Spring Impact Spring Impact

Social Impact at Scale

Spring Impact Spring Impact

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale

A 4 month programme equipping you with the know-how and confidence to lead your organisation on the journey to reaching more people.

“I learnt things that I did not even know that I needed to know around the importance of process and structure and frameworks." (Previous participant)

Are you a social leader who wants to lead your organisation on its journey to reach more people?

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale will give two members of your team valuable skills, the opportunity to learn from others, and the space and support to reflect, so they can become agents of change within your organisation.

Using a ‘Train the Trainer’ approach, the programme will put you in the driving seat of your organisation’s scaling journey.

You’ll learn all you need to know about scale (from key methodologies and concepts to strategic approaches and financial modelling), while gaining the leadership capabilities necessary to implement your plans going forward.

Applications open until Monday, 12 April 2021, at 11:59pm.

The programme will take place between June and September 2021.

Applications now closed

Register your interest for future cohorts

What you'll leave with

Participants will leave the programme with:
  • Vital leadership skills, including change management, strategy development, and financial modelling
  • Knowledge of frameworks and tools to help you make effective strategic decisions for your scaling plans
  • An understanding of the financial implications of your scaling plan
  • The know-how to take your solution to scale, and to adapt it as you learn
  • A clear plan for how to replicate your proven solution
  • Practical tools to bring back to your organisation
  • A peer network of forward-thinking social leaders to support you as you scale

 “I have been in the business for a very long time. What I gained from the programme was the monetising – I looked at it in a new way.”– (Previous participant)

Not sure? Why not check out:

Intensive Consultancy

Find out if this route is a better fit

Who it's for

To take part, participants need to meet the following criteria:

  • Leaders working for nonprofit organisations of any size – if you have a proven solution and are starting to consider scaling, this programme is for you
  • Leaders who are keen to build the skills and confidence to drive their organisation’s journey to scale
  • Leaders whose roles are focused on future strategy and sustainability

All applicants must be working for registered charities or social enterprises with a UK-based project.

Check out the full eligibility via our quiz.

Not sure? Why not check out:

Intensive Consultancy

Find out if this route is a better fit
“

Having the space to reflect and think has built our confidence. It has also opened up and built the communication links between staff and the board.

”
— Previous participant

What does Leaders of Scale involve?

Training sessions

Training sessions

The programme will involve two members of your team, with one acting as the lead internally. They will receive 8 half-day training sessions from our team of expert consultants, covering the following themes:

  • Getting your organisation ready for scale
  • Developing a strategy for scale
  • Developing a model for scaling
  • Working out the financial implications
“I have learnt to steer discussion so I can actually solve problems” – (Previous participant)

Peer to peer support

Learning together

The programme will consist of a carefully selected cohort of social leaders with huge potential who are committed to scaling their mission so they can achieve greater impact. You’ll get to:

  • Share challenges and support one another (e.g through regular action learning sets and events)
  • Hear from and speak to alumni organisations who have already scaled

Support from our consultants

Hands-on support

You will receive support from our team of consultants, including: 

  • Fortnightly coaching call with a dedicated Spring Impact consultant
  • Support in financial modelling from an expert consultant, who will share templates, tips, and feedback on your work

Programme Fees

The Scale Accelerator programme is generously funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The true cost of the programme is £5,000 per organisation.

The required contribution for each organisation taking part is £800, covering the participation of two members of staff.

Think it might be for you?

Check your eligibility

Complete this short quiz.
Or check out the Intensive Consultancy route.

FAQs

We’re not a UK organisation. Can we still apply?

Unfortunately this programme is only for the UK based organisations looking to maximise the impact of interventions in the UK, as this is a condition of our funders The National Lottery Community Fund. If you’re still looking for scale support, please see our consultancy support and don’t hesitate to get in touch to explore what options could be good for you. 

What will be expected of us?

The Leaders of Scale programme will involve two individuals per organisation, with one acting as the lead internally.

To make the most out of this opportunity and make the programme a success, participants be expected to take part in multiple sessions and exercises.

How much time will be required from our team?

The scale lead would need to commit approx. 11 days of time for the programme, spread evenly over the 4 month period. This will include:

  • One half day each week to attend cohort training sessions and facilitate internal working sessions with senior leadership team
  • Some time for doing light-touch market research and financial modelling at relevant points

Another leader from your organisation, alongside the scale lead, will need to commit to:

  • Attending the fortnightly sessions (approx. ½ day every fortnight)
  • Attend fortnightly internal working sessions with your senior leadership team to work through the questions and exercises from the training

Additionally, both members of your team will need to commit to a 1 hour long coaching session fortnightly, and half a day per month for cohort events.

What about COVID-19? How will that impact the programme?

We are planning for workshops and cohort events to take place remotely initially. We have proven our ability over the last few months to adapt our approach to online and are confident that organisations will continue to benefit from high quality interaction with their consulting teams. When it is safe to do so, we will aim to complete these activities in person. We will of course engage you in this decision.

Does my organisation need to work in a particular sector to apply?

No. We are not focusing on any particular sector for the next cohort. As long as you are a UK-based non-profit that meets the eligibility criteria, you can apply. We are particularly interested in applications from:

  • Organisations addressing an issue that has worsened as a result of COVID-19
  • Organisations based in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
  • Organisations led by people with lived experience
  • Organisations supporting BAME groups and/or with BAME leadership

Do I need to be in a specific leadership role to be able to apply?

One of the two members of your team who are taking part will need to:

  • Have future strategy and sustainability as part of their job remit (rather than focusing on the day-to-day running of the organisation)
  • Be senior enough to facilitate strategic discussions internally and drive forward change within the organisation.
    In an organisation with less than 15 staff members, we would expect the CEO to be the main participant. In a larger organisation, it might be a senior manager who has the influence and capacity to drive forward strategic change.

Not sure? Why not check out Scale Accelerator:

Intensive Consultancy

A 6 month, highly-subsidised programme offering over £35,000 worth of bespoke consultancy and peer to peer learning support.
Find out more

Want to find out more?

Watch our webinar

Watch a recording of our Scale Accelerator Taster Session to find out more about the programme and whether it's the perfect fit for you.
Watch here

Scale Accelerator Case Studies

Learnings and insights

Previous Scale Accelerator participants

Leaders of Scale

Age UK Cheshire provides care and support services to elderly people including physical and mental health and be an active member of their community. This in turn empowers them to love later life. We worked with Age UK Cheshire to explore how their Men in Sheds programme could be scaled up.

Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale

A Band of Brothers is a nonprofit established by men committed to positive social change through personal development and community building. A Band of Brothers was a participant in our first UK Scale Accelerator  programme.

Leaders of Scale

Bikeworks is a London based non-profit social enterprise that uses cycling as a tool to tackle social and environmental challenges in the community. It aims to build a diverse cycling community, initiate capability of mechanical skills and supports businesses to be greener.

Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale

Groundswell is a nonprofit which works to tackle homelessness by working with homeless people and enable othem to take more control of their lives, have a greater influence on services, and therefore set a chain reaction of togetherness and opportunity. We worked with Groundswell to scale the impact of their Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Programme that partners former homeless with current homeless, to ensure health appointments are met.

Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale

Leonard Cheshire Disability is a nonprofit supporting disabled people in the UK and around the world to remain active members of society, fulfil their potential and establish their independence.  We specifically helped Leonard Cheshire to scale their CAN DO project: a volunteer programme for 16-35-year-olds across the UK.

 
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale

RECLAIM is a social change organisation that challenges the homogeneity that exists in the leadership profiles across UK society and supports youths and the working class people.

 
Leaders of Scale

Safer Places is a nonprofit which provides a comprehensive range of services to adults and children affected by domestic and sexual abuse, not only offering safe accommodation (West Essex, Mid Essex, Hertfordshire and Southend) but helping victims to overcome these experiences and build a better future for themselves.

Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale

Staying Put is a UK nonprofit which offers a range of services to victims and survivors of domestic abuse and aims to empower them to safely remain in their own home and community.

Leaders of Scale

Street Doctors is a UK nonprofit who change the lives of high risk young people by giving them the skills they need to deliver life-saving first aid. Through the programme Street Doctors aim to increase the confidence and aspirations of youths, give them a sense of responsibility for their actions and help them to change their attitudes towards violence.

We facilitated an initial workshop with Street Doctors to consider their replication potential and are now providing ongoing support and advice to Street Doctors as they develop a replication model for international expansion.

Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale

The Reader is an award winning UK social enterprise working to connecting people with great literature through shared reading. Furthermore, it pioneers the use of shared reading to improve well-being, reduce social isolation and build resilience across diverse communities.

Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale

Vi-ability, based in North Wales, is a social enterprise working with young adults to transform struggling community sports clubs into viable, thriving businesses and hubs, using this as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and engaging youths into local communities. It provides opportunities to develop skills by offering training, work experience and qualifications in commercial sports management.

Leaders of Scale
Leaders of Scale
Action West London is a social enterprise that runs Acton Street Market, which brings diverse communities together by creating entrepreneurial opportunities and an inclusive, high profile public space.
Leaders of Scale
Urban Uprising is a Scotland-based charity using rock-climbing to improve the wellbeing of at-risk 8 to 18 year olds in the UK who are disadvantaged by poverty, health and other inequalities.
Leaders of Scale
Settle is a London charity that supports vulnerable young people moving into their first home, as part of a mission to break the cycle of youth homelessness
Leaders of Scale
PeacePlayers International is a cross-community charity that uses basketball to unite, educate and inspire young people in Northern Ireland, as a means to promote peace and reconciliation
Leaders of Scale
Social Bite is a social enterprise running an employment support programme for vulnerable and marginalised people experiencing homelessness across Scotland
Leaders of Scale
Humber All Nations Alliance is a charity promoting the  well-being of Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and migrant communities throughout Hull and the Humber.
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