CEO's April Update: "Don't let perfect get in the way of good."
- Shirl Tanner
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
This month has seen the best of the best with the ACEVOFest, two days of great speakers, interactions, and networking. A couple of things came to the forefront for me: one was equality, and if you look at the picture below, it highlights the importance of equality, both in our workplaces and in our lives. It captures multiple dimensions of equality and illustrates how we can and should address it at every level.
The other thing was, as CEOs, we often feel that everything rests on our shoulders. But does it really? I’m fortunate to have an exceptional team, a strong leadership group, and a supportive Board of Trustees. Yet, working in the third sector is demanding, and each year brings new pressures. Many CEOs I speak with share the same tendency to push through even when ill or near burnout, when in fact we should step back, take time out (proper time out), and come back refreshed. So my message to all Senior Leadership Teams is this: be kind to yourselves. Rely on your teams. Your organisation is here because of you and the work you do. Don’t underestimate yourself or have imposter syndrome, and most of all, “Don’t let perfect get in the way of good.”
Updates
Our House project is taking shape with the house having a name now: "Restorative Pathways House".
Thank you to the staff who delivered Kintsugi to women on probation in Hastings, Eastbourne, and Brighton. Please see the write-up of the events. One of the things to come out of it was that the staff have been invited to the Shematters Criminal Justice 2026 conference in London to be exhibitors talking about Kintsugi.
We welcome our 3 new students, Jodie, Kelly, and Valarie, who are on the "Step-up Social Work" placement and will be with us until July 2026.
And thank you to Probation for the recognition of our Through the Gate work with recall prisoners; we are looking forward to delivering this work again in the coming year.
We sadly say goodbye to Sussex Pathways Trustee, Violet Hancock who will be leaving us at the end of April. We wish Violet well in new ventures.
We are looking for new trustees, especially a Treasurer. If you think you would like to join us, please contact admin@sussexpathways.org.uk for more information.
Wishing everyone a lovely Easter and lots of Easter eggs.
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