SJB Solutions
stephen@sjb.solutions
+44 7766959742
Advising charities and networks how to grow income and impact.
About meHello, I'm Stephen. I have benefited from peer mentoring. I've set up programmes that enable it in the UK and internationally. That’s the spirit in which I’ve set up this advisory practice.
I’ve been a non-profit CEO and deputy CEO. In essence, I’ve worked with people in Boards and teams to define problems, generate and implement solutions.
I relish a nice chunky challenge to work through. And we are not short of those in the charity and impact worled. I hope I can be of use.
My working life
I am always looking forward to the next professional adventure, but here are some from my past:
- Advising a local membership charity on leadership and governance after a crisis
- Building a theory of change and evaluation framework for a local care charity
- Designing a fundraising strategy for a network of sports NGOs
- Evaluating the performance of the European network for public health agencies
- Independent assessment of loan applications for a social investor
- Relocating the office of a European network from London to The Hague in the run-up to Brexit
- As a fresh new CEO, refreshing the purpose and governance of a non-profit that had drifted off course
- Tripling membership and grant income for the international network of social services directors
I had spent many years working in policy and strategy, but I was missing something.
I hadn't worked at the social care frontline - the charity coalface. I had met plenty of people who had started out in frontline care work and had found them inspirational. I knew I wanted that experience.
I was lucky enough to take on running an active weekly day club for people with younger onset and early stage dementia. I did this for two years until the end of 2020, including adapting the club to the challenges of coronavirus and the lockdowns.
My role included assessing people's suitability for the club, getting to know them and saying goodbye as their symptoms changed.
Spending time in the company of people living with dementia taught me immense patience, how to live in the present moment and in those chapters of life that came easily to mind. It also left me in awe at the those under-sung heroes of society: family carers.
We had some great adventures out and about in beautiful Sussex, including guided tours behind the scenes thanks to people who were generous with their time and knowledge.
Getting to know these people was a privilege and a direct high-definition reminder of the positive impact that charities work for.
