As a supporter of our work, we wanted to let you know about some changes happening at Tibet Relief Fund. Firstly, it is with deep regret that we share the news of the departure of our long-standing and greatly respected CEO, Philippa Carrick, at the beginning of October, due to the restructuring and downsizing of our London-based team.
The decision to make the position of CEO redundant has been difficult. However, this, alongside other redundancies and changes, including condensing some roles into part time positions, became necessary in light of the need to adapt to changing circumstances.
These circumstances include the challenging economic landscape we are all experiencing, and the depletion of a generous legacy a supporter left us in their Will 11 years ago. This, as per their wishes, enabled us to expand our work and reach more Tibetans than ever before with life-changing projects. Now that this gift is reaching its end, it is time for us to downsize our operations.
This decision has been made with careful consideration, keeping in mind the best interests of the Tibetans we work with and the long-term sustainability of the organisation. We are committed to continuing our mission and supporting Tibetans to build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.
We extend our deepest thanks to Philippa for her unwavering dedication, leadership, and contributions to Tibet Relief Fund over the past 21 years. Her vision and commitment have left an indelible mark on the organisation and lives of countless people. We hope you will join us to wish her the best for her future. The end of an era.
We also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our outgoing and continuing members of staff. Tibet Relief Fund has always been lucky enough to have a strong team of committed and passionate individuals, whose dedication and hard work have made a lasting impact on the lives of the people we serve.
As we enter the next chapter in the charity’s nearly 70-year history, we remain steadfast in our commitment to Tibetans the world over. During this period of change, the board of trustees remains a constant. We will work diligently to streamline our operations, optimise resources, and strengthen our impact in the communities we work with.
We are grateful for your continued support as we navigate through these challenges together. We could not do the work we do without you, and we really can’t thank you enough for sticking with us through these difficult times.
Thank you for your understanding and support during this transitional phase. With your ongoing help, Tibet Relief Fund will emerge stronger and continue to be a beacon of hope and support for those who need it most. If you have any questions or would like to discuss these decisions further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Rebecca Chick, Chair of the Trustees
What will the new structure be?
The current Board of Trustees will remain the same. The new structure of the London office will be led by a Charity Manager, with a smaller team, including some roles condensed into part time positions. The Charity Manager will work closely with the Board of Trustees and support the team to drive forward the organisation’s strategy.
What projects will continue?
The charity’s project commitments have been set for the current year, so monies will be allocated to projects as planned. If we have been asked to use a donation in a specific way, we will honour that request. Our plans will continue to be informed by our project strategy, which outlines our key priority areas, through needs assessment within the communities we work, and also by our project monitoring and evaluation, which measures the impact of our funding.
What will happen to my sponsorship?
There are no planned changes to the structure and operation of the sponsorship programme. A new part-time Sponsorship Coordinator is being recruited to manage the programme. In the interim period, sponsors should continue to correspond with the [email protected] email address, which will remain active and closely monitored by other staff/trustees to ensure sponsors’ queries are responded to promptly. All of our grants and existing relationships and commitments will continue as normal.
Over the last 63 years, through our sponsorship programme, we have helped thousands of Tibetans of all ages achieve independence, security and futures with real choices. We remain steadfast in our belief that everyone should have access to education and healthcare. Our sponsorship programme is vital to making that reality. If you are a sponsor, your sponsorship will continue as it currently stands, including the sending and receiving of letters, and all normal correspondence.
What’s going to happen to Enlightened Gifts?
Enlightened Gifts is continuing as usual. We are currently working on the new 2023 catalogue and look forward to bringing you new items along with old favourites throughout the coming year.
