It’s been five years since Wigrow’s inception, and boy has it been a journey. From big wins to quiet struggles, the path of running a small not-for-profit has been anything but simple. Starting Wigrow while juggling full-time work, limited resources, and life’s many demands has been both rewarding and incredibly challenging. In this blog, I want to share some of the behind-the-scenes realities, not to complain, but to shine a light on what it really takes to keep a grassroots organisation like Wigrow going.

I started Wigrow at university in my third year, at the time I had a dream of making it a global organisation, capable of supporting rural schools across the world. Initially our aim was to support rural schools financially, but I soon realised we could do more to create long-term change. That’s when our mission shifted to helping rural schools become sustainable. Over the years we have partnered with amazing organisations like Pepita, organised fundraising initiatives, and raised hundreds of pounds that have all gone to supporting initiatives at Good Shepherd School. I can proudly say we have found solutions to real problems. But what I want to talk about are some of the challenges of running and managing a non-profit

We are still alive!

When you’re quiet online or can’t run big events, it can feel like you’re invisible. Over time, I’ve had to accept that impact isn’t always loud, and isn’t always public. This sometimes can create the perception that not much is happening in the background, but behind the scenes, gears are always moving. I often have to remind myself that every step we take, however small, is a step in the right direction. So if you go days, weeks, or even months without hearing from us, and you’re ever wondering how things are going, drop us a message, we’d love to hear from you.

Burnout is real…

I am forever grateful to the people who have helped turn this dream into something real, and who have sacrificed their own time to support students in rural schools. But the reality is: burnout is real. Working full-time while also managing a non-profit on the side can be hard work. However, I know how far-reaching the consequences of not being able to access education can be. Sometimes it can be hard finding the energy to plan, write, and organise, and I have many stories where I have burnt out. But the mission, and its potential, is what keeps me going. And I’m proud to say Wigrow is still here.

We are yet to receive a grant

No one told me how difficult, tedious, and long grant applications can be! I always knew funding would be a challenge, but I didn’t quite realise just how complex and time-consuming it would be. The hours of writing, refining documents, and attaching the right materials, only to be met with silence or rejection. As a small team, it’s a lot to juggle. We don’t have a professional fundraiser or a big team reviewing proposals. We’ve had to rely on creative ideas, personal networks, and word of mouth to raise funds. We haven’t secured a grant yet, but we’re learning with every application. And we’re still trying. If you know any funding bodies we should check out, or have tips for grant writing, we’d love to hear from you!

It's difficult to connect with the students we want to support

I’m incredibly grateful to John, who has been a consistent source of insight, strength, and action for everything happening at Good Shepherd School. But as someone working from afar, it’s hard not to feel the distance. It’s tough to connect directly with the students, to see the impact first-hand, or to respond quickly when needs arise. This is something I hope to change soon, and I’ll keep you updated on that journey.

We share this not to dwell on the struggle, but to stay transparent

If you’ve ever supported Wigrow, know that your help goes further than you think. And if you’re new here, we’re glad you’re reading. For a long time, I believed I had to carry everything on my own, the projects, the challenges, the wins, and the setbacks. But I’m starting to see the value in bringing people along for the journey. You deserve to know what’s happening behind the scenes, and to know that Wigrow is still alive and very much active.

I still believe in the mission and the goal: children in rural schools deserve the same access to education as any student in a city or well-funded institution. The only real difference is access to opportunity, resources, infrastructure, and support. Our goal is to help level the playing field by using sustainability as the foundation.