Resma Patel

Resma Patel is a freelance Charity Trusts & Foundations Bid-writer.  She supports small charities to develop their fundraising strategy, write grant applications, advise on project development, community consultations, monitoring and evaluation.

Tell us about your journey with Pilotlight.

I applied to Pilotlight to my build confidence and gain some experience in strategic charity development, as I was struggling to secure promotions or middle management positions.

Since working with my Pilotlighter team and charity, I’ve gained confidence, realised that I have considerable experience and I have gone full-time self-employed rather than continue to struggle to gain advancement in the corporate world.

Why did you become a Pilotlighter?

I wanted to my build confidence and see how supporting charities over 12 months in a consultancy type role differs from the experience I have. I also wanted to give back.

What has been your biggest challenge?

The charity we worked with was very reluctant to accept advice or make changes. It felt like we were going round in circles.

What’s surprised you most?

My Pilotlighter colleagues have been very supportive and extremely knowledgeable.

What’s your proudest moment?

In the last meeting we held, the charity showed a definite change of attitude and a sense of progress being made.

Tell us about the impact Pilotlight has had on you, both personally and professionally.

Personally: A renewed confidence in my abilities as a charity developer.

Professionally: I’ve stopped chasing the promotion and gone freelance.

Is there anything you wished you'd known as a first time Pilotlighter? What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a Pilotlighter via the Ignite Initiative?

Trust the process and use the time to build relationships with your colleagues

Describe being a Pilotlighter in three words.

Giving back meaningfully