Q&A Spotlight - Charlotte Turlo

Charlotte Turlo is Commercial Manager at Town Hall & Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Who / what is your inspiration? 

My uncle encouraged me to get involved in collecting signatures for Greenpeace with him when I was about 12 years old. This had a great effect on me as I realised that even I could do something practical and positive to help a cause I felt strongly about at the time. The last three years I have been part of the voluntary group of the Sokka Gakkai International ('Value Creation' organisation) that is dedicated to promoting the values of peace, culture and education internationally. The president of the organisation, Diasaku Ikeda, writes to the UN every year with peace proposals and has worked to promote peace among world leaders and thinkers. 
 

What prompted you to get involved in volunteering? 

I am fortunate enough to work for the independent charitable trust Performances Birmingham Limited. The organisation manages both Town Hall and Symphony Hall jointly and presents an exciting and varied programme of over 600 concerts and events every year, as well as undertaking amazing work via an Education and Community department. My role is to generate income from the two venues by hiring them out to private sector clients. This has inspired my passion for the third sector and social enterprise as a key way of fulfilling both income targets for charities and CSR targets for businesses. It is a perfect example of supply and demand with a pinch of 'feel good factor' thrown in! 
 

Which / what type of organisation are you involved in? 

I am very proud to have become involved with a fantastic, ambitious community based project in Washwood Health, The Comm:pact Group. They have recently acquired their own premises and are looking to expand their facilities and I am working with them to identify ways to generate income in the medium to long term and help them to move away from a funding reliant finance model which makes it very difficult for third sector groups to plan ahead. I have also volunteered to act as a member of the TSCD steering group set up by the BVSA (The Centre for voluntary Action) and I am a member of Birmingham Future's Community Development Committee. 
 

What's the best thing about volunteering? 

Using my skills, knowledge and experience to add value to my community, directly and indirectly. I love working with volunteers who are so passionate about what they do and I try to add enthusiasm, energy and belief in the potential of the project to encourage positive outcomes.    
 

Who have you met while volunteering? 

Nobody famous - but the most amazing, inspiring people I could ever wish to meet. I feel more in awe and humbled when I leave their company that anyone I have met in the entertainment and events industry!
 

What projects are you working on at the moment / would like to highlight? 

Town Hall and Symphony Hall are part of the ‘Third Sector Conference Directory’ which is a group of representatives from not for profit venues including registered charities, CIC’s, Social Enterprises & Faith Groups have come together to form a steering group. 

This will be available to the private sector and brings together the offer of third sector venues as alternative conference, events and corporate entertainment spaces. This is a hugely important move and very timely for businesses that are aware of the importance of corporate hospitality and networking but are conscious of the scrutiny that such activity comes under in the economic climate. This is a perfect way to fulfil both remits and utlise different, unique and often very impressive venues, at the same time. 
 

Why should others get involved? 

Firstly, I think volunteering gives you the chance to show that you do much more than ‘just your job’ to both your employer and the outside world. Using and gaining skills while adding value to a cause that is close to your heart is almost irresistible to any employer. Voluntary organisations are also recognising that the level of commitment and time has to be clearly outlined at the start and work within the parameters of busy schedules and existing commitments. This makes volunteering more accessible for individuals from different backgrounds to get involved .

If you are interested in getting involved with The Comm:pact Group please contact me on: charlotte.torlo@thsh.co.uk

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