Learning valuable skills from local charities

Sharing Experience: Rob Thacker, Sona Insurance

We measure success by our ability to meet client needs, make strategic decisions, and drive growth. However, ability encompasses more than just tangible skills like sales and financial acumen.

Soft skills

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with volunteers from Home-Start Suffolk, a remarkable charity for which I serve as chair. Home-Start supports families across Suffolk through a team of around 300 volunteers and their work exemplifies the power of soft skills.

At a recent event, one volunteer, Ellen, shared her experience of supporting a mum named Zoe, who faced significant mobility challenges due to an old injury exacerbated by pregnancy. Zoe’s condition often left her bed-bound and struggling to manage the demands of her active toddler. Without local family support and limited social interactions, she felt isolated and overwhelmed.

Ellen befriended Zoe, listened to her concerns, and offered both practical and compassionate support. Despite her professional background in pharmaceutical procurement, she drew on her other abilities in listening, empathy, and diplomacy – skills she seldom used in her day job.

For six months, she visited Zoe weekly, providing consistent support tailored to Zoe’s health needs. Ellen’s commitment and kindness not only eased the young mum’s immediate challenges, but also empowered her with sustainable solutions for the future.

In the business world, we sometimes overlook these abilities, focusing instead on tangible outcomes and measurable achievements. Yet, as Ellen’s experience illustrates, soft skills are crucial in building strong, supportive relationships – both within our companies and our communities.

Making a connection

At Sona Insurance, where we specialise in providing personalised insurance solutions, we recognise the profound impact of community engagement. We are committed to spending more time with local charities like Home-Start Suffolk, learning about the diverse needs of the people we serve. This engagement not only enriches our perspective but also enhances our ability to connect with clients on a more personal level.

I encourage fellow business leaders, especially in sectors where deeper client relationships are paramount, to broaden their perspective beyond conventional success metrics and glean insights from charities and the voluntary sector. Not only can embracing the softer aspects of ability cultivate a more compassionate and supportive business environment, but we can also support our local charities through mutual skill sharing, to the benefit of both businesses and communities alike.

Drawing inspiration from dedicated volunteers and local charities who selflessly strive to make a difference, we can nurture a workplace culture that values both technical proficiency and interpersonal skills. By collaborating more widely with our non-profit sector, we can enrich our mutual organisations and develop a more skilled and empathetic workforce for the future.

Main photo shows: The Queen’s Garden Party 12th May 2022, where Home Start Suffolk received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Rob Thacker is on the left, Sylvia Owen, the longest volunteer at Home-Start Suffolk, James Sainsbury, Liz Hill-Smith, and Raj Sivlal from Home-Start UK.