Summary
I have been an independent consultant for 18 years, working primarily in the voluntary and public sectors.
I use a focussed yet flexible approach, underpinned by my wide ranging experience, to support organisations to be well placed to achieve their ambitions.
I have a strong focus on strategic and business planning, people management, team development and evaluation. I carry out both consultancy and training in these areas.
Aspects of work this may cover include: vision and value setting, strategic management support, facilitation of planning processes, setting up outcomes evaluation systems, carrying out external evaluations, people management, team development, facilitation, group work, communication skills, training and presentation skills.
My work has involved me supporting many small and medium sized voluntary and community organisations as they seek to consolidate and/or develop their services. I have also supported the planning processes of service teams within larger voluntary organisations.
I am accustomed to working with organisations whose clients whose experiences require a sensitive approach, because of the nature of the service (for example domestic abuse, newly arrived families, sex work) or the political issues facing the organisation (for example where relationships with other organisations are critical)..
I have a specialist qualification for working as a third sector consultant – the Advanced Professional Diploma, Consulting in the Community from Leeds Metropolitan University (which was run in partnership with Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation.)
I also have organisational and business development experience gained in the private and public sectors which supports my knowledge for the third sector.
Some examples of my current and recent work are:
External Evaluation for Manchester Action on Street Health
Facilitation of strategic away days for a number of medium sized charities, involving Boards and/or staff teams
External supervision of 3 chief executives of medium sized charities
Board development process following merger of two organisations
Delivery of open access training courses for Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation
I use a focussed yet flexible approach, underpinned by my wide ranging experience, to support organisations to be well placed to achieve their ambitions.
Expertise
I have a strong focus on strategic and business planning, people management, team development and evaluation. I carry out both consultancy and training in these areas.
Aspects of work this may cover include: vision and value setting, strategic management support, facilitation of planning processes, setting up outcomes evaluation systems, carrying out external evaluations, people management, team development, facilitation, group work, communication skills, training and presentation skills.
My work has involved me supporting many small and medium sized voluntary and community organisations as they seek to consolidate and/or develop their services. I have also supported the planning processes of service teams within larger voluntary organisations.
I am accustomed to working with organisations whose clients whose experiences require a sensitive approach, because of the nature of the service (for example domestic abuse, newly arrived families, sex work) or the political issues facing the organisation (for example where relationships with other organisations are critical)..
I have a specialist qualification for working as a third sector consultant – the Advanced Professional Diploma, Consulting in the Community from Leeds Metropolitan University (which was run in partnership with Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation.)
I also have organisational and business development experience gained in the private and public sectors which supports my knowledge for the third sector.
Some examples of my current and recent work are:
External Evaluation for Manchester Action on Street Health
Facilitation of strategic away days for a number of medium sized charities, involving Boards and/or staff teams
External supervision of 3 chief executives of medium sized charities
Board development process following merger of two organisations
Delivery of open access training courses for Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation
Experience
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Sarah Forster
Independent Consultant
- Current -
Manchester Metropolitan University
Course Coordinator
2009 - 2011Coordination of 7 day Inspiring Leaders course for 23 voluntary and community sector leaders in Manchester. Facilitation of each training day involving MMU tutors and specialist speakers. -
Manchester City Council
Head of Voluntary Sector Policy & Grants Unit
2000 - 2001Developing local authority strategy and policy for the voluntary sector, overseeing grants programmes, managing team of staff (Maternity Leave cover) -
After Adoption
TALKadoption Manager
1997 - 2000Project management and development from its initial concept of the national helpline for young people with an adoption connection. Involving a small team of paid staff and a large team of volunteers who underwent a bespoke training programme. -
GEC Alsthom
Sales & Marketing Manager, Project Engineer
1989 - 1995Coordination and development roles in the railway industry, for projects in the UK and abroad
Qualifications
MEng, Electrical Engineering with Management Studies
Imperial College, London 1985 – 1989
Advanced Professional Diploma, Consulting in the Community
Leeds Metropolitan University 1996 – 1997
Diploma in Counselling
Accept, Preston College 1996 – 1998
