mazzawoo is Maria Hughes.

I have worked in the voluntary (charity) sector for 20 years, providing administration, office management, information and analysis services.

My previous post was the Information Worker at Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid, where I:

• Devised monitoring and evaluation tools: produced project monitoring and evaluation data; data analysis; research and report writing.
• Set-up and developed information systems: resource centre (hard copy and electronic); electronic bulletins; internal and external newsletters; Twitter feed.
• Produced promotional advisory literature: leaflets, flyers, booklets; procurement of branded merchandise.
• Co-ordinated events and training: publicity and promotion; booking and recording systems; display materials and presentations; arranging staff and volunteers to attend events or staff information stalls.
• Delivered training for professionals (external and internal staff and volunteers).
• Liaised with charity funders and donors.
• Provided secretarial and research services for Birmingham Violence Against Women Board.
• Provided monitoring and evaluation services and training for Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid’s project on women with complex needs, in partnership with Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust.

Prior to this post, I worked at West Midlands Environment Network, where I was responsible for:

• Development and maintenance of the website, newsletter and resource centre
• Handing information enquiries.
• Office purchasing and book-keeping.
• Production of finance reports for management committee.

I also spent five years working for the Birmingham Settlement – Energy Advice Centre and ‘Fuelsavers’ Project – during which time I:

• Ran the telephone helpline and information resource centre.
• Gave energy advice on home visits.
• Designed the customer database.
• Co-ordinated the special ethnic minorities project for promotion of energy efficiency.
• Devised and delivered training programmes for residents and professionals.

Throughout my working life in the non-profit sector, I have gained knowledge and experience of the monitoring and evaluation of projects. Monitoring and evaluation are important tools to demonstrate that non-profit organisations are delivering quality services for the public, from public money.