Strategic Planning Session with Our Charity Partner, Head to the Sky

At The Pearce Foundation, we support small charities by providing the tools and guidance they need to grow sustainably. Recently, we worked with Jenny Linton, founder of Head to the Sky, in a strategy session to map out the organisation’s next steps.

Head to the Sky is dedicated to helping young people explore their own stories, culture, and heritage through after-school filmmaking. As one of our partners for 2025, they are on a journey to expand their impact, and we were pleased to support Jenny in refining her vision.

Using SWOT Analysis for Clarity and Direction

What is SWOT?

In strategic planning and strategic management, SWOT analysis is a decision-making technique that identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of an organisation or project.

To help Jenny assess where Head to the Sky stands today and where it needs to go, we used a SWOT analysis—a powerful framework for evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This dynamic tool provided valuable insights and allowed for strategic thinking that adapts to internal and external changes.

This interactive session was hands-on and engaging, with flipchart paper, coloured pens, and thought-provoking discussion prompts to spark fresh perspectives. By the end, Jenny had two clear goals to focus on moving forward.

Some key reflection prompts we explored:

• Strengths – What are you most proud of? What leadership qualities contribute to your success?

• Weaknesses – What’s holding you back from where you want to be?

• Opportunities – What new funding, partnerships, or collaborations could you tap into?

• Threats – Who else is doing similar work, and what can you learn from them?

We’ll continue working closely with Jenny as she takes her next steps, ensuring that Head to the Sky thrives and expands its reach to even more young people. We can’t wait to see how Head to the Sky evolves in the coming year!