A Charity Preparing for Its Next Phase
A medium-sized charity supporting vulnerable people was entering a new stage of growth. They wanted to scale their work without losing the values-led culture that defined them, so they set out to understand how their people were experiencing change.
The charity had run engagement surveys in the past, but felt they needed a more independent and in-depth look, something that would give them a clearer picture and help guide their next steps.
What We Delivered
We designed a tailored employee engagement survey that reflected their context, values, and ambitions. Participation was high, and colleagues were open about both the positives and the pressures of a growing organisation.
One theme stood out: many people felt stretched. Staff were committed to the charity’s mission, but workload was becoming harder to manage. When we looked more closely, a consistent pattern appeared:
teams with regular check-ins and feedback from their managers reported lower stress, better wellbeing, and more clarity about their work.
This showed just how important steady, supportive communication is during periods of change.
Turning Insight Into Action
The leadership team used these findings to introduce something simple but transformative: protected weekly one-to-one time between every manager and every team member.
This created space for:
- ongoing workload check-ins
- open conversations about concerns or ideas
- stronger relationships between managers and staff
- more inclusive decision-making during change
As a result, colleagues became more involved in shaping the charity’s next steps. Their suggestions helped improve processes, speed up decisions, and even identify cost-saving opportunities.
The Impact
By creating regular time for honest conversations, the charity strengthened its culture and prepared itself for future growth. They achieved:
- better wellbeing and workload balance
- more confident and capable managers
- higher engagement during a period of change
- practical, employee-led improvements that saved time and money
This case study shows how meaningful employee insight, paired with simple and focused action, can support a growing organisation to stay true to its values while building for the future.
