14 November 2018

The Lookout in Hyde Park, London was the unusual and lovely venue for a People's Postcode Lottery workshop on the Theory of Change last week.

The Royal Parks, like Magic Breakfast, is one of the charities lucky enough to be a beneficiary of People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL).  They kindly provided the venue for the workshop, and our Founder, Carmel McConnell MBE, was the speaker.

Representatives from many charities supported by PPL gathered for the event including; Missing People, The Wildlife Trusts, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, PDSA, Lord’s Taverners, Plan International, Friends of the Earth and ActionAid.

Prior to founding Magic Breakfast, Carmel was an anti-nuclear activist before going on to found her own technology consultancy. In that role she tackled the issue of how to integrate morality and values into technology businesses. Whilst researching her best-selling book, ‘Change Activist’ in 2001, she interviewed head teachers in Hackney and was shocked to learn that they were having to bring in food every day for hungry children. Carmel started buying and taking in breakfast food to the schools and so began Magic Breakfast.

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Carmel explained that a theory of change joins the dots between what charities do, why they do it, what they want to achieve and how they plan to achieve it. There were lots of inspirational messages shared and plenty of energy in the room. Many of those present said the workshop gave them a real confidence boost.

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The arboriculture team at The Royal Parks gave everyone a fascinating tour after the workshop. Walking in Hyde Park in the sunshine, learning about the 170,000 trees they care for, was a lovely way to close the event. Thank you to them and, as always, to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.