August is about systems. I work using methods and theories that connect you, your internal and external worlds and your organisation and its internal and external worlds.
August is about leadership
I provide creative, therapeutic working models tailored to help individuals and groups see and think more clearly.
This approach enables better decision-making, enhanced problem-solving, and more effective leadership.
“Charlie’s one-to-one executive support was invaluable to me throughout a time of significant change within the AYJ. Having a safe and reflective space to work through my strategic and operational thinking was instrumental in providing me with the clarity I needed to navigate a period of organisational and individual transition.
In a very small organisation where leadership can sometimes feel like a lonely endeavour, Charlie’s extensive experience and ability to stretch my thinking (and all with a great sense of humour and abundant compassion) provided me with vital peer support at an incredibly important time in my professional development.”
Pippa Goodfellow, Chief Executive of the Alliance for Youth Justice
Welcome to August: Loving Leadership, Leading the life you love
I am a specialist organisational consultant with a unique mix of CEO and Chair experience, alongside decades of complex group work
practice and therapeutic training.
For 12 years I was CEO of a small, national arts education organisation designing and delivering personal development programmes for people in prison in England and Wales.
As well as leading the team, growth and impact of the organisation, I led the organisation to a merger when its national reach required larger
infrastructure.
I was Chair of a complex national criminal justice and education organisation for five years.
By collaborating with August, you will gain access to a wealth of experience and a creative outlet for resolving issues and achieving clarity.
Ready to discuss a project?
"Charlie has been instrumental in creating the space to enable the Abianda Board to bring strong focus in the strategic planning of what the organisation really needs, in order to progress with its ambitions in the sector, but most essentially for the young women it supports. Charlie challenges thinking to ensure that all possibilities and opinions are explored, with the ability to both create and adapt a session in the room, to meet the changing needs and ensure meaningful outcomes."
Clare Walkedon, Chair, Abianda Board of Directors
My working life has mirrored my personal life in many ways. I have always been on the move, doing a million different things and deeply committed to people, relationships and activities in very intensive ways.
"As a new Chief Executive I was looking for someone to think through some of the challenges and opportunities ahead. Charlie understands and embraces the complexity that comes with the role of a CE of a voluntary led organisation, but working with her brings out the optimism and belief in myself to tackle in a way suited to who I am."
1:1 client, January 2023
What sets August apart?
August is named after someone I cared about who died in prison. It’s also my favourite month, connected to my lucky number and means “impressive, distinguished, respected, eminent”.
I set up August in January 2023 and now I work with a wide variety of groups, individuals and across sectors and specialisms.
While all groups have a lot in common, every group is entirely different. I never run the same session twice. I make every single workshop, group session, away day or strategy process by hand. Everything is tailored to meet your specific needs and requirements, offering support, supervision, training, and strategic planning for individuals, teams, and whole organisations.
I care about impact and value for money and I care about the quality of what I do.
I want to do things that matter and I am very direct. I value integrity, clarity and sincerity.
I’ve been studying group therapeutic theory and practice for over a decade, I’ve got several qualifications in it and I’m an extremely experienced group worker, process maker, transformational change designer and impact detective.
My extensive track record includes collaborations with organizations including between 2023 and now: The Alliance for Youth Justice, Revolving Doors Agency, WALK Ministries, Abianda, Birmingham Community Matters, Kingston Voluntary Alliance, RBKares, Moving on Together, Voices of Hope, Birth Companions, Warwick University and Camden and Islington NHS Trust.
"Charlie provided support to the Alliance for Youth Justice to support the staff team during a period of significant transition. Her interventions enabled staff to reflect on their experiences and their responses to change, and provided space for them to develop their learning in order to create resilience for the future. Charlie also worked with the board to help review its culture and approach to governance of the organisation. We were keen to ensure the whole organisation demonstrates the vision we are committed to, and to be able to support the staff through any future change through good, supportive governance.
Charlie's approach was professionally supportive and challenging, and provided a reflective space for all members of the board to review their roles and responsibilities in supporting the Alliance for Youth Justice in achieving its aims. We were also able to identify improvements and developments that individuals, and the board as a collective, will undertake to ensure our learning is fully utilised.”
Lesley Tregear, Chair of the Alliance for Youth Justice