Wayfinding: less firefighting, more focus — with strategy, storytelling & AI that works
Most changemakers don’t need more tasks. They need space to think.
The work keeps you busy. More demands, more reports, more plates to spin. Some days you wonder how long you can keep this up.
But focus changes everything.
When you can explain your work simply, people lean in.
When funding for your mission isn’t tied to short-term projects, you get breathing space.
When AI is helping you lighten the load instead of adding to it, you reclaim time for what really matters.
This is where Wayfinding comes in. It’s a six-month programme for people doing for-purpose work who want a clearer, more sustainable path.
You’ll build income streams that last, sharpen your message and use AI wisely so you can lead with clarity and energy, not exhaustion.
5 spaces available for our autumn beta round.
Will you join us?
Who it’s for:
CHANGEMAKERS
working in climate, ESG, CSR, higher education and the wider voluntary sector
managers and DIRECTORS
leading community associations and small charities while balancing people, services and strategy to steer teams forward
founders
of small charities, CICs and social enterprises building impact from the ground up
fundraisers
driving income and influence through partnerships, fundraising and comms
CREATIVE PRACTITIONeRs
artist, facilitators, makers and doers leading socially engaged projects
Why Wayfinding?
Because the map keeps changing and you’re constantly being asked to do more with less.
Wayfinding is about stepping back to chart a better course. It's rooted in curiosity and creative thinking, but anchored in practical strategy.
Over six months, you will:
Develop a funding and partnerships plan
Create messaging that inspires people to support your mission
Set up simple systems that make your work easier
This practical programme is for you if you’re driving meaningful work without the time, headspace or support to match.
The Programme Framework
Our three-step framework helps you to secure income, strengthen your voice and grow your organisation.
1. Clarify Your Compass
Get clear on what you do, why it matters and how to talk about it.
Positioning
Messaging
Visibility goals
2. Map What Matters
Build a realistic plan that links income, partnerships and communications.
Prospects
Partnership plan
Comms calendar
3. Take Bold Action
Apply your learning with confidence, support and systems.
Share your perspective
Test offers
Start new partnership conversations
meet your mentor
Clare Barry
Writer, Partnerships Strategist, Facilitator
Hello! I’ve spent over 20 years working at the intersection of creative health, education, social impact and community leadership in London. I designed Wayfinding to be a flexible and purposeful programme that puts people first.
I’ve raised millions in funding and built corporate and philanthropic partnerships at London Business School, the London School of Economics and East End Community Foundation. I’ve also serve as a Board Member of Greenwich Giving.
Through Urban Curiosity, I’ve partnered with organisations from Somers Town Community Association to Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and Camden Council. My writing on mindfulness, creativity and wellbeing has appeared in Psychologies, Stylist, Women’s Health, Vanity Fair and more.
My perspective is shaped by lived experience too. Burnout, back surgery and bereavements taught me that resilience and creativity are not optional - they are what allow us to find the way forward.
INSIDE WAYFINDING, YOU’LL FIND:
MOMENTUM
Gentle accountability to turn ideas into action and keep you moving forward
HEADSPACE
Step back from the firefighting and get time to think clearly about what really matters
SUPPORT
Strategic support and fresh perspective, without the jargon or overwhelm
What makes Wayfinding different
Most leadership programmes focus on strategy. Most fundraising courses focus on tactics. Wayfinding does both and and helps you create lasting impact without burning out.
You will learn how to talk about your mission in a way that feels natural and compelling. Together we will build a funding and communications ecosystem around your strengths: trusted relationships, aligned outreach and repeatable systems that protect your time and energy.
You do not need to be a thought leader or post everywhere online. You do need to be findable, fundable and clear about what you stand for so the right people can say yes.
That might mean sharing your story on a panel, hosting a roundtable, strengthening your organisation’s website, refreshing your LinkedIn presence or simply having more strategic conversations behind the scenes.
Wayfinding helps you do all of that on your own terms.
And you will start seeing results quickly.
A quick win in your first 30 days
By the end of your first track, you will have:
Sharper messaging for your website, LinkedIn or funding conversations
A clear, confident positioning statement
The start of a sustainable visibility strategy shaped around your voice, values and goals
This early shift brings instant clarity and makes your funding, partnerships and outreach easier and more effective.
How we will work together
You will get access to all three tracks and can choose the one that makes the biggest difference first. In your 1:1 kick-off call we will decide together where to start. You don’t need to do everything at once. We will focus on what is most useful and relevant to you.
Track 1: Strategic Communications
You want more people to understand and back your work. We’ll:
explore
visibility approaches that play to your strengths, like events, roundtables or peer spaces
clarify
what your organisation does, who it helps and why it matters
create
a simple communications plan that works for your time and energy
focus
on the platforms and connections that suit you, whether that’s your website, funding conversations or LinkedIn (if helpful)
use
practical tools and a flexible writing framework to make messaging easier and more sustainable
Track 2: Fundraising and High-Value Partnerships
You want to strengthen your fundraising and bring in more support. We’ll:
identify
aligned corporate and philanthropic prospects using guided research prompts
use
events, warm outreach and introductions to build long-term trust
ACTIVATE
the resources you already have, including your board and network, to open the right doors
FOCUS
on partnership approaches that match your strengths and capacity
develop
your ask and shape a compelling offer, campaign or sponsorship pack
Track 3: thought lEADERSHIP and unrestricted income
You’re exploring offers to share your expertise and generate income. We’ll
shape
programmes and experiences such as a training curriculum, team away day, retreat, course, festival or venue-based event
plan
strategic roundtables, panel events or peer learning spaces that support your goals
build
a credible presence that strengthens your reputation without needing to be everywhere online
develop
and price a consultancy, training, facilitation or speaking offer
ReFINE
your offer through feedback on structure, delivery style and audience fit
What to expect each month
Wayfinding is a six-month programme designed for busy people. Between calls you’ll put your learnings into action.
Monthly group call (90 mins) on your shared priorities
Short lessons (audio/video, 10–15 mins each)
Community inbox for questions and answers
Resource library with templates and tools
Seasonal meetups in London
Why join now
Funding models are shifting fast. The organisations that thrive are the ones building diverse income streams, sharing their expertise and creating partnerships that last. Wayfinding gives you the space and structure to do exactly that.
Start this work now, over autumn, and by the new year you’ll have a stronger funding base, a clearer message and the energy to lead with confidence.
Beta Round (Autumn 2025)
The beta round is now open. As one of the first group through, you’ll help shape the programme. In return you’ll receive a 1:1 kick-off call with Clare, six months of group support and strategy, and the lowest price Wayfinding will ever be, with extra attention along the way.
Join the beta round today.
Results and resources
By the end of the Wayfinding programme, you’ll walk away with:
A funding plan
A clear partnerships plan and the skills to create, prioritise and work with your own prospect list. Plus templates and outreach plans to get started straight away.
A pilot offer
A consultancy, training, speaking or facilitation offer with draft positioning and a plan to connect with the right partners or clients.
Supportive systems
Simple workflows and tools (including AI if you choose) to protect your time and energy, and a sustainable approach to visibility that builds trust.
MESSAGING toolKIT
Clear, confident language for pitches, conversations and campaigns, plus LinkedIn ideas and templates to help you share your work with ease.
What to tell managers and trustees
Wayfinding equips staff with practical tools and fresh confidence while strengthening resilience and leadership capacity. With creative health at its core, it helps people avoid burnout and sustain their impact. In this beta round, it is a smart investment in your people and your organisation’s future.
If board or HR approval is required, I can provide a support letter and programme overview to help make the case. Get in touch.
Yes, this is for you if...
You play a key role in a for-purpose organisation
You want stable, reliable income
You value conversations that matter over online visibility
You want to communicate with confidence
You’re open to creative tools that make work easier
No, this is not for you if…
You’re starting from scratch with no clear plans
You want quick-fix funding
You’re closed to new ideas or peer learning
Everything you get access to:
You’ll get lifetime access to the Wayfinding resource library and lessons. Your enrolment also includes six months of live calls, community updates and written summaries. If you’d like to continue beyond that, you can extend for an additional 3 months at a time.
1:1 Kick-off Strategy Call (30 mins)
Refine your messaging, income ideas and priorities, and map your personalised route through the Wayfinding programme.
The Wayfinding Learning Pathway
Short on-demand lessons (10–15 mins, audio or video) plus a resource library with templates, checklists and prompts. Always available so you can dive into what you need, when you need it.
AI Tools, Templates & Messaging Frameworks
Plug-and-play resources to help you:
Draft fundraising and outreach messages
Prospect research and write with ease using AI
Develop a consultancy or training offer
Plan and write impactful LinkedIn content
MONTHLY Live Group Calls (90 mins)
One theme-led Zoom call shaped by what the community needs. Scheduled by Doodle, calls are live and not recorded to protect confidentiality. Afterwards you’ll get a short written summary with key insights and actions. If you can’t join live, you can submit questions in advance
Community INBOX
No Slack or WhatsApp to manage. Each month you can email short updates or questions. I curate these into a digest of peer tips and stories, shared with care to protect confidentiality. Over time, this becomes a resource you can revisit, even if you’re not joining live calls
On-Demand 1:1 Support
Need deeper guidance? Book a 30-minute 1:1 for strategic advice or personalised feedback. Available anytime as an optional paid add-on.
investment
Find clarity, build confidence, and sustain your impact. Join Wayfinding for six months of live mentorship and community at the special beta price of £850.
Option 1: Upfront Payment (Best Value)
One payment of £850 (no VAT)
Total: £850
Option 2: Monthly
Payment Plan
Three payments of £300 (no VAT)
Total: £900
A Note on Value & Commitment
Wayfinding offers the same level of strategic support my 1:1 clients invest £3,500+ for. As a beta participant, your place is £850. It’s the lowest the programme will ever be.
This is a six-month journey. Enrolling means committing to the full programme: taking part in calls and community, with lifetime access to the resource library.
You can pay in full or spread the cost with a payment plan. Either way, it’s a commitment to the full six months and fee. Payment plans offer flexibility, not a trial so if a payment is missed, access will pause until it’s resolved.
Ready to lead differently?
Secure your place in Wayfinding today. Spaces are limited for this beta round.
faqs
How much time will this take?
We meet once a month for a 90-minute live Zoom call. You’ll also have short 10–15 minute lessons and resources you can use anytime. Most people spend 2–3 hours a month, but you can adjust to your capacity.
What’s the call schedule?
In this beta round, we’ll use a Doodle poll each month to agree the best time for our live calls. This way the schedule works for the group and you can plan ahead.
Will the live calls be recorded if I can’t attend?
No. To protect confidentiality, calls are live only. You’ll always receive a one-page written summary with key ideas and actions. You can also send questions in advance to be included.
How does the community work?
You can email me short updates or asks each month. I curate these into a group digest, which becomes a bank of peer tips and stories without the noise of Slack or WhatsApp.
What about in-person connection?
We meet twice a year for optional seasonal socials in London, such as a summer walk or winter tea break.
Do I need to be senior to join?
Not at all. This is for managers, comms and fundraising professionals, freelancers, project leads, creative practitioners and directors. It strengthens your current role and builds skills for future leadership.
I am neurodivergent or chronically ill or a ‘Spoonie’.
Yes. The programme is flexible, so go at your own pace. You have lifetime access to all resources. Optional live calls. Captions and transcripts are available.
Do I need to use LinkedIn?
No! Wayfinding helps you raise your profile in ways that feel natural. We focus on what already works for you, such as funder conversations, events or warm introductions. LinkedIn is just an optional tool.
I am wary of using AI. Do I need to be techy?
No. You get simple guides and prompts to use AI to save time and support your strategy without replacing your voice.
Can charities generate income from services?
Yes. Many organisations earn income by charging for services or creating trading subsidaries. You’ll need guidance from your board or accountant, but I’ll help you develop an offer and an approach.
What if I need board or HR approval?
If you need board or HR approval I can provide a support letter and programme overview to help you make the case. Get in touch.
Do you offer refunds or transfers?
No. Because places are limited and the group dynamic matters, all bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please check the dates and your availability before signing up.
What if I’m on a payment plan?
A payment plan gives you more flexibility, but it’s still a commitment to the full programme and full fee. Payments must be made on schedule. If a payment is missed, access to live calls and resources will pause until things are resolved.