Heart In Mouth

Day

Wednesday 8 November

Time slot

11:00-12:00

This event took place over 1 year ago

Room

Fintry suite
Wheelchair accessible

Contact

Ishbel Smith

Topics

Running your organisation Comms & marketing

Overall aim

Scotland's charities have important and powerful stories to tell. But how do they share their messages in an effective and impactful way? And how do they equip and empower staff and volunteers to speak confidently and authentically with others about the work they do?

This interactive workshop offers practical insights on how to help your charity ensure their messages are heard by those who need to hear them. Focused on helping you consider how to share your charity's story, you will pick up and practice some key communication skills while developing your understanding of the theory and reality of what it takes to connect your cause and concerns with others.

The event is suitable for anyone in any charity of any size who wants to consider and improve how they make their messages matter.

Description

The session aims to give practical, engaging and informed introductions to the following key concepts :

• What's the Story? - how do you find an organisational story that people are happy and confident to share.
• Who needs to hear the story? - a chance to consider the audiences you want - and need - to connect with.
• Where do you Share the Story? - how might your story inform and energise your charity's communications strategy?
• How do you Tell the Story? - how do you equip others to speak about that story in presentations. This will include some quick top tips to equip yourself, your team and your volunteers for confident public speaking.

Attendees will have the opportunity to consider how they apply these tools within their organisation; a chance to practice some of the tips; and a space to help them recap and reconsider the skills they have and wish to develop personally and organisationally.

Ishbel will give practical examples of the work she has done alongside many Scottish charities in the work they have done on messaging; branding and staff and volunteer training.

Who was the event aimed at?

Corporate services (comms/finance etc)

Who spoke at this event?

Ishbel Smith was a commercial litigator for 20 years before leaving law to volunteer and work in the third sector. While vice chair of Mary's Meals, chair of her local community cafe and a helpline volunteer for the SCVO, she recognised the power and importance of people being enabled to find, share and hear the messages that mattered effectively, confidently and strategically. She founded communications consultancy Heart In Mouth in 2017 and has since provided strategic communications advice, facilitation services and training to individuals, boards and staff teams from a wide range of organisations including The Robertson Trust, Diabetes Scotland, Grassmarket Community Project, Social Bite, Sight Scotland and Harmeny Education Trust. She is particularly passionate about ensuring individuals are equipped with an appreciation of their own personal strengths as well as providing a practical understanding of the skills and insights that will best help them and their organisations.