About us

We are Maria and Caz, charity consultants, who spend our days talking with charity leaders about the real challenges of the job.

We noticed an appetite for practical solutions and honest, shared experience.

So we created the Sofa Sessions - a dedicated space for expert insight, open conversations and practical problem solving.

Why ‘sofa sessions?’

Because the events are relaxed and informal, and include comfortable seating (plus good snacks). Like a fireside chat, but on a sofa.

What to expect

Each session follows the same simple format. Here's what a typical session looks like:

• Arrive, grab a drink, and settle in.

• Our special guests - experts in the day's theme - will join us on the sofas for an open, informal conversation: sharing their perspectives, insights, and real-world learnings.

• You'll have plenty of time to ask questions before moving into small groups.

• Together, you'll examine the specific challenges you're facing on the day’s theme, drawing on the collective experience of the group to find practical, actionable solutions.

• We'll close by coming back together to share what we've learned.

You will leave with:

• Practical ideas to put into practice

• Clarity on something you've been stuck on

• Renewed energy to tackle what's ahead

The theme of the next session is:

Overwhelm, what is it, why is it so prevalent in our sector, and what can we do about it?

Joining us on the Sofa, our experts are:

• Pam Howard: psychotherapist, professional mentor and senior academic at Brighton University, with specific experience in burnout and professional overwhelm.

• Gary Bishop, charity founder, CEO, leadership coach and fellow struggler with overwhelm and burnout.

Why this theme?

Many of the charity leaders we speak to are stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed. This is borne out by research from Fair Collective which shows:

• 85% of small charity leaders in England experienced poor mental health due to their role.

• Of this, 20% reported a severe impact with incidences of suicidal thoughts, hospitalisation and burn out.

• Those working in health, education, or with children and young people experienced the worst impact on their mental health.

Booking info:

Join us at our next session:

• Friday, 24th April

• 10am — 12pm

• 5th floor, Platf9rm, Tower Point, North Road, Brighton

• £25 per person (plus eventbrite fee)