Ingrid Campbell's Journey: Establishing a Charitable Trust
The establishment of the Re:Woven Therapy Charitable Trust is a great example of community-led development, as well as how to set up a Charitable Trust. The journey to create the trust is a great example of listening to the community to find their needs, rather than assuming one knows what is best. This article dives into the steps that Ingrid Campbell took to set up the trust and the importance of listening to the community to identify its needs.
Setting Out on an Uncertain Path
Coming from the social sector in Southland, Ingrid knew there was more that could be done, and in a new way. However, venturing into the world of social entrepreneurship without a clear plan, she realised she would need the support of the wider community. "I didn't even know how to start a business," Ingrid confessed. Despite this uncertainty and not knowing the exact type of charity she wanted to set up initially, it was through her ability to forge connections and a desire to contribute to her community that kept driving her forward.
Ingrid understood that building something impactful would require time, meaningful conversations, and advice from various resources in the Southland Community, including COIN South and Work and Income. This led her to the decision to launch her private practice first where she would remain working in the social sector, and use it as an opportunity to connect with individuals and organisations to understand the needs of the community further, as well as eventually be able to use the funds from the business to support starting up a charity which was her larger vision. "So in the end, what I did do was start my business, worked in private practice, and used that as the foreground to kind of get a gauge of what are the needs in our community," she explains, emphasising the significance of her efforts to understand the needs and what was already available.
The Essence of Deep Engagement
Central to developing Ingrid’s understanding of what was needed she immersed herself in research and networking broadly, she consulted with pivotal stakeholders and organisations, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the social sector. “I probably did as much research and groundwork as I could," Ingrid noted. She had a strong drive to ensure that she heard from voices in the community and deeply understood what the issues were, what was already working, as well as where there were any existing gaps. This exploratory phase led Ingrid to realise the potential of merging creative arts with therapeutic practices as an innovative approach to some of the community's challenges. "We wanted to use creative arts as platforms of change."
The process of establishing the Re:Woven Charitable Trust with legal and ethical integrity was crucial to Ingrid and her values. Ensuring transparent operations and adherence to stringent ethical guidelines was paramount. "Quite airtight on the ethical process," as Ingrid described it, her initiative was supported by others in the community, including pro bono legal help to set up the charity as well as connections and resources from the Community Law Centre.
"It’s really important to do your research and to seek support," Ingrid advised, highlighting the crucial role of partnerships. Ingrid spoke about the strength of the Southland community which allowed her to create connections easily and with the right people that could help her on her journey with setting up the charity, and the ongoing support she needs to keep it going in terms of board members, getting the word out about what she does, and connection to funders and important community stakeholders.
Partnerships were also important in terms of collaborating with other organisations. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Re:Woven Charitable Trust partners with other local agencies who are already established to work together on common goals, meaning that they can both share resources to maximise impact within the community, rather than working in silos.
Re:Woven Charitable Trust is a great example of how one can listen to the community to understand what it needs, pull on the strengths already in the community to help with practical tasks like setting up the Charity, but also continuing to partner with individuals or organisations along the way to achieve common goals.
Below are the steps that Ingrid took to establish the charitable trust that can be used as an inspiration and guide for others working or wanting to work in the community-led development space.
Identifying Community Needs:
Started with personal experience and observation in her private practice.
Engaged in extensive research and networking to understand community gaps and needs.
Seeking Advice and Overcoming Barriers:
Consulted with COIN South, Work and Income, and other organisations for guidance.
Utilising Professional Experience:
Leveraged her background in private practice to test and refine her concept.
Used her expertise to gauge the community's needs and validate the trust's mission.
Engaging with Key Stakeholders:
Conducted comprehensive groundwork by consulting with leading social sector providers and organisations.
Built relationships with key players and experts for advice and support.
Building a Strong Ethical Foundation:
Ensured the organisation was legally sound and adhered to strict ethical standards.
Sought pro bono legal assistance to establish the charitable trust without financial burden.
Community Engagement and Feedback:
Prioritised deep engagement and active listening to the community's voice.
Adapted strategies based on community feedback and evolving needs.
Strategic Networking and Collaboration:
Expanded her network to include influential and supportive individuals within the community.
Emphasised collaboration over competition, focusing on partnerships that could enhance the trust's impact.
Navigating Funding and Sustainability:
Learned the intricacies of funding applications and aligned the trust’s goals with potential funders' values.
