OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY

Prospectus has a long-standing tradition of serving the community and of utilising its cutting-edge knowledge and expertise to make a positive contribution to society as a whole. As well as supplying standard consulting services to many not-for-profit and voluntary clients, Prospectus conducts a significant number of pro bono assignments for community-based and not-for-profit organisations.

Prospectus began to work with community groups on a structured basis in 1998, when it was the first company to join the Social Mentor Programme run by the National Social Services Board (now Comhairle). The Social Mentor Programme matches experts willing to volunteer some of their time to voluntary and community organisations seeking advice in a particular area. Through the Social Mentor Programme, Prospectus has been involved in a number of different community projects.

EXAMPLES OF RECENT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY

Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Khartoum

Hospital Partnership Plan 2006-2010
(Omdurman Maternity Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital)
Cork University Maternity Hospital is the newest maternity hospital in Ireland. As part of the planning for the new maternity hospital, staff and management decided to embark on a partnership with Omdurman Maternity Hospital and Fistula Unit in Khartoum, Sudan.

Prospectus provided assistance, on a pro bono basis, to medical and administrative staff at the three institutions to identify specific goals for the partnership and to set out a practical, realistic action plan to achieve each goal.

Prospectus worked with doctors, nurses and managers from Cork and Khartoum to agree on how best to improve obstetric, neonatal and fistula services in Khartoum, and how best to advance teaching and training programmes related to Omdurman Maternity Hospital and Fistula Unit.

Fettercairn Youth Horse Project

The Fettercairn Youth Horse
Project needed to raise money for the development of an enclosed grazing and stabling facility for twenty horses in the Fettercairn area in Tallaght. The facility would also provide local young people with opportunities for education, vocational development and employment in the equine industry.

Prospectus worked with the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project Steering Committee to develop a brochure, formulate a fundraising plan and identify the management structure and posts that would be needed when the facility was up and running. The Project succeeded in raising the funds required, obtaining the necessary planning permission from South Dublin County Council and opening the facility.

Chinese Vietnamese Association in Ireland

The Chinese Vietnamese Association in Ireland
The Chinese Vietnamese Association in Ireland is a support group for the Chinese Vietnamese community in Dublin, which organises cultural activities, Vietnamese classes for children and trips for senior citizens.

Prospectus helped the Association to develop a brochure outlining its aims, and to find a permanent base from which to operate (including applying for state funding).

The GLEN Group Project

The GLEN Group Project
The GLEN (Giving Light Encouragement and Nurturing) Group organises summer camps for young people with special needs. It is based in Dundrum.

Prospectus worked with the GLEN Group Committee to improve the functioning of the committee itself, including clarifying the structure and operations of the Committee, clarifying individual and collective roles and responsibilities, and setting out an appropriate modus operandi.

Prospectus developed a five-year strategic development plan for the GLEN Group which identified how best the organisation could develop and expand in the future, and the resources which would be necessary to support such expansion.

THE PROSPECTUS FUND

In 2004 Prospectus established The Prospectus Fund as a registered charity. The purpose of this fund is to provide a helping hand to individuals from socially disadvantaged backgrounds who would like to establish or further develop a commercial enterprise.

The fund covers financial support and the provision of professional services provided on a pro bono basis by the following organisations:

Prospectus Strategy Consultants-Business Planning
Matheson Ormsby Prentice-Legal Services
BFK Strategic Design-Branding
DF Byrne & Associates-Accounting Services

Funding comes primarily from donations and proceeds from book sales, and is supplemented by an annual fundraising exercise conducted by Prospectus.