Beth Yorath wrestles with her new role in the sector as she works on the frontline in Romania and asks you to spare a thought for the little guys.

The fog that I refer to is not the weather here in Romania but rather that which surrounds people new to the charity sector. I have dabbled in fundraising and volunteering for my charity for many years now but I really am very new to the sector as a professional. I am having to learn quickly as I’ve been tasked with turning our small organisation into something with tangible longevity and sustainability.

As part of the process I have been researching the possibility of obtaining funding from governing bodies somewhere in Europe and through this process I have now learnt that there is much more depth to the charity sector, and much more to learn.

I guess like any other sector, there are tricks of the trade, but in order to find them, you need to know where to look in the first place! There is so much information out there about this but where to start is another problem entirely. People tell me about schemes to aid the charity, but without word-of-mouth, how do I find out about them?

I had no idea a little charity like ours would be eligible for so many areas of funding, but therein lies another problem – how do you get on the experience ladder? I understand that many of these opportunities require the charity to have received prior funding to show that they are ‘pre-vetted’ – how do you get on that loop in the first place?

And then we come to partner organisations – it seems that most funding (especially EU) requires a partnership with a similar organisation in another country – and it seems to involve an exchange program to work on a project. Now whilst I would dearly love to welcome some foreign visitors to our home and to give the children and adults supported by Little John’s House a trip abroad, it will do them little good if they don’t have a home to come back to. This is what we really need money for. How on earth can I get some funding for that?!

Well it seems that the kindness of strangers is becoming my saviour, albeit bit by bit. I had little thought for how useful writing blogs would be but it seems there are people out there other than my friends and family that are wanting to read about my experiences and indeed to help me see my way through the quagmire that is the charity industry.

A novice like me needs some help and, as I’m largely going it alone, these helpful and kind-hearted souls are doing me a power of good. I feel like they are guiding me through the peaks and pitfalls of some potentially treacherous ground!

So my blog ends on a simple note this time – if you know of somebody new to this game, please help them see their way through – and spare a thought for the little charities who need help with all of this. I know I’m really grateful for such help.

(and if you have any ideas on funding for care homes in Romania – get in touch!)

Beth Yorath is one of the eight 2010 Vodafone Foundation World of Difference International winners. To find out more about this opportunity visit the World of Difference website.