What Does Sustainable Growth Actually Look Like for Charities?
Growing a charity or community organisation can be an exciting prospect. New services, additional funding, stronger partnerships and the opportunity to reach more people can all help an organisation make a greater difference. But growth also brings challenges, particularly when staffing, resources and time are already stretched.
For charities and CICs, expanding services is not simply about taking on more work. It also means thinking carefully about the people, systems and partnerships needed to support that growth without losing sight of the organisation's original purpose.
At The Great British Charity Conference, James Woods, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Doncaster Borough, will be exploring exactly that.
His session, What Does Sustainable Growth Actually Look Like?, will draw on his experience of leading a local charity and the decisions involved in developing services while maintaining the support that communities depend upon.
Growing Without Losing Sight of Your Purpose
One of the challenges facing charities is knowing when to take the next opportunity and when to consider whether the organisation has the capacity to deliver it.
A new contract or partnership could open the door to supporting more people, but it may also create additional responsibilities for staff, volunteers and leadership teams. Without the right structures and support, growth can place further pressure on organisations that are already working hard to meet community needs.
James will explore how Citizens Advice Doncaster Borough has developed its services and reach, alongside the decisions, systems and relationships that have supported that development.
The session will also consider the importance of working with local authorities and other partners, recognising the pressures that growth can place on teams and understanding what organisations need around them to remain sustainable.
About James Woods
James is Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Doncaster Borough, an independent local charity providing free, confidential and impartial advice to people across Doncaster.
Under his leadership, the organisation has developed its services, strengthened local partnerships and explored ways to make support more accessible.
His conference session will offer a perspective grounded in the everyday realities of running a charity, balancing growing demand with the responsibilities of managing people, resources and the long-term future of services.
For anyone involved in leading, developing or supporting a charity or community organisation, it is an opportunity to hear from somebody who has faced many of the decisions that come with growth.
Join Us at The Great British Charity Conference
James Woods will be speaking at The Great British Charity Conference, taking place on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at Cast, Doncaster.
The conference will bring together charities, CICs, funders, businesses, public-sector organisations and sector leaders for a full day of speakers, practical workshops, networking and conversations around the future of the third sector.
Standard tickets cost £30 per person, including lunch and refreshments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will James Woods discuss at The Great British Charity Conference?
James Woods will explore sustainable growth for charities, drawing on the development of Citizens Advice Doncaster Borough's services, its partnerships and the decisions involved in supporting more people.
Why is sustainable growth important for charities?
Taking on new services, contracts or partnerships can increase demand on staff, volunteers, systems and funding. Sustainable growth means considering the support needed to expand while protecting an organisation's purpose and capacity.
Who is James Woods?
James Woods is Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Doncaster Borough, an independent local charity offering free, confidential and impartial advice across Doncaster.
When and where is James Woods speaking?
James Woods is a main speaker at The Great British Charity Conference on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at Cast, Doncaster. Standard tickets are £30 and include lunch and refreshments.
