‘I GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED
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PTAs can be more than just fairs and bake sales. Charity development manager Pamela Walker tells Carol Rogerson how to launch a successful project that extends beyond the school gates
22 AUTUMN 2023
pta.co.uk
regularly see kind people with creative ideas that would benefit others stumble because of basic and avoidable missteps. It’s a
heartbreaker!’ says Pamela Walker. In her book Making a Difference:
Setting up Sustainable, Community- Based Projects (Ortus Press), Pamela explains the stages of establishing and maintaining a successful initiative. ‘It’s a straightforward process once you know what to do,’ she says. ‘After 35 years, I had a lot of experience to pass on, but I can’t get to everyone individually, hence the book. It’s a practical toolkit – basic grassroots stuff.’ PTAs can learn from her approach
too. Parents’ pockets are only so deep, and new projects can attract funding and support outside the parent community. Having a charity structure in place means you’re not starting from scratch. All it takes is some know-how and ambition.
How do we start the conversation? PW: Whether the idea comes from the school or the PTA, initial discussions with school leaders will help you understand and define it. For example, if the school asks for funds to help develop a garden, could it include an allotment with some community access? Will there be a sensory garden for SEN pupils? Approach these meetings as an opportunity to prepare for questions that will inevitably come later from community organisations and funders. They are also a chance to practise telling your story in a meaningful way.
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