Evidence-based support for charities and organisations growing fundraising and volunteering movements.

Laura smiling wearing dark blue top

About Laura

With 20 years’ experience in volunteering and fundraising, I help charities and social impact organisations build stronger volunteer movements and grow sustainable income from grants. I work across both areas to support joined-up, evidence-led strategies that strengthen services, resource delivery, and deepen impact. Since launching my consultancy in 2018, I’ve supported over 60 organisations — from grassroots groups to major national charities — raising over £10 million and transforming how teams engage supporters and funders alike.

Alongside strategy and delivery, I offer interim leadership during times of change, provide training for teams, boards, and networks, and regularly speak at national events — including as 2025 keynote at the DSC Future of Volunteering Conference. My work spans sectors from youth to justice, health to heritage, and I’m proud to collaborate with networks like NCVO, the Association of Chairs, and Fundraising Everywhere. I combine practical experience with academic insight — holding an MSc in Charity Fundraising and Marketing — and bring the perspective of a long-time trustee and active volunteer.

Find out more about my background and expertise.

  • ​​“Laura did an awesome job pulling together a case for support for our project and has brought it to a place where its ready for funding. The work she did scouring the fundraising landscape at an incredibly challenging time gave us a great pipeline to approach.”

    Felix Hilton, Cycling UK

  • “I am so grateful for all the support that Laura has given us. When we first started working together, Laura took the time to really understand who we are, and what we do. She has a fantastic approach to bid writing and her vast experience enables her to really identify the finer details needed to create a successful bid. I trust her advice implicitly. She is a colleague and a critical friend rolled into one. She won't take on work for the sake of it, and she won't attempt bids that don't fit into our long-term strategy. The community we serve are intrinsic to the bid writing process and Laura embeds this in all her work. With Laura’s support we have created an amazing foundation on which our charity can grow and flourish.”

    Robyn Thomas, Charity Founder

  • “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Laura. It's been so helpful, especially at the beginning when the group weren't quite sure what we wanted! The research conducted has given us a baseline understanding we have not had before. I hope we can work together again in the future!”

    Fran Crowther Project Lead

  • “Laura brought her expertise to deliver a great piece of work reviewing volunteer involvement. Thanks to her great final presentation we’ve got buy in needed for colleagues to make the well researched recommendations.”

    Judith Patrick Director of Operations

  • “Thanks so much for all of your wonderful research insights and recommendations and the great report on the potential for building volunteering at Dogs Trust. I am now very inspired by what we could do long term and able to act on the quick wins identified too. Thank you again for all the work you've put in on this. You've been a joy to work with.”

    Angela Massey, Head of Organisational Development

  • “At England Netball we work with the best in the business to drive the sport forward. As a Consultant Laura worked with us to create a game changing strategy for our 27 000 volunteers that we’re incredibly proud of. She delivered engaging workshops across our staff and volunteer teams to map volunteering opportunities and future requirements to produce an insight driven strategy”.

    Fran Connolly, CEO, England Netball

  • “The final report was well structured with case study introductions followed by excellent analysis. We are thrilled to publish the report which showcases some great findings that will help HE Archive, and other institutions too. Thanks again, Laura. You've been an absolute pleasure to work with and the rich insights and findings you've gathered are so beneficial to our sector. We would not hesitate to work with you again.”

    Charlotte Hill,  Archive Business and Service Development Manager

  • “Laura worked with Walking With The Wounded in 2020, and we renewed her contract twice. Laura led the team to develop a more professional and structured approach to Trust Fundraising at WWTW. She conducted detailed prospect research, migrating all Ts&Fs data onto a new CRM. Laura redesigned our stewardship journeys, managed relationships with a range of funders and secured £400,000 in new grants. Laura was a highly respected, valued and approachable colleague. She was always extremely professional in her interactions with different members and levels of the organisation, often being asked to speak at executive level meetings.  WWTW then re-engaged Laura in 2022 to conduct WWTW’s volunteer programme viability review, and made clear and concise recommendations with next steps. I would not hesitate to work with her again, and regularly recommend her to other Directors of Fundraising.”

    Kate Tabain, Director of Fundraising, Walking With The Wounded

  • “Laura has worked with our organisation on a couple of projects and both have been completed to an exceptional standard. During these projects she has planned in line with the brief provided, engaged with people both within and external to the organisation and she has produced some great final work. We found Laura to be well connected and an expert in her field. She has been incredibly easy to work with and has always produced work to agreed timescales. The projects she has worked on have helped move initiatives forward within across the organisation which we would have otherwise struggled to deliver.”

    Lindsay Hamer, Director of People and Culture

  • “Laura has been an impressive person to work with. Her initial approach and interactions were  well judged, creating a very good impression from the very beginning and she worked creatively to fine-tune the project to our needs. Her understanding of the volunteering space is first rate and her enthusiasm for volunteerism shines through. She is open to ideas and has a very warm and engaging manner. I have had great feedback from staff colleagues and outside partners who she’s included in the work”

    Nick Gallagher, The Solicitors’ Charity

  • "Laura has the rare skill of being able to take a strategic view of an organisation or problem and pull people together behind a solution. She has a detailed knowledge of volunteer management, in both small and large organisations as well as considerable expertise in charity governance and learning & development. Her calm and thoughtful presence will add value to any organisation.”

    Emily Hughes, Girlguiding UK

  • “Laura was a fantastic asset to our team, playing a key role in securing £400,000 in new funding and strengthening our Trusts & Foundations fundraising for long-term success. She streamlined our CRM, developed a strong pipeline of prospects, and created compelling cases for support that we continue to use. Laura also mentored our team, sharing best practices and ensuring we had the skills to sustain this income stream. While we’re not currently working together, we’d gladly collaborate again in the future. She remains a valued connection and trusted expert in the sector.”

    Charlotte Owens, Head of Partnerships + Income Development

Volunteer Involvement Support

Volunteers are the lifeblood of so many organisations — but are you making the most of their potential? Whether you're struggling to engage the right people, build a strategy that sticks, or adapt to changing times, I’m here to help. With over two decades of specialist experience and a track record of transforming volunteer involvement across sectors, I support charities, networks, and public bodies to turn ambition into action.

From designing inclusive volunteer roles to scaling national strategies, my work is grounded in evidence, innovation, and a deep understanding of what makes volunteering meaningful — for organisations and the people who give their time. I’ve worked with over 40 organisations, from grassroots groups to national charities and public sector bodies, to build smarter, more sustainable approaches to volunteer engagement.

Whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing a long-standing programme, I’ll help you create systems and strategies that empower your volunteers and strengthen your mission. I also offer expert training, programme evaluations, and interim leadership support to keep your work moving forward.

Ready to rethink how you do volunteering? Learn more about how I support volunteer involvement.

Just some of the clients I’ve worked with…

  • image access hospitality logo
  • image antibiotic research UK logo
  • image citizens advice logo
  • image churches conservation trust logo
  • image centre for european volunteering logo
  • image Council of Somali Organisations logo
  • image cycling UK logo
  • image england netball logo
  • image Historic England logo
  • image Jon Egging Trust logo
  • image Marine Conservation Society logo
  • image MS society logo
  • image same difference logo
  • image south west peak logo
  • image Stanleys Community Centre logo
  • image Support After Rape and Sexual violence Leeds logo
  • image university of hull logo
  • vital hardware logo
  • image Walking with the Wounded logo

Fundraising Strategy

Fundraising can feel like a constant uphill climb — chasing deadlines, juggling funder demands, and never quite having the headspace to step back and think strategically. That’s where I come in. I help purpose-driven organisations break out of the short-term scramble and build bold, resilient fundraising strategies that actually work.

With over 20 years' experience — and more than £10 million raised since launching my consultancy — I specialise in trusts and foundations fundraising that goes beyond quick wins. I work with organisations of all sizes to unlock new income, strengthen internal capacity, and connect funders with powerful, purposeful work.

From crafting compelling cases for support to leading strategic audits, I bring clarity, focus, and momentum to your fundraising. Whether you need help building a pipeline, sharpening your messaging, or stepping in with interim leadership, I’ll help you turn ambition into income.

My approach is values-led, collaborative, and rooted in practical experience — supporting everything from grassroots community groups to national and international charities. I also deliver specialist training for teams and networks, helping you embed sustainable fundraising knowledge across your organisation.

If you're ready to stop spinning plates and start building long-term income, find out more about my fundraising strategy support.

Training and Workshops

I have a broad range of training and workshops available for both volunteering and fundraising. From developing strategic approaches to volunteer involvement, to improving your trusts and foundations fundraising. I also offer bespoke training designed around your goals, challenges, and audiences — whether that’s a one-off session for your team, a full training series, or a learning offer for a group of organisations working together.

“Laura is a great facilitator, she delivered fascinating insights - it’s clear she has well researched and deep insights and she created a warm, friendly space for us to explore these ideas as a team and set actions.”

Whether you're a small charity, a national organisation, or a network of community groups, there’s a training to suit what you’re looking for.

See the full list of trainings I offer here.

Contact me

It all begins with a vision to improve the way your organisation is working. I’d love to talk to you about any projects you have in mind. Fill in the form, or ring 07920 772 533