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Tamara Essex -
helping charities achieve their objectives


I am a freelance management consultant working for charities, voluntary and community organisations, community partnerships, and with the statutory sector.

 My passion is helping large and small organisations manage better in a changing environment.  I can help with service development, fundraising, business planning, contracts and tendering, and strategic and organisational development. I am currently offering a number of training courses on fundraising and tendering, including “Ten Steps to the Perfect Fundraising Bid“ (see below).

I an an Approved Consultant with NCVO (the National Council for Voluntary Organisations), and am on the approved lists for Capacitybuilders in Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire.  I have a background of working with Local Authorities and as a Health Authority Non-Executive Director, so bring a multi-sectoral perspective to my work.

“Tamara’s critique of our situation was masterful – she had clearly done her homework and brought effective analytical skills to bear. Key issues clearly exposed and questions within them cited in a way that facilitated productive discussion. Tamara’s knowledge of ‘the territory’ was evident and therefore she not only gained the confidence of the group but was able to aid understanding through helpful contextualization of the issues. (She) was encouraging, enthusing and energising. Moved seamlessly into action planning. We therefore left with a clear set of strategic actions.” The Venerable Paul Taylor, Chair of Trustees, Footprints (May 2011).

Find my blog on current voluntary sector issues at: http://tamaraessex.wordpress.com

NEW DATES now being planned for March / April. 
“Ten Steps to the Perfect Funding Bid”  &  “Advanced Bid-Writing: The Power of Words”. 
Watch this space!   Email me to go on the mailing list for courses.

Both these courses ran in Poundbury in October, in Devon in October, and for VISTA Training in Somerset in November.  “Tamara was passionate, honest and interested.  This made the course engaging and made it feel individually tailored.”  “Very approachable and helpful tutor.  Just the right level of challenge.”  “Lots of little gems to take home and use in future bids.  Very stimulating day.”  (VISTA 17.11.11).

Two other training courses now also available:

  • “Cracking the Corporate Coffers” - building partnerships and raising funds from the business sector.  With Margaret MacKenzie of The Swan Company  www.theswancompany.co.uk.
  • “Top Tips for Tendering” – debunking myths and fears around tendering for local authority contracts.  With Lin Whitfield of Lin Whitfield Consultancy   www.linwhitfield.co.uk Recent evaluation:  “The tutors were very professional and have a wealth of experience and knowledge” – VISTA July 2010.

These course are also available for booking by CVSs and training providers – contact Tamara for prices and availability.  Training courses on aspects of tendering are currently touring Devon – see Exeter CVS website for details.

Tamara volunteers with Swans Trust in her home town of Shaftesbury, north Dorset, and through them is the organiser of the Shaftesbury Local Food Festival, a celebration of local produce from the Blackmore Vale. More details about this can be found at the festival website: http://shaftesburyfeastival.co.uk/

© 2010 Tamara Essex - consultant & trainer for charities, partnerships, & social enterprise