Spring Impact Spring Impact

Social Impact at Scale

Spring Impact Spring Impact

Scale Accelerator:

Leaders of Scale

A 6-month intensive training programme supporting a select group of ambitious social leaders to build the skills, knowledge, and mindsets needed to grow the reach and impact of your organisation.

"It has afforded us the opportunity to develop ideas not previously considered, ultimately improving our impact and reach as well as business resilience and sustainability.” - Rebecca Atkinson, Director, Chiltern Music Therapy

Do you have a proven solution to a social issue that you know could help even more people? Are you looking to strengthen your skills and knowledge to make that happen?

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale will equip two members of your team with the know-how and confidence to lead your organisation on a pathway to reaching more people.

Using a ‘Train the Trainer’ approach, the programme will put you in the driving seat of your organisation’s scaling journey. You’ll gain the time, space, and support to take stock, develop your scaling plans, and progress them by applying the programme learnings directly in your organisation. 

You’ll learn alongside a carefully selected cohort of social leaders with huge potential, taking part in action learning sets and other peer-learning activities where you’ll challenge, support, and inspire each other.

By the end of the programme, you’ll have:

  • A clear, actionable plan for scaling sustainably
  • Frameworks and tools to bring back to your team
  • The knowledge and confidence to lead your organisation’s journey to scale

Applications closed

Please note that funded and subsidised Leaders of Scale cohorts will not be available for the immediate future.

If you're interested in programmes like Leaders of Scale, be sure to register your interest below to stay in touch and find out when new relevant programmes or cohorts will be available.

If you want to prepare to take your solution to scale, register your interest for 'Getting Scale Ready', a new programme helping leaders ensure solutions are scalable, impactful and sustainable. Launching soon.

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Register interest in Getting Scale Ready

Programme details

Programme Fees

To be confirmed.

Dates

To be confirmed.

Time commitment

Two members of your team will be taking part, with both expected to commit around 11 days spread over the 6 month period.

Location

The programme will take place fully online, with sessions held via Zoom or other online platforms.

The long-term benefits

After receiving support from Spring Impact, organisations have:

  • Expanded their solution to several locations –“We have been able to double the size of our work.” (Previous participant)
  • Accessed funding to pursue their scale journey – many of our Alumni report that Scale Accelerator has helped them unlock new funding.
  • Identified high quality partners to work with – see our WeVolution case study here.
  • Found ways to reach more people sustainably – “At the beginning, as an organisation we were unsure about our direction. After one year, we were having sustainability.” (Previous participant)
  • Built movements to effect systems change at scale – see our Mayday case study here.

What will you gain by taking part?

Organisational outcomes

The programme will help you lead your organisation towards reaching more people. You will leave with:

  • A clear action plan and strategy for replicating your proven solution
  • Buy-in from your team and board
  • Practical and transferable frameworks and tools to build the capacity of your wider team
  • A strong case to bring to funders and partners

“Having the time booked in my diary to focus on this area has supported the organisation’s development and growth. Enormously.”– Vicki Dawson, The Sleep Charity

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Professional development outcomes

Two members of your team will be equipped with the abilities and support needed to drive organisational change, leaving with:

  • Vital leadership skills -including financial modelling for your replication model, change management, strategic thinking and development
  • A peer network of forward-thinking social leaders to support you
  • The know-how to develop a scale strategy and model, and to adapt it as you learn 
  • The space and time to reflect on your scaling plans
  • Knowledge and skills that can be transferred to other programmes or in your future career

“[Leaders of Scale] helped give me credibility to drive this work forward with senior leadership internally.” – Samantha Sherratt, Red Balloon Learner Centres

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“

It has genuinely been full of new knowledge, information, and has given me a new way of thinking about scale and impact. I wish I had been to this course 8 years ago.

”
Rosie Axon, Chiltern Music Therapy

Who it's for

The programme is for leaders of organisations that are planning on replicating a proven solution. We are looking for two leaders from each organisation who are:

  • Working for a nonprofit organisation of any size – if you have a proven solution and are starting to consider scaling through replication, this programme is for you
  • Keen to build the skills and confidence to drive their organisation’s journey to scale
  • Working in roles focused on future strategy and sustainability
  • Able to dedicate the capacity to engage with the programme, 11 days throughout the 6-month programme.

All applicants must be working for registered charities or social enterprises.

Programme elements

Learning together

The programme will consist of a cohort of just 6-8 carefully chosen organisations with huge potential who are committed to scaling their mission so they can achieve greater impact. This small, select group will allow you to build deeper relationships – you’ll get to:

  • Share ideas and build on your learning together throughout the training sessions 
  • 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

“It was very useful to have the chance to meet other organisations that were at different points of scaling.” – Previous Leaders of Scale participant

Training sessions

The programme will involve two members of your team, taking part in group training sessions with our team of scale experts and other participants.  This is where you will learn key concepts and how to apply them to your organisations. They will cover the following four modules: 

  • Getting Scale Ready 
  • Developing a Scale Strategy
  • Designing a scale model
  • Creating an action plan and pitch for funders and partners 

“The programme was truly transformative for us, giving us clarity, guidance and a plan that accelerated us forward” – Mayday Trust

1 to 1 support 

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

  • Coaching calls (approx 8 x 1 hr calls) with a dedicated Spring Impact consultant at key milestones throughout the programme. 
  • Support in financial modelling from an expert consultant, who will share templates, tips, and feedback on your work

“It’s helped hold us accountable to actually doing this important work” – Lisa Artis, The Sleep Charity

Meet the trainers

Our team of scale experts will help you learn all you need to know about scale, and support you throughout the programme.

This year’s programme will be led by Alice Metcalf, Spring Impact Senior Consultant and Nikesh Sharma, Spring Impact Consultant.

“The consultants have provided us with real direct challenge. They’ve not been afraid to ask the difficult questions.” – Josh Cronin, Evolve

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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?

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

These will involve: 

  • Group sessions: These are contact points with Spring Impact and other participants. Sessions will cover learning objectives, set-up, wrap-up and reflections for each sprint
  • Sprints: These are intensive 2-4 week periods with multiple group sessions where you will learn key concepts and how to apply them to your  organisations
  • ​​Team engagement: Bringing your team and stakeholders along on your scale journey and developing buy-in is critical for the success of your scaling efforts. Throughout the programme, you will be expected to engage your team.. This includes activities such as facilitating workshops with your team. 
  • Preparation and Homework: You will be expected to spend time outside of group training sessions to engage in preparation materials, finishing activities from the group training sessions, reflecting and engaging with your team members, and preparing for coaching calls.

How much time will be required from our team?

Both participants (scale leads) would need to commit approx – 11 days of time for the programme, spread over the 6 month period. The programme is structured to include sprints for each of the 4 modules that include intensive time-boxed periods of two weeks to one month, with multiple group sessions, on alternating months, where you will learn key concepts followed by a period of time with no group sessions, approximately 3-4 weeks, so that you can apply the learnings and key concepts to your organisations and reflect on the progress. 

The time commitment is approximately as follows: 

  • Attend the group sessions (approx. 4-8 hours every other month) 
  • Prepare for sessions including engaging with preparation materials, completing homework tasks, reflecting on progress  (approx 2 hours per week during sprints) 
  • Some time for doing light-touch market research and financial modelling at relevant points
  • Facilitate at least 3 internal working sessions with your team and stakeholders to work through the questions and exercises from the training (approx 3 hours per working session)
  • Attend 1 hour long coaching session (8 in total) throughout the programme
  • Half a day per month for cohort event.

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?

The programme is recommended to leaders who are:

  • Working in roles focused on future strategy and sustainability
  • Keen to build the skills and confidence to drive their organisation’s journey to scale
  • Able to dedicate the time and capacity capacity to engage with the programme, 11 days throughout the 6-month programme

WANT TO PREPARE TO TAKE YOUR SOLUTION TO SCALE?

GETTING SCALE READY

This practical training programme helps leaders ensure solutions are scalable, impactful and sustainable. It equips you with the tools, mindsets and structures to overcome the most common barriers to scale and create a plan to get your organisation ready.
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Scale Accelerator case studies

Learnings and insights

Previous Scale Accelerator participants

Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Through the Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project, Alexandra Rose Charity gives families the spending power to eat good food. They work directly with children’s centres and community organisations supporting families in need, alongside market traders, to provide weekly Rose Vouchers, which can be spent on fruit and veg at local markets.
Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
CoachBright is a social mobility charity on a mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in becoming confident, independent, and resilient so they can lead the lives they want.

They partner with Primary and Secondary schools and universities in England to run face-to-face and virtual coaching programmes. Through partnering young people with relatable role models, we aim to raise their confidence, independence and attainment.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Since 2006, Commonweal has enabled experts and partner organisations to trial and test new ideas, approaches, and models designed to improve the lives of vulnerable or marginalised groups through property-based pilot projects.
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale

Core Arts is a not-for-profit Social Business. They promote positive mental health and well-being through creative learning.

We are running a full timetable of COVID-secure in-person creative courses at our centre and online Zoom courses, ideal for those who are self-isolating or prefer distance learning. 

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
At EQUIP, they envision empowering all teams involved in primary care to make improvements on an ongoing basis, which would have a tangible impact on staff joy and user experience.

EQUIP is a Quality Improvement programme that has been working with teams in primary care since 2016. They encourage our staff and citizens to become change agents and create a passionate community of practice.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
At Evolve, they work to transform the lives of children and young people by developing their attitude, agency and aspirations.
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Expert Link is a peer-led organisation championing the voice of people with lived experience of multiple disadvantages, including homelessness, mental health issues, substance misuse, offending, domestic violence and abuse. They aim to inspire, support and champion co-production, with the voices of people with lived experience at our heart.
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Franklin Scholars was founded in 2013 with the goal of using peer mentoring to help students in the transition into secondary school. In the ten years since, they have now worked in over 80 secondary schools across nine regions of England, providing in-school literacy or numeracy-focused peer-mentoring programmes, using our social and emotional skills development framework. This programme has now reached over 4,000 young people.
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit is a voluntary organisation supporting people subject to immigration control for over 25 years. They offer free legal immigration advice, representation and support services to people seeking asylum, refugees, children and vulnerable adults.
Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
KeyRing is a charity that provides social care support in England and Wales. Since 1990 our support has started with the simple question ‘what do you want from life?’ They connect people and inspire them to build the life they want.
Scale Accelerator: 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.

 
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Mayday Trust transformed itself from a traditional charity providing supported accommodation services, to a nationally-recognised voice for radical systems change. When Mayday heard from people that traditional services were failing to help and they were becoming trapped in broken systems, Mayday set about to transform the services it offered.
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
My Sisters Place are a Domestic Abuse Support Service and we provide support to those who have or who are experiencing domestic abuse. The service offers both practical, holistic and therapeutic support in regards to domestic abuse. Referrals to the service are accepted from a range of external agencies and self-referrals direct from the client. We are a needs led service using a trauma-informed approach.
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
At NCT, they envision that everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected, and safe because they believe parents help build the foundations of the future. That's why NCT is a charity with a clear and singular mission – they support people as they become parents. They’re here for you through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
Scale Accelerator: 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.

 
Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Spark Inside uses coaching to unlock individuals' potential and drive culture change in the criminal justice system so that rehabilitation is possible.
Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Streetwise Opera enables people who’ve experienced homelessness to find inspiration and empowerment while rebuilding their lives and identities.
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale

TLC: Talk, Listen, Change is a relationship charity that has supported people in North England for over 40 years.

They aim to ensure that everyone within our community benefits from good emotional well-being, and the key to this is maintaining safe, healthy, and happy relationships.

Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale

Tide works to expand the UK-wide network of carers and dementia professionals and raise awareness of the needs of unpaid carers of people with dementia. 

Scale Accelerator: 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.

Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
At WEvolution, they nurture collectives called Small, Powerful Groups: meaningful, resourceful and accountable communities where everyone can be a change-maker and an entrepreneur.
Scale Accelerator: 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.
Scale Accelerator: 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.
Scale Accelerator: 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
Scale Accelerator: 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
Scale Accelerator: Leaders of Scale
Social Bite is a social enterprise running an employment support programme for vulnerable and marginalised people experiencing homelessness across Scotland
Scale Accelerator: 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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