Group of five friends helping each other climb over fallen log in forest.

Our Values

Our Values = ACT

Our work is guided by three core values that shape everything we do. Together, they spell ACT – because we believe in turning values into action.

Aspire

We champion ambition and possibility within Waltham Forest's social purpose sector. We believe in the extraordinary potential of every organisation, volunteer, and community member to create meaningful change. Through our support, we help local groups reach higher, think bigger, and transform aspirations into impactful action. We don't just help organisations survive – we help them thrive and achieve things they didn't think possible.

In practice: We see your potential and help you reach it. Our training and support focus on growth and possibility, not just problem-solving.

Five women sitting at a conference table in a modern meeting room, with a large screen TV on the wall and a conference phone on the table.

Connect (both ways)

We foster genuine partnerships built on reciprocity and shared purpose. Connection isn't just about what you can get – it's about what you can give. We believe that everyone has something to offer and something to gain from the network. By facilitating connections and collaborative approaches, we ensure that support flows in all directions, creating a resilient sector where everyone both contributes and benefits.

In practice: We ask what you can contribute, not just what you need. We build networks, mentoring relationships, and peer support where knowledge and resources are shared freely.

Two men embracing warmly in a crowded indoor setting, smiling, with several other people in the background.

Trust

We earn and maintain confidence through transparent, consistent, and honest practice. Being trustworthy isn't just about reliability – it's about creating a safe space where organisations can be vulnerable about their challenges, confident in our discretion, and certain of our commitment to their success. We follow through on our commitments, admit when we get things wrong, and create environments where difficult conversations can happen.

In practice: We provide confidential one-to-one support, operate with transparency, and deliver on what we promise.

Two women sitting on a sofa, looking at a tablet and a phone, smiling, in a bright room with large windows and plants.

ACT in Action

Our three values aren't separate – they work together:

Aspire + Connect + Trust = A sector where organisations can be vulnerable about challenges (Trust), collaborate to solve them (Connect), and achieve extraordinary impact (Aspire).