My Leadership in Action project provided me with a unique and enriching experience as I collaborated with Child.org, a charity dedicated to improving maternal healthcare in Kenya.

During my tenure, I served as a Community Engagement Lead, a role that encompassed two significant components: Social Media Management and Volunteer Management. I spent three weeks working at the office and an additional three weeks at various festivals across the UK, where we raised funds for the charity through two services - a festival taxi and a drinks delivery service.

One of my primary responsibilities was to boost social media engagement. My initial goal was to achieve 500,000 views, but I surpassed this target by an astounding 400%, garnering a total of 2 million views. To accomplish this, I utilised my first week at the office to create a comprehensive communications plan, ensuring consistency in my postings. As I gained more insights, I adapted my communications plan for the subsequent festivals. In the two weeks leading up to the festivals, I actively raised awareness about our services to potential customers. Remarkably, one of my posts was reposted by Latitude festival, which boasts an impressive follower count of 80,000. Additionally, I reached out to radio stations to promote the charity and our services.

My second role focused on volunteer management, where I was responsible for overseeing more than 130 volunteers during the free festivals. To prepare for this role, I communicated key information to the volunteers through WhatsApp and addressed any queries they had. I also conducted briefings, which included going over essential health and safety rules and procedures. Despite being the youngest person present, I ensured that my role was to support and guide the volunteers, and I was pleased with the positive response I received from the group.

I faced challenges such as leading shifts while managing golf buggies on various routes with changing demand throughout the day. I had to make decisions on the number of taxis to deploy based on demand and prioritise requests that came in on the radio. I was also responsible for organising breaks and preparing snack bags for the volunteers' shifts. Additionally, I dealt with numerous issues related to the adverse weather conditions, including breakdowns of festival taxis, which required quick decisions about repairs or calling a mechanic.

In addition to these responsibilities, I had specific fundraising targets. For my first festival, my goal was £35,000, but we exceeded it by raising an impressive £42,000. I also aimed for positive volunteer reviews and introduced volunteer yearbooks to enhance the volunteer experience and create lasting memories. 

 Balancing the dual roles of volunteer management and social media management, along with content creation, presented its own set of challenges. It was easy to get absorbed in volunteer management due to the physical presence of volunteers, but I learned to manage this by establishing set times for content creation to ensure I prioritised both aspects effectively.

 Another significant test of my resilience was enduring 18 out of 21 days of camping in one of the wettest Julys. This required perseverance to maintain morale among volunteers and within myself. Nevertheless, we persevered with determination, raising over £88,000 for Child.org.

 One of the highlights of my festival experience was the opportunity to watch live acts. Beyond that, I had the privilege of leading a diverse group of remarkable individuals, each contributing their unique perspectives and wisdom. I also had the chance to meet accomplished authors such as Gina Martin, Aja Barr, and Kenny Imafidon, even getting my book signed. This experience underscored the various forms and shapes that leadership can take.

My legacy at child.org lies in my enhancement of the volunteer experience by the creation of a volunteer yearbook. In addition to this I assisted on the creation of a new website, as well as helping solidify brand colours between charity concierge and child.org helping to create a more identifiable brand identity.

 The skills and experiences I gained through my Leadership in Action project have endowed me with the confidence, resilience, and drive necessary for taking up leadership roles in the future. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the incredible volunteers and the dedicated Child.org team for providing me with a life-changing and unforgettable experience.