For a medium-sized charitable organisation in Dumfries & Galloway, managing HR effectively was crucial.

With over 50 employees, they needed to ensure their middle and senior managers were equipped with the right skills to lead, communicate and manage performance consistently.

Initially, the charity engaged Dawson Kaveney HR for a one-off project: training their line managers in core HR skills. With a national HR provider already in place, they expected this to be a standalone engagement. However, Helen's straightforward approach and deep understanding of their organisation quickly made an impact.

Why choose Dawson Kaveney HR?

What started as a single training session evolved into a trusted partnership. The charity recognised the benefits of working with a local consultant who truly understood their needs and organisation. Instead of relying on a large, impersonal HR provider, they decided to bring Helen on as a retained HR advisor for ongoing support and training.

"We have used Dawson Kaveney HR on a number of occasions and benefited from clear and pragmatic approach to supporting our HR function. So much so, that we now have Helen on a retainer to support our organisation and train our middle and senior managers," said the Dumfries & Galloway charity.

Tailored HR support to meet specific challenges

The charity approached Dawson Kaveney HR to:

• Upskill managers in line management and performance management.
  
• Improve HR processes to ensure consistency across the organisation.
  
• Provide specialist guidance to support their in-house HR lead.
  
• Ensure policies and employment contracts remained compliant and aligned with their operational needs.
  

Expert HR guidance delivered by Helen

Helen provided comprehensive, hands-on support, delivering a combination of on-site meetings, virtual calls and phone support to ensure her HR support was tailored to the charity's structure and culture.

Key areas of support included:

• Line management training to improve confidence in performance management and communication.
  
• An HR Health Check, including a full review of contracts, policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
  
• Guidance on redundancy processes, ensuring things are handled professionally and legally.
  
• On-site meetings to gain a real understanding of the charity's values and culture.
  

Helen's flexibility and availability ensured that support was always accessible and responsive.

"Helen is always at the end of the phone or an email, and nothing is ever too much trouble. Meeting face-to-face on-site really helped her understand our organisation and culture," said the client.

Positive outcomes: confidence, consistency and compliance

Since working with Dawson Kaveney HR, the charity has strengthened its HR processes, and managers feel more confident in handling performance management and communication. The switch from a national HR provider to a dedicated local consultant has not only ensured a more personal, responsive service but has also resulted in notable cost savings.

With Helen's guidance, they now have a clear and consistent approach to leadership, ensuring that HR actions are aligned with both best practices and the organisation's needs.

By partnering with Dawson Kaveney HR, the charity now has a stronger, more confident leadership team and HR processes that support long-term success.

"Having Dawson Kaveney HR by our side gave us confidence that we were taking the right actions, in the right way."

"Overall, a really great service, Thank you, Helen!"

Need support for your business?

Whether you're based in Carlisle, Dumfries & Galloway, or further afield, Dawson Kaveney HR can support your business with a wide range of HR and people management activities.

Get in touch today to discuss how Helen can help your organisation build confidence in HR and leadership.