NSPCC staff win award for innovative training course

Two NSPCC staff have been given a prestigious government - backed National Training Award for designing a fundraising course which uses actors as donors.

Rob Woods and Alana Tubasei were presented with the Greater London Training Award in recognition of their 'outstanding contribution and commitment to learning and development in the workplace' at a London ceremony on Tuesday (October 12).

The pair were recognised for their roles in developing an innovative Major Gifts training programme. The new course helped fundraisers improve their confidence and skills by asking for gifts from actors who were pretending to be donors. The feedback from the actors made a big difference to fundraisers' self-awareness and confidence.

Rob Woods, Fundraising Training Manager said: "The award has highlighted how a practical in-house course helps fundraisers generate more meetings, make more asks and receive more gifts. Helping fundraisers to succeed through great training is key to our fundraising strategy and this important cross-sector award recognises the difference good training makes to your financial results.''

Alana Tubasei, Head of High Value Donors, said: "It's an honour to have won such a prestigious award and to see the quality and innovation of the NSPCC's training and investment in its people recognised." 
 
Paul Amadi, NSPCC Director of Fundraising, said: "This course has helped our fundraisers to secure major financial gifts in spite of the difficult economic environment. Following the course, fundraisers have increased their activity levels and the financial rewards have been clear to see. This surge in activity and income has been invaluable as it has meant that during a recession we have still been able to generate significant major giving income and so continue to fund vital work to protect children."

Run on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) by UK Skills, the National Training Awards inspires and encourages UK industry to invest in training and development as a route to achieving outstanding organisational and individual success. City & Guilds is the premier sponsor of the 2010 National Training Awards.

Rob will be sharing techniques from this award-winning course at the Institute of Fundraising's Major Donors Conference on 7th February 2011.

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About the NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people.

National Training Awards, brought to you by UK Skills
The National Training Awards recognise those individuals and organisations throughout the UK that have achieved outstanding business and personal success through investment in training. Winning an Award is recognition of best practice and provides a benchmark for standards of excellence in training in the UK.