Charity begins at work as business gets on board

Mike Dickson

Charities have always been wary of getting involved with the corporate world, but the Pilotlight initiative, which brings the two together, is positive, inspiring and brings many benefits to both parties, says Mike Dickson

Her Pilotlight team asked her key questions, and in the process helped her develop into a chief executive, learning about managing people and planning for the future. As she says: ‘We might possibly have got there ourselves, but Pilotlight got us there a lot earlier!’

Dr Katy Emck has been working with prisoners for 20 years, and is now the director of Fine Cell Works, a charity that teaches needlework to prison inmates and sells their products. The prisoners do the work when they are locked in their cells, and the earnings give them hope, skills and independence. Prisoners send the money earned to their children and families, or use it to pay for accommodation when they’re released. Just being able to earn increases the likelihood of going straight long-term, as well as the huge pride of new achievement and purpose.

Katy describes her involvement with Pilotlight as ‘an amazing learning experience’. She knew the charity world, but didn’t have the business knowledge to help Fine Cell Works grow. Now sales have trebled, the prisoners are earning more money, and income and staff numbers have doubled within a year. And all of her Pilotlight team, originally wary of prison visits, are now converts, with one becoming a trustee.

If you are a senior business person who wants to ‘make a difference’ but isn’t sure how, or a snowed-under charity chief executive who needs a business version of Ghostbusters, call Fiona Halton. But don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Mike Dickson is a philanthropy adviser, the founder of the children’s charity Whizz-Kidz and author of The More You Give, The More You Get (The Generous Press, 2005). Email: mikedickson@themoreyougive.co.uk

Useful websites
www.Pilotlight.org.uk
Tel: 020 7396 7414

www.JusB.org.uk

www.finecellwork.co.uk