Mike Deegan Consulting

Friendly, efficient and empathetic, Mike has a vast knowledge of funding sources which he can adapt to any situation. Hopton & Coton Parish Council gained a pack of very professionally-produced materials telling us all about Primary and Secondary Funding as well as Social Investment Sources. In each case we can find information about up to how much each funder could give, what their criteria are and how our community could tick the various eligibility boxes because of our unique situation. Everyone’s situation is unique and
Mike taps into that offering advice and tips along the way.

Mike researches the proposed project, does a profile of the area and even suggests the stance that local authorities will take concerning your project. He also predicts your likelihood of success concerning the various funding agents.

We have been very impressed by Mike – particularly since he has followed our project with interest, long after he has been remunerated for his work.

Hopton Parish Council thoroughly recommends using Mike Deegan’s skills at every stage of your project.

Mike was a Gnosall Parish Councillor for over seven years, three as Vice-Chair, during which time the Council was able to benefit from his dedication to environmental and community issues, breadth of knowledge and expertise in bringing to completion a number of complex projects. He has considerable experience of writing bids – generating £200,000 of funding for community & sports initiatives through a combination of bids and partnership working.

He was responsible for the Council’s Award-Winning Acres Community Initiative, which is used and loved by residents young & old alike and helped start the Library & Youth Club projects. He instituted a Communications Strategy, designed to enhance public communication and prepare for every eventuality, which put the Council on a far more professional and organised footing and was significant in the achievement of our Quality Gold status. He was also a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group which successfully delivered an approved Plan in 2015. His contribution to community initiatives and to the work of Council led to his being nominated for a Gnosall Parish Council Community Award in 2018, which is testimony to the appreciation of his work.

Mike has demonstrated in Gnosall that he is adept at understanding of managing project processes – with skills that are eminently transferable. The Council is happy to endorse the quality of his work and his commitment to high-quality community initiatives.

I worked with Mike for 17 years during his time at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) where he was initially Nature Reserves Manager and later, our Living Landscapes Manager. Mike is a canny fundraiser and drove a number of our work areas forward with successful bids. Many were innovative, experimental and new areas of influence for SWT. All have been of great benefit to people, wildlife and landscapes.

Mike also represented The Wildlife Trusts on a three-year Eurosite project supporting five East European countries with wetland management planning and community consultation. Mike was lead advisor to NGOs and agencies in Lithuania and I know these experiences had a profound influence on his career.

Mike is currently working with us on project to develop our meadows to include a wetland area, improved infrastructure Iron-age cookhouse along with a regenerative horticulture project.

To start the project, Mike facilitated a meeting of managers and trustees and toured the site with us, and we look forward to hiring Mike’s services for the duration of the project.

Mike has a wealth of experience in fundraising on environmental projects and we were most impressed by his breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm would recommend Mike’s services for any similar project.

Mike was recommended to us by a neighbouring county officer colleague who was happy to endorse Mike’s services adding that he does indeed “do what it says on the tin”!

Having therefore invited Mike to speak at our funding event in June, he gave an excellent presentation with much relevant and helpful information. I am aware that following that event, he has been approached for his services.

Based upon Mike’s experience, he has accepted our invitation to join our Local Council Award Scheme Accreditation Panel and has already assisted us in successfully assessing a Quality Gold Level application. We are continuing to work with Mike and very happy to recommend his services.