Sara Armstrong23 Harrison Avenue

Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 4NT

Tel. 075 65946587

claritygroup.design@gmail.com

Personal Profile

A hard working, self motivated, passionate individual committed to making a real difference, achieving results and inspiring people to be all they can be. I have over 24 years experience of creating and developing highly effective, successful partnerships and managing complex projects. I am a leader and a team player with a passion for making a difference and creating initiatives that are sustainable and enhance lives. I am a Social Science Graduate and I possess a clean driving license.

Skill areas include:

Project and programme management - design, delivery and evaluation of complex areas of work. I have a track record in producing results, meeting deadlines and in the design, delivery and evaluation of projects eg. Bournemouth's Local Area Agreement - 83% of targets were achieved which was considered to be top performing by UK government and was rewarded with £2m in reward grant for Bournemouth residents and £1m to pump prime the programme

Training, developing staff - assessing and supporting their performance

Strategic planning, service delivery, resource development and financial management, commissioning and contract management, consultancy and business development

Curriculum development on the careers work and PHSE curriculum, training and consultancy work within educational settings

Information Governance and Compliance

Developing and Implementing Effective Working Practices within Organisations that meet statutory requirements , develop people and provide infrastructure support

Communication Skills - I am able to consult and engage effectively with both strategic partners and members of the community to identify needs and create solutions to issues

I have experience of effectively managing events and fundraising to meet specific targets

I am an effective communicator, enthusiastic about life with plenty of energy to contribute – I seek to enable all I work with to create new possibilities and cause outcomes that make a real difference to people and their communities.

Employment History

2015 – Clarity Group Business Owner

'Your Future Your Design' For business consultancy and development, short term projects and infrastructure support services for SMEs, charities and the public sector.

Clients include: Dorset County Council and Citizens Advice in Dorset for development of the Dorset Advice Strategy

https://citizensadvicedorset.org.uk/news/dorset-advice-strategy/

The Shelley Trust – charity consultant working with the Trustees to establish a trust and secure funding streams to support development of a museum and arts/culture related activities

2014 – 2015 Business Development and Support Specialist for Help and Care

Specific areas of responsibility: policies and procedures- review, rewrites, development and implementation, risk management - redesign and implementation of a new framework, leading on the development and implementation of tendering process for an evaluation of a self management project and due diligence process prior to successful award for contract, Information Governance and Compliance including accreditation to level 2 compliance (NHS), performance and social value - measuring outcomes and impact - developing a framework to have delivery be more impact driven, volunteer development package for clients in recovery, preparing funding bids and generating grant income to support a social enterprise, service review and options appraisal, supporting the opening of a charity shop, board support/recruitment of board members and special events

2007-2012 Strategic Partnership Delivery Manager, Bournemouth Council

I was employed to oversee the delivery of Bournemouth 2026 priorities to ensure that the best outcomes were achieved for Bournemouth residents. This involved successfully managing Bournemouth's 2 Local Area Agreement programmes which brought £3m into the town, made essential savings to services and enabled partners to explore and implement alternative ways of delivering services.

My role has also involved consulting and engaging with a variety of partners in the public, business and community sectors to manage progress and delivery, identify resources, commission contracts and manage those contracts, manage performance, create and implement new delivery structures and projects, over see events, establish governance arrangements, design and implement intervention strategies and manage risks.

2005-2007 Curriculum Development Consultant, Hampshire Connexions Service

2002–2005 Curriculum Development Consultant, Hertfordshire Careers Service Ltd

2000–2002 Connexions Development Adviser, Hertfordshire Connexions Service

1998-2000 Stepping Stones Development Adviser, Hertfordshire Careers Services Ltd

1996-1998 Community Development Adviser, Hertfordshire Careers Services Ltd

1993-1996 Housing Project Worker, YWCA of GB

Voluntary Work

2011-2012 Trustee - Bourne Spring Trust, Bournemouth

1992-2005 Various roles within the YWCA of GB, European YWCAS and World YWCA -Trustee of the national board British Council , European YWCAs Representative on the Youth Forum of the European Union for 6 years, Vice President for 2 years followed by Co President of YWCA GB for 4 years. Member of World YWCA Council in 1999 and 2003. I was the first job share President and youngest President of YWCA of GB in history of the organisation to date.

1994-1996 Trustee of a homeless charity in Hertfordshire ‘Hows Us’

Professional Development

2012 Project Manager Training – Bournemouth Council

Changing Bournemouth Development Programme – Bournemouth Council

Equality and Diversity Training – Bournemouth Council

Performance Development Reviews/Developing Staff – Bournemouth Council

Consultation and Engagement – Bournemouth Council

2010 Change Management and Business Change Management – Bournemouth Council

2009 Leading an Empowered Organisation, University of Leeds

2008 Landmark Education Leadership Programme (ILP) London

2007 Curriculum for Living, Landmark Education, London

2006 Level 4 Introductory Diploma in Management, Hampshire Connexions/Study Flex

2003 Project Management – Leadership Development Ltd/Hertfordshire Careers Service Ltd

Qualifications

2002 D32/D33 Competences in Training and Development – City and Guilds

Advising and Consulting on the Careers Work Curriculum – University Cambridge

1997 Counselling Skills - City and Guilds NCFE

1994 Foundation Year Counselling Skills – West Herts College, Watford

1991 BA (Hons) Social Science – University of Wolverhampton

1988 4 ‘A’ levels Politics/Government, Economics, English and General Studies

Interests Keeping fit and healthy, walking on the beach, cooking and nutrition, reading, playing the flute, upholstering furniture and socialising with family and friends.

References - Available on request

https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=AAIAAANHmroBP6u_YED0hKOhkfjVIzyIJdt-BoQ&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile