The press are in the news a lot at the moment – ironically. I’ve followed it with interest but not really had a close involvement in some of the inner workings – until this week!

We were very proud to have been able to run a programme recently with Lloyds and several Charities : the aim of which was for them to work together on their business challenges, and also to further develop their collective leadership styles. The results have been excellent with both charities (one involved in preventing knife crime in youngsters, and the other focussed on supporting victims of domestic and sexual abuse) gaining significantly from Lloyds involvement – and absolutely no doubt whatsoever that both charities are stronger and will be more successful due to the teams’ involvement. A great item to write about, learn from and give them credit for? Absolutely.............Or so we thought.

The angle the media chose to take was about how Lloyds have spent money on ‘Comedy Training’ – simply because the knife crime prevention charity is called ‘The Comedy School’. This of course has invited cheap shots of all sorts (“laughing all the way to the bank”) – and missed the point about how large corporates are being responsible and supporting charities in meaningful ways. This has just not been presented as a balanced view at all.

What charities often really benefit is input on strategy and business. Lots of people can volunteer to dig a garden over, but it takes specific skills to be able to get to grips with complex issues, re-define strategy and influence the leaders of the charity to adjust their forward plan. Above all, these are people full of good intention, making a difference and doing it humbly.

So it is a shame that this has not been recognised – which is why I’m doing it here. I shall remain a believer in human nature and good will that people have!