The Eurovision's surprise winner this Saturday leads Tesse Akpeki to reflect on how the charity sector faces an unpredictable future.
On Saturday out came the popcorn, the wine, the cheese and the nibbles. Yep, you’ve guest it –the annual viewing of the Eurovision contest, made more exciting by Blue (the UK entry) promising that it would win with their song I Can. Well, as you know by now, they couldn’t, though they got a respectful 100 points. Small nation, Azerbaijan was the surprise winner with Italy coming a close second. So what makes this interesting for musing? Usually I am able to call out the scoring, the usual trends, who will vote for you and ultimately who will win. This time the scoring pattern was unpredictable. France the bookie’s favourite didn’t get there and the public embraced and rewarded the big-shoulder red sparkly jackets, trademark quiffs energy and high energy of Former X Factor stars James and Edward Grimes with a 7th place.
As 2011 continues we know we can be certain about little – definitely more cuts, hard choices, tough decisions and very little else. We are seeing social enterprises, mutuals, strategic partnerships and fresh ideas flourish, but we are also witnessing closures and downsizing on the terraine.
Solutions and approaches that worked before seem not to cut it anymore and our publics await with changing expectations which make the difference between the doors staying open or closing. Good news stories are encouraging. A shopping success story comes to mind - thanks to a makeover from leading retail guru Mary Portas, Save the Children is revolutionising charity shops on the high street and increasing much need funds. Mary explains that this venture anchors on a collaboration of people, ideas, beliefs and values, with people giving time, energy and passion and most importantly doing what they can.
The basis is the idea of a co-operative, with community involvement at the heart of each shop bringing the community to life. Each organisation or grouping is different. In this “new normal” where things may not be the usual normal a tip may be to see the futures we can co-create and co-produce and to see how we can learn from others. Now that is a lot of juggling!
