to our communities or make a change of some sort but don't know how to get started or what to do. That is where this book is a great source of help as it helps guide you through the what, why and how's and supports you not only to carry it out/implement it but gives you the tools to help sustain it too. There's a wealth of information, tips, advice, and support within the pages of this book, and I'd advise anyone with thoughts towards making their area better to give this a read!
July 1, 2023
It’s not too late to make a difference!
Pamela Walker takes us through a step by step, comprehensive approach for setting up a community project in the UK. A hopeful and uplifting book!
Thanks to Literally PR for giving me the opportunity to read it.
Pamela Walker takes us through a step by step, comprehensive approach for setting up a community project in the UK. A hopeful and uplifting book!
Thanks to Literally PR for giving me the opportunity to read it.
July 4, 2023
Are you thinking about starting a project to make a positive change within your local community? When starting out with community based projects, just thinking about all the steps and stages can be overwhelming. I have great news! There’s a book which will guide you through the practical stages in a step by step manner.
Making a Difference is a book which aims to help bring about positive change within communities in
England and Wales. Written for anyone who wants to setup a project or introduce a service that would benefit a significant number of vulnerable or excluded people. The advice given within this book allows any project to be sustainable for a long period of time.
The author, Pamela Walker, draws on many years of experience within the charity sector. She effortlessly guides the reader through the process, explaining each stage clearly and precisely. Pamela is the Development Manager for the national food charity, FoodCycle – which provides free communal meals for anyone experiencing food poverty or social isolation.
Beginning as a frontline worker, Pamela now has over thirty years’ experience of developing community-based projects and managing volunteers. These projects have benefited a huge range of people and communities. Vulnerable and isolated older people, pregnant teens, the nursery-age children of traveller families, medically qualified refugees, and many others.
Making a Difference is a book packed full of useful and valuable information. In a less concise form, this volume of information could drown and overwhelm even the most academic of readers. However, the author has written it a way which makes it easy to pick out the key information. It’s a simple and easy to understand text.
Throughout each chapter, we are guided through the process of setting up a community project. From identifying and developing key information about their project – why it’s necessary, what it will involve and how to approach it. To the types of challenges that might be encountered and how to avoid and overcome them. To me, the reader, it seems that every single stage of project planning is covered. Including things I would have never even thought of. Real-life examples are provided. which makes it easy to identify with.
As a result of the author’s experience, this book does have a specific focus on England and Wales. However, I really feel the basic principles and stages can be applied to any location. All you need to find our for yourself is the local contacts and regulations.
Pamela was asked, “If you were to give one piece of advice to people setting up projects and services, what would it be”? Her answer…
“Be realistic: set an achievable timescale, based on the time that you have to devote to this; and make sure that the initial aims of your project are achievable on a small scale (initially at least) with what will be limited resources – it is better to expand your service from a solid and well-tried foundation”.
A very wise piece of advice. For anyone looking into starting a community project, this really is an indispensable guide.
Big thanks to Literally PR for sending me this book. All opinions are my own.
Making a Difference is a book which aims to help bring about positive change within communities in
England and Wales. Written for anyone who wants to setup a project or introduce a service that would benefit a significant number of vulnerable or excluded people. The advice given within this book allows any project to be sustainable for a long period of time.
The author, Pamela Walker, draws on many years of experience within the charity sector. She effortlessly guides the reader through the process, explaining each stage clearly and precisely. Pamela is the Development Manager for the national food charity, FoodCycle – which provides free communal meals for anyone experiencing food poverty or social isolation.
Beginning as a frontline worker, Pamela now has over thirty years’ experience of developing community-based projects and managing volunteers. These projects have benefited a huge range of people and communities. Vulnerable and isolated older people, pregnant teens, the nursery-age children of traveller families, medically qualified refugees, and many others.
Making a Difference is a book packed full of useful and valuable information. In a less concise form, this volume of information could drown and overwhelm even the most academic of readers. However, the author has written it a way which makes it easy to pick out the key information. It’s a simple and easy to understand text.
Throughout each chapter, we are guided through the process of setting up a community project. From identifying and developing key information about their project – why it’s necessary, what it will involve and how to approach it. To the types of challenges that might be encountered and how to avoid and overcome them. To me, the reader, it seems that every single stage of project planning is covered. Including things I would have never even thought of. Real-life examples are provided. which makes it easy to identify with.
As a result of the author’s experience, this book does have a specific focus on England and Wales. However, I really feel the basic principles and stages can be applied to any location. All you need to find our for yourself is the local contacts and regulations.
Pamela was asked, “If you were to give one piece of advice to people setting up projects and services, what would it be”? Her answer…
“Be realistic: set an achievable timescale, based on the time that you have to devote to this; and make sure that the initial aims of your project are achievable on a small scale (initially at least) with what will be limited resources – it is better to expand your service from a solid and well-tried foundation”.
A very wise piece of advice. For anyone looking into starting a community project, this really is an indispensable guide.
Big thanks to Literally PR for sending me this book. All opinions are my own.
June 1, 2023
This book is all about making a difference and making positive changes that will benefit a wide community of people. The author guides you on how to set up and sustain community based projects.
It is all about recognising what needs to be done in your community, and then working on positive action plans in order to make the appropriate changes in order to move things forward in the right direction.
Overall, a very well written book packed full of guidance, tips and invaluable information and resources! A necessary tool for anyone out there who is interested in making a difference and starting up their very own community based project!
5 stars
It is all about recognising what needs to be done in your community, and then working on positive action plans in order to make the appropriate changes in order to move things forward in the right direction.
Overall, a very well written book packed full of guidance, tips and invaluable information and resources! A necessary tool for anyone out there who is interested in making a difference and starting up their very own community based project!
5 stars
July 13, 2023
For almost forty years Pamela Walker has been involved as a Volunteer and paid staff member with many charitable organisations and is currently the Development Manager for the national UK charity FoodCycle, focusing on the needs of what is known as the Third Sector; those facing hardship for many and varied reasons.
The onset of COVID saw many kind, caring people concerned about the many struggling to be adequately fed, initiate many great ideas, most of which fell by the wayside due to a lack of understanding how to set up, run and manage a volunteer group or organisation.
With many years’ experience at establishing and mentoring people to make a sustainable difference within their Communities, she realised there was a great need to write down the processes, of which there are many, to bring that great idea to fruition.
Making a Difference has been written in plain language, in a very straightforward style that sets out every very necessary step; from coming up with the ‘idea’ to celebrating the success of that great idea.
Maybe your ‘idea’ has already been established and operating well within your Community or will compliment one already established, which is where the initial and ongoing research becomes so very important. A very valid point to remember always is that setting up a Volunteer group is not a lot different to establishing a small business, except there are some fundamental differences which need to be understood from the beginning.
People you wish to attract to help are Volunteers, not paid staff, therefore the management is somewhat different, the various Legislations relating to Volunteer organisations can be different and the funding of your ‘idea’ is in itself a specialist area.
Having a caring, sustainable system to manage your Volunteers, is one of the more important aspects of establishing and running a volunteer group, as without your Volunteers, your great idea will certainly fail to produce the desired outcome. Eventually some of these people may need to become paid staff as the group grows.
Although the information about various funding channels and Government regulations are for England and Wales, the information in Making a Difference is relevant to Volunteer groups world-wide.
For anyone running, thinking of establishing their ‘great idea’ or otherwise involved in a fledgling Volunteer group, Making a Difference is MUST have, MUST read as it sets out and explains every detail with clarity.
Having personally been involved in several Volunteer based groups over the years, who failed in some instances to care for their team members well, not understanding the very real difference between Volunteers and paid staff, this book would definitely have made a significant difference to the establishment, Volunteer retainment and daily operations of the Groups.
The onset of COVID saw many kind, caring people concerned about the many struggling to be adequately fed, initiate many great ideas, most of which fell by the wayside due to a lack of understanding how to set up, run and manage a volunteer group or organisation.
With many years’ experience at establishing and mentoring people to make a sustainable difference within their Communities, she realised there was a great need to write down the processes, of which there are many, to bring that great idea to fruition.
Making a Difference has been written in plain language, in a very straightforward style that sets out every very necessary step; from coming up with the ‘idea’ to celebrating the success of that great idea.
Maybe your ‘idea’ has already been established and operating well within your Community or will compliment one already established, which is where the initial and ongoing research becomes so very important. A very valid point to remember always is that setting up a Volunteer group is not a lot different to establishing a small business, except there are some fundamental differences which need to be understood from the beginning.
People you wish to attract to help are Volunteers, not paid staff, therefore the management is somewhat different, the various Legislations relating to Volunteer organisations can be different and the funding of your ‘idea’ is in itself a specialist area.
Having a caring, sustainable system to manage your Volunteers, is one of the more important aspects of establishing and running a volunteer group, as without your Volunteers, your great idea will certainly fail to produce the desired outcome. Eventually some of these people may need to become paid staff as the group grows.
Although the information about various funding channels and Government regulations are for England and Wales, the information in Making a Difference is relevant to Volunteer groups world-wide.
For anyone running, thinking of establishing their ‘great idea’ or otherwise involved in a fledgling Volunteer group, Making a Difference is MUST have, MUST read as it sets out and explains every detail with clarity.
Having personally been involved in several Volunteer based groups over the years, who failed in some instances to care for their team members well, not understanding the very real difference between Volunteers and paid staff, this book would definitely have made a significant difference to the establishment, Volunteer retainment and daily operations of the Groups.
May 7, 2023
As a teacher, wife, and a mother of two, I am always on the hunt for fun and educational books. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was interesting and not what I expected. I truly learned a lot from this book. As a teacher, it is important to know your community and know it takes a village to help raise a child, especially when it comes to their education. This book was interesting because it gave you experiences but also told you how to do a project effectively. This year I am moving grade levels and I will definitely be incorporating some of the tips for my projects this school year.
July 10, 2023
Fabulous little book that will encourage and support in the process of making a difference to the community.
If you have a community project or are thinking of giving back in the community then this book is for you. Giving you comprehensive guidance on setting up a project, steps on completing and on keeping it going through the long term. The author’s experience here is very much key and the knowledge shared is extremely helpful to any community start up project. Great examples to follow and all together a nice upbeat thoughtful book.
Many thanks to team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you have a community project or are thinking of giving back in the community then this book is for you. Giving you comprehensive guidance on setting up a project, steps on completing and on keeping it going through the long term. The author’s experience here is very much key and the knowledge shared is extremely helpful to any community start up project. Great examples to follow and all together a nice upbeat thoughtful book.
Many thanks to team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2023
A fascinating book showing the A-Z of what you need to know and so, to confidently set up a sustainable community based project. Every point is covered from starting your project to its completion, showing how to approach it and overcome challenges. Every chapter ends with further reading and notes. Such a small book packed with so much information! I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone wanting to start a project in their community helping to make a difference to peoples lives.
June 29, 2023
For a long time now I've wanted to do something within the community and I've been veering towards something to do with books. Making a Difference has given me the kick I needed to pursue this and given me simplified step by step ways in which I'm able to make this possible.
The book may be small at 188 pages, but you'll be surprised at just how much information and detail can be packed in.
Slide show presentations, recruitment, policies, insurance, fundraising are all talked about in a concise, easy to understand manner.
🔹The author mentions Southampton City Mission on several occasions. They're a lovely bunch of people and have helped us many a time🔹
The book may be small at 188 pages, but you'll be surprised at just how much information and detail can be packed in.
Slide show presentations, recruitment, policies, insurance, fundraising are all talked about in a concise, easy to understand manner.
🔹The author mentions Southampton City Mission on several occasions. They're a lovely bunch of people and have helped us many a time🔹
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews