Help CHTS-CIC transform lives in Sunderland

Hello to all you Change Makers, Community Transformers, and Make-a-Difference Folks 

Hello, my name is Liam Bayly.  I am the Founder of the Center for Human Transformation and Spirituality (CHTS).  As a quick summary... we want to make a BIG difference in our community, and we have BIG plans.  To succeed we need your help.  What do we need? You ask.  I am glad you asked.   For starters, our BIG goal is to raise £30,000.  And that’s what this request is for. 

And... before you start reading, I want to say thank you... in advance.  Why? For taking the time to read through this request and for your thoughtful consideration whether to provide support.  I know there are numerous organisations out there doing great work and its often difficult to decide whom to support.  Hopefully you’ll see something that aligns with your values... something you feel you can get behind. 

Who or what is the Center for Human Transformation and Spirituality? 

The Center for Human Transformation and Spirituality is a newly formed, Start Up Social Enterprise structured as a Community Investment Company – Company Limited by Guarantee (CIC-CLG) registered with the Company House, UK – Registration No.  14339185.  We are located in Sunderland, UK. 

For those of you who may not know, a Community Interest Company (CIC) is a type of legal structure allowed in the UK whereby liability is limited, and profit generated by trade is redirected to support the social purpose of the organisation rather than to benefit shareholders or owners. Assets held by the CIC are locked and cannot be sold or distributed to the shareholders. 

The purpose of CHTS is to provide free access to significant personal development and life mastery programmes, courses, workshops, events and services for low-income, vulnerable and marginalised populations who otherwise cannot afford to pay for such programmes and services due to the rates and fees typically charged. And, it is highly likely that they would benefit from such programmes when offered. 

So, what happened?  How did we get here? 

Hello! It’s Liam Bayly again... the Founder and Managing Director of CHTS.  This is our story. 

I have been working on my own personal development since as long as I can remember... well... at least since college... and that was a while ago.  I am a life-long learner especially when it comes to my personal development.  However, back then, all we had were books (and I have read a lot of ’em), mentors, an occasional workshop, and trial and error.  However, there was one thing that always frustrated me.  Access!  Not that I couldn’t walk or drive to a workshop or a meeting with a mentor.  Access, in that if I didn’t have the money to pay for a book or workshop, I didn’t buy it.   Money was the primary barrier to accessing information and knowledge from which I might have benefitted. 

Fast forward 35 to 40 years.  Today, we have YouTube, phone apps, online courses, mega weekend workshops, life coaches, personal development programs at work... and the list goes on.  The availability of personal development knowledge and information is incredible.  However, it is also a multibillion-dollar industry.  It seems that the kind of information and knowledge you can access for free today are sound bites or teasers.  They give you enough information to entice you to buy a program or go to a weekend workshop.  This is the case whether it is online or not.  So, if you don’t have the money, you don’t get the information and knowledge...  in other words... Access!  

As a professional with a Bachelor of Science in geology and environmental science and a Master of Science in Leadership and coaching, and a family of four, it has still been difficult for me to pay for such programs to gain the knowledge and wisdom to transform myself.  I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be for individuals with little or no money, particularly those who really want to change.  Well... actually... I can imagine it. 

For the past 16 years, as a board member and volunteer adjunct faculty at a non-profit called the Matt Tabot Center (MTC), I delivered a transformative personal development course.  MTC is an outpatient, intensive treatment center for addiction and alcoholism and serves primarily the homeless.  I created the program from my own education, knowledge, experience and wisdom.  Every little bit of knowledge and wisdom I have accumulated... every bit of wisdom gained from my own trial and error... every bit of science behind the process of human transformation and personal development... has gone into that course.  Over 1500 lives changed! 

Fast forward to right now!  I just completed a 2300-mile walking pilgrimage through the UK, France and Spain.  During that pilgrimage, through my own observation and various conversations, I understand that the need for access to such knowledge and wisdom by the those who are low-income, vulnerable and marginalised is paramount today more than ever.   Thus, the birth of the Center for Human Transformation and Spirituality.  The ability to establish a not-for-profit social enterprise whose trade-arm revenue wholly supports the community work conducted by the organisation was of great appeal. 

What do we do... exactly? 

As mentioned above, the purpose of CHTS is to provide free access to significant personal development and life mastery programmes, courses, workshops, events and services for low-income, vulnerable and marginalised populations who otherwise cannot afford to pay for such programmes and services due to the rates and fees typically charged.

To solve this, CHTS plans to deliver for free the following:  

• CHTS’s signature personal development / self-mastery courses and workshops 
• Relationship courses 
• Self-Mastery Workshops and Seminars 
• The Science of Personal Development and Self-mastery Events 
• Job skills development through volunteer opportunities 
• Team building skills development through volunteer opportunities 
• Leadership skills development 
• Project leadership skills development 
• Self-development opportunities through walking pilgrimages 

Okay... that’s great and all, but who are the people you serve? 

CHTS plans to serve the following low-income, vulnerable or marginalised populations:  

• Substance abuse recovery, 
• Former offenders 
• Dual parent and single parent Low-income households - low income is defined as 60% of area median income 
• Veterans in recovery 
• Mental health recovery  

Okay. How will CHTS support itself? 

The Center for Human Transformation (CHT), the trade arm of  CHTS, will provide the same programmes, courses, workshops, seminars and events, described above, as well as others, to the general public and companies for a fee.  Revenue from the delivery of these services to the general public will offset the free delivery of such services to targeted populations as well as support the expansion of the center and its offerings. The following is an initial overview of the free and for fee services CHTS and CHT will deliver to both the targeted populations as well as the general public and business sector. 

Now that you know what we do, who are the Game Changers that are doing it? 

At the moment, we are a small team doing BIG things!  And, we are growing! 

Liam J Bayly – Founder / Managing Director (aka Chief Change Maker) / Facilitator / Business Developer 

As the Chief Change Maker, Facilitator and Business Developer, my primary responsibilities will be to lead all operational activities, report progress to the Board of Directors and funders, develop and/or prepare material for and deliver courses, workshops, and events, secure a facility and business development. 

Auburn Langley – Director (Change Maker) / Virtual Executive Assistant 

As a Director and Virtual Executive Assistant, Ms. Langley’s primary responsibilities include guidance and feedback regarding organisation direction and activities, develop structures, strategies and practices to support the growth of the organization, marketing and advertising, branding, website development and social media management. 

Additional Directors – TBD 

CHTS is seeking to fill three (3) Change Maker positions to bring the total number of Change Makers to five (5). We will consider other Change Makers, Community Transformers and Make-a-difference Folks from the government sector in public health, the business sector and the social housing sector. 

Accountant – TBD 

CHTS is in conversation with and evaluating various Make-a-difference accounting firms.   

Partnerships

Northeast BIC  

CHTS has partnered with Northeast BIC, a not-for-profit social enterprise whose purpose is to support the establishment and growth of businesses throughout the Sunderland area. NE BIC provides support and advisory services assisting CHTS with business implementation and funding. 

So... Why do we do what we do? 

The core course work offered by CHTS is a human transformation / self-mastery course developed by me and one I have been delivering for 16 years. This course is a foundational course for most other workshops and seminars delivered by CHTS.  Fundamentally, human transformation or self-mastery falls in the realm of personal development. Evidence indicates that participation in personal development activities or programs lead to positive outcomes.  In general, people who participated in or prioritized their personal development experienced the following outcomes: 

• Clarity – Individuals reported a greater sense of clarity about who they are, what they want to do, and the impact they want to have in their family, job and community. 
• Empowerment – Individuals reported that they had a greater sense of empowerment because they were able to identify their strengths and talents which enabled them to focus on building their strengths and talents. 
• Resilience – individuals report feeling more resilient - able to adapt to change more quickly and navigate obstacles and difficulties more readily with less stress. 
• Confidence – Individuals reported in an increase in self-confidence as they identified their strengths and talents and how those can be applied to choices in career and community involvement. 
• Goal setting – individuals have reported an increase in their ability to set and achieve goals. 
• Relationships – Individuals reported developing stronger relationships with partners, family members and friends. In some cases, individuals adjusted their entire circle of influence. 
• Motivation – Individuals reported experiencing higher levels of personal motivation. 
• Work-Life Balance – individuals reported experiencing greater levels of work-life balance 
• Happiness – Individuals reported experiencing more happiness and abilities to adjust to feelings of happiness even when confronted with difficult situations. 

An International Coaching Federation study revealed the following statistics about personal development: 

• 62.4% of participants reported smarter goal setting experiences. 
• 60.5% of participants reported a more balanced life. 
• 57.1% of participants experienced the lowest levels of stress. 
• 52.4% of participants increased self-confidence. 
• 43.3% of participants improved their quality of life. 
• 33.8% of participants became healthier and fitter. 
• 33.3% of participants enriched their relationship with their family. 
• 25.7% of participants left their vices and bad habits behind.

Suffice it to say, personal development leads to healthier and happier people who are more engaged with their families, in their communities and at work. To offer personal development courses and programs to both the targeted populations and the general public is fundamental to the development of healthy families, healthy neighborhoods, healthy communities, healthy work-places and healthy cities. 

When people know who they are they behave differently. 

Sunderland at-a-Glance 

The City of Sunderland’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Summary 2021-22 (JSNA) identified that “People in Sunderland have poor mental wellbeing and suffer from a higher burden of mental ill health than the rest of England. This should be tackled through a preventative programme...”  The report also indicates that Covid has exacerbated the mental wellbeing of Sunderland’s residents. 

According to the City of Sunderland’s Healthy City Plan 2020-2030 (City Plan), their Vision is “Everyone in Sunderland will have healthy, happy lives, with no-one left behind.” 

Based on the JSNA, the City Plan and Sunderland’s Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Prevention Strategy, the following is Sunderland’s current situation: 

Substance abuse recovery, 

• Roughly 5,700 adults in Sunderland are dependent drinkers.  
• An estimated 2,960 people are admitted to hospital for alcohol specific conditions. 
• An estimated 1,652 people use opiates and/or crack cocaine 

Former offenders 

• 30 or so former offenders are discharged from prison every year in the Sunderland area 

Low-income households - low income is defined as 60% of area median income 

• 32% of two adult households  
• 67.5% of lone parent households 

Veterans in recovery 

• 26,000 to 30,000 veteran families living in Sunderland 

Mental health recovery 

• 23% of people in Sunderland suffer from high levels of anxiety 
• 12.4 people per 100K in population die of suicide 
• 183 hospital admissions per 100K in population are for mental health conditions. 

CHTS’s offerings are in direct alignment with the City of Sunderland‘s stated vision by contributing to the development of healthier, happier people who are more engaged in their lives, families, communities, work and their city.  

Okay... Here it goes... the Big Ask!  

What do we (CHTS) need to help Sunderland achieve its vision? 

Let me start by saying, we have a strategy which is separated in to three phases. 

• Phase I – Establish - Startup Crowdfunding 
• Phase II – Stabilize - Major Funding 
• Phase III – Sustain and Grow - For Profit Revenue 

Phase I – Establish - Startup Crowdfunding     

We have a wild Crowdfunding goal for Phase I - £30,000 - and we believe it is out there.  Based on our analysis, this amount should be sufficient to cover the first 6 months of operating expenses. It will give CHTS the necessary finances to establish itself while seeking funding from major Change Makers with whom our purpose aligns as well as develop revenue opportunities in the business sector and general public. This initial round of funding will support the following: 

• Branding and website development  
• Marketing 
• Develop structures, strategies and practices to support the growth of the organization  
• Business development  
• Acquire equipment and materials 
• Secure a facility 
• Develop and/or prepare course work materials, and 
• Develop policies and procedures 
• Salaries and outsourced service providers 

Phase II – Stabilize - Major Change Maker Funding – Months 6 through 18 

Our goal for Phase II is to raise £70,000 from Major Change Makers like government agencies, charities and foundations, whose purposes align with CHTS. This second phase of funding will help create the necessary financial foundation required for long-term success. Meanwhile business development efforts will lead to for profit revenue increasing self-sufficiency. The following is a short list of some Major Change Makers from whom we may seek funding: 

• City of Sunderland 
• Coastal Communities Fund 
• Sunderland Crowdfunding 
• Gentoo 
• Big Lottery Fund
• Corona Response and Recovery Fund 
• Local Growth Fund 

So, if you participate, what will you get in return? 

That's a great question!  Now that we have put our need out there, let’s talk about what you will get in return. Unfortunately, because this is a Community Interest Company – Company Limited by Guarantee, we are not able to provide a financial return to you Change Makers, Community Transformers, and Make-a-difference Folks who chose to help.  What we can offer are rewards.  We have provided a variety of rewards based on the level of participation.  Please take a minute to review each of the levels and thoughtfully decide which level might be most optimal for you to participate in at this time. 

One last thought... from me, the Chief Change Maker 

Firstly, I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to you Change Makers, Community Transformers and Make-a-Difference Folks who read this entire request through to the end.  Thank you!  If you are not able to participate at this time, at least you know what we are up to, and it may have inspired you!

For you Change Makers, Community Transformers and Make-a-Difference Folks who decided to help us make a difference in Sunderland, Thank you!  Thank you! Thank you! 

When it comes to making a difference in our communities, it literally takes a community. Each of us has a role to play.  Whether its boots on the ground volunteers, financial support, leadership, or being a cheerleader.  It all matters.  It all makes a difference. From my heart... Thank you!   

May your hearts be filled with Love, Joy and Peace!  May your footsteps be light and may the ground be soft beneath your feet!