Carla Gill

Experience

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  Play Action International (formerly East African Playgrounds)

  Apr 2009 - Nov 2020

  Founding Director

  The UK registered charity and international NGO taking a determinedly child-centred approach to education and the power of play to significantly transform childhood experience, opportunities and skills. The charity has to date built +350 playgrounds and provided work opportunities to +60 disadvantaged young adults. Major partnerships have been developed with UNICEF, Plan International, Save the Children, World Vision and DFID.Established and led the strategic development of a thriving charity positively impacting +450,000 children living in refugee settlements in Uganda. Achieved annual growth of +50% year on year, with annual income growing to +£1.2M.Increased beneficiaries from 1500 to +180,000 per year, and from 1 to +120 playground installations a year.Grew the largest independent charity trek in the UK university, from concept and design to implementation across 38 universities and 400 people attending a year.Significantly raised the charity’s profile with partners, trusts, foundations, corporates and alumni networks: Increased Volunteer Alumni involvement from <2% to >67% within a two-year period.Became an award-winning team by empowering staff to be ambitious, whilst backing them by nominating and winning them winning awards such as IoF Fundraiser of the Year 2019.Develop strong partnerships with International NGOs, Government departments and educational institutions.Develop Educational Play and teacher training programmes for refugee children working alongside UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and the Office of Prime Minister.Established family support for refugees in West Nile, utilising NLP, where mental ill health is at a staggeringly high rate.Influenced the Early Year agenda, ensuring play-based learning was a focus and provision was considered for the future.Worked as part of the Education in Emergency working group and Refugee crisis groups in Uganda, speaking about the importance of play in childhood at conference. Show less

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  Challengers

  Nov 2020 - Dec 2022

  Head of Fundraising and Communications

  Challengers break down the barriers to play for disabled children and young people. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, during a period without a full-time CEO, I worked to scope out a new path for a changing future to ensure the continuation of the longevity and quality of service provided to the beneficiaries. Whilst also working to improve the working environment for the staff, implementing different initiatives such as the Mental Health Wellbeing Champions and reestablishing the charities values.As Head of Fundraising and Communications, I have created and implemented the strategic approach for a changing organisation whilst implementing and developing the systems, structures and people to deliver income generation during a challenging time for the organisation. I have worked to build a happier team through increasing morale and implementing structures and processes to increase efficiency. Show less

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  Your Charity Coach

  Jan 2023 - now

  Coaching & Consulting

  I support a wide range of charity sector professionals, from senior leadership members and heads of department to dynamic new professionals in the sector. I offer guidance and support in strategic planning, impact analysis, fundraising growth/development and change management. Having founded and handed over a successful international development charity from scratch, I often work with charity founders as they transition within their organisation.Recent work I have completed:- Program design & facilitator for Minds Young Refugee & asylum seeker programme (Feb 2023 - Feb 2025)- Interim Co-Director for Hope for the Future (Aug - Oct 2023)- Delivery of Team Building days for Herts Young Homeless, Herts Mind Network & VCFSE Alliance- Supporting dozens of Founders through succession planning & change management- Coaching clients on confidence, career change & conflict resolution Show less