How to overcome the loneliness of working at a small charity

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is loneliness. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased levels of loneliness in the UK, with a devastating impact on mental wellness.

I’ve experienced many different forms of loneliness: in grief, whilst working from home, after moving to a new town, as a new business owner. But the most isolated I've ever felt was working as a sole fundraising and communications professional for a small charity.

The burden of feeling solely responsible for raising funds and awareness for a charity is immense. It is very lonely when you have no-one to brainstorm opportunities with, to sense-check your ideas or to ask for advice. And that isolation becomes overwhelming when well-meaning stakeholders ask irrelevant questions or suggest impractical fundraising ideas.

These are three ways I overcame the loneliness of working as a sole fundraiser.

Use social media

Social media is a fantastic way to stay plugged into the wider fundraising community whilst you’re working as a sole fundraiser. I recommend joining Facebook groups like Fundraising Chat and Third Sector PR & Comms Network. There are also more specialised groups like Public Fundraising Specialists, COVID 19 Charity Preparedness Group and Trust Fundraising Hub.

Twitter is another great channel for taking part in conversations about fundraising, staying up to date with sector news and so much more! I’ve put together a Twitter list of charity sector tweeters that I follow. I’m sure it’s missing lots of awesome people – please tweet me @lucy_scanlon with your suggestions of who to add.

To be honest, Linked In is a channel I avoided until we set up Roots + Wings. I thought it was only for job-hunting or self-promotion. Don’t make my mistake! There are some fantastic fundraisers sharing content on there that isn’t found elsewhere. 

Sign up for a training course

Training not only helps you combat the imposter syndrome that also afflicts many sole fundraisers (more on that in another blog!). It’s also a great way to meet other fundraisers and build your network.  

Whilst I was a sole fundraiser, I signed up for the CIOF Certificate in Fundraising course. Our class got to know each other well and stayed in touch for several years. It was a real lifeline to meet other people experiencing similar challenges. Regular classes allowed us to meet regularly in a structured forum where we could share ideas and encourage each other.

There are lots of great training courses out there, at different price-points. If your charity doesn’t have any training budget, try to negotiate for other benefits. E.g. if they can’t fund your place, will they give you half a day study leave each week to allow you to study and complete homework during office hours? Or would they commit to a salary review once you complete the training course?

Keep in touch with former colleagues

It’s not all about meeting new people! Keeping in touch with team-mates from previous charities is a great way to stay connected. Invite them for a coffee and catch-up (IRL or virtual), ask to pick their brains if you’re struggling with their area of expertise.

But be careful not to let the relationship feel transactional. Don’t only reach out when you want something or have a question. You need to give as much as you ask.

One last bonus tip – join Fundraising Everywhere! This wasn’t around when I was a sole fundraiser, but if it had been I would have joined like a shot!

Fundraising Everywhere is an amazing online community run by fundraisers for fundraisers. They offer online training every month, and as a member you have full on-demand access to their content. There is a Slack channel for members and monthly Member Clinics with guest speakers.

Find out more about Roots + Wings and how we could help you overcome fundraising, communications, or other challenges you’re facing. If you would like to work with us, drop us an email on hello@rootsandwings.studio