This website exists to share ideas and resources for sustaining organisations, leaders and their impact.
Get in touch with your ideas, questions and suggestions.
(+44) 01506 23 95 95
Read our latest articles
and explore the archive here
Lasting Leadership: building sustainable capacity
In summer 2022, Sacro invited us to develop a bespoke leadership development programme to support their managers and team leaders from across Scotland. Building leadership capacity Following the launch of their strategic plan Sacro were keen to continue...
From services to system change
Shelter Scotland has committed to a 10-year strategy designed to transform not just the charity, but the housing system and the country. These ambitious goals are grounded in evidence, backed by actions and clear measures of success to which it – and the wider system...
Advance? Retreat!
In 2019 we came up with a way to create capacity for people to do the things they never get done. It was so good that after successful pilots and amazing feedback we even trademarked it – Advance Retreats. The idea is simplicity itself – but very powerful. We book a...
A sense of belonging
Collaborative and inclusive strategy development Health in Mind recently invited us to support a collaborative approach to the development of their new strategic plan for 2023-2028. The process - and end product - are great examples of sustainable strategy in action....
Shaping organisational and system change
The power of collaborative learning and commissioning Future Pathways recently invited us to facilitate a six-month Action Learning Programme, involving delivery partner organisations and Future Pathways’ team members. Here is the learning that emerged: an example of...
Sustainable Funding with the Gannochy Trust
How can funders best support charities? Is funding enough or should they provide capacity building support? It might seem a no-brainer: ‘Give us the money’, as Bob Geldof famously said. But every time I’ve reviewed a funding programme, the call from charities has been...
Punk it up! Inside the new studio
One of the motivations behind our new strategy was to give me more time and space for creativity, writing and design. I also wanted to be in the office on days off without it feeling like 'work'. So over Easter my office became - a studio! I've got no DIY skills, so...
Collective capacity building – taking action together
Action Together are an infrastructure organisation with a belief in the power of collective activity. By investing in local capacity, they actively enhance the sustainability of the sector they serve. In Rochdale, this included working with us to provide support for...
Steering the Ship with Cumbria CVS
A guest blog from Gordon Henry, Cumbria CVS. For many in the not-for-profit sector in Cumbria the last 10 years have been difficult to navigate through. The excitement of working together to “do things differently and to do different things” creates opportunities but...
Sharing learning, building capacity
As one of the best-known funders in Scotland, Corra Foundation’s mission is to make a difference to the lives of people and communities, by encouraging positive change, opportunities, fairness and growth of aspirations. As part of their work, Corra Foundation...
Increase your capacity – build other people’s
We all know the question. ‘How will you sustain your project’s impact when the funding stops?’ Interestingly, although many funders ask it, most don’t know why. I know, because I’ve asked over 50 of them, one to one or in workshops. Mostly, it seems they ask it...
The journey starts with a commitment
Carers Link East Dunbartonshire are faced with a challenge that so many charities can relate to: when you’re full to capacity, how do you make the space to focus on long-term sustainability? It hasn’t been for the want of trying; the team have attended Lasting...
Invest in capacity
Update: applications are now closed for this year's action learning programmes. These are special six-month leadership and organisational development opportunities. Developed by the Lasting Difference team, the programmes offer you protected time and space to:...
Building capacity in Befriending Networks
This case study, written for us by outgoing CEO Sarah Van Putten, shares valuable lessons in how a membership organisation can develop the capacity of its members. Befriending Networks are the national intermediary supporting almost 400 befriending...
Same storm, different boats
Case study: Sustainable mental health for all The pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of people all over the country. But people who already experience inequality have been far more adversely affected. That’s why Mental Health Foundation have...
Shelter Scotland’s commitment to change
Shelter Scotland have become our latest Symbol Holders, demonstrating commitment to the key Lasting Difference capabilities below. Impact measurement Developing an outcomes framework across the organisation has created a structure for measuring performance against...
There’s nothing comic about dyslexia
Dyslexia Scotland might be a small organisation, but it is made up of incredible people – and not just its paid staff. By working with changemakers, the organisation’s new strategy (which we wrote about in a recent newsletter) extends the charity’s reach and...
Why Giraffes have brass necks – system leadership in practice
“People coming together, you can see the leaders and organisations that are equally placed to join up and work together on stuff.” Our practical guide to system leadership features real-life examples of inspiring people. People who choose to do something about the...
With sustainability in mind
Health in Mind is the latest organisation to be awarded the Lasting Difference Symbol, recognising its commitment to sustainability. The charity is one of Scotland’s best-known and trusted mental health organisations. Since 1982, the organisation has been promoting...
Focusing on the core: Sacro awarded the Symbol.
We’re delighted to welcome Sacro as the latest member of our Lasting Difference Symbol Holders’ network. Sacro provide support for people in and leaving the criminal justice sector, for vulnerable people who are victims of crime, for people affected by homelessness...
Our Octopus Teachers
This month, we were thrilled by CLAN's creative adaptation of the Octopus Paradox into an engaging activity for a team day. "We had lots of fun and laughs with Octopussy 🐙 to demonstrate what sustainability means to us, in line with our 3 year strategy." Read more...
Tame the octopus: idea screening and selection
We've always said the way to cope with the sustainability paradoxes is to screen new ideas. But we've not shared a 'Lasting Difference' way to do this. Until now. Our straightforward new idea screening tool helps you assess new initiatives with long term...
Shine a Light – system capacity and leadership
The systems you are part of are unsustainable. Change is needed. But your role relates to just one part of system, so how do you lead the way? You shine a light, with our new guide to system capacity and leadership. It's a practical guide for people interested...
Guided by the Stars – our strategy for the future
We've been working on this one since spring but are finally ready to share! Our new strategy is out now and available for download below. This post contains everything else we couldn't fit into the two-page summary! Download the strategy here. What's happening and...
Volunteering the sustainable way.
We’re delighted to award the Lasting Difference Symbol to Larkhall and District Volunteer Group (LDVG). The group deliver activities and services which promote the wellbeing of the 55+ community in South Lanarkshire. When lockdown happened in 2020, like most...
Learned helpfulness
Two years of responding to trauma has become a learned behaviour. Overwhelmed by circumstances and events beyond our control, we stop looking for ways out or recognising help when it comes along. 'Learned helplessness' is when we start losing the capacity to engage,...
Elearning double bill!
This autumn provides the perfect opportunity to take a deep dive into The Lasting Difference toolkit with an elearning double bill. We're opening up enrolments to our established Practices and Principles course along with our brand new course, The Five Capabilities....
Feeling summary?
Everyone is busy. But no-one is too busy for our quick read summaries! We began adding 50 word executive summaries to our guides a while ago. We know people are busy and don't always have the time to work through a 50 page guide. Even when they know it will create...
Annual Lasting Leadership programme open for applications
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are inviting applications for our next Lasting Leadership action learning programme. The programme is aimed at people who want to explore and develop sustainable leadership capacity in their organisation. Previous participants...
Lasting Leadership: Equalities
The Lasting Leadership guide to sustainable charity leadership is now complete! Today we're publishing part four of the series, Lasting Leadership: Equalities. You can download the guide here, updated from the original guide following two years of further research,...