‘This strategic vision sets the BWY on course to be an exciting advocate for yoga in the UK, giving us the mandate to champion yoga to all sectors of society.
These priorities have been developed as a result of consultation with our members and volunteers, so that our organisation reflects everyone’s values. Not only will we endeavour to broaden the scope of high quality yoga in the UK, but create a solid, democratic organisation which invests in and values their volunteers, works within the realm of financial stability and is governed well. We hope this strategic vision will create a legacy from which many future generations can benefit.’
Diana O’Reilly, BWY Chair
‘For a relatively small organisation, the BWY is a remarkably complex one, being at the same time a membership organisation, training provider and a National Governing Body recognised by Sport England and Sport Wales.
This strategy seeks to develop our activities under all those headings, whilst at the same time restoring the organisation to a financially sustainable position and continuing to strengthen our governance and internal structures.’
Peter Tyldesley, CEO
Our pathway
Values
Accessible. Welcoming. Supportive. Committed to Excellence. Above all, we honour the principles and traditions of yoga in all we do.
Vision
Enriching lives through yoga.
Mission
By celebrating the transformative power and rich heritage of yoga, to champion excellence in teaching and practice.
Our goals and expectations
- As the National Governing Body for Yoga, championing accessibility to serve the whole yoga community in all its diversity.
- To raise the profile and enhance the reputation of BWY.
- To increase recruitment of new members and retention of existing ones.
- To invest in the development of our people: members, staff and volunteers.
- To maximise our delivery of environmental projects and sustainable working practices.
- To generate sufficient funds from a diversified range of sources, to enable us to continue to grow to serve our members and the wider yoga community.
- To continue to strengthen our governance framework.
Our goals in action
Members
To increase recruitment of new members and retention of existing ones, we will:
- Develop a regional approach to membership recruitment and retention.
- Develop greater choice in training.
- Regularly review the members benefit package to ensure value for money.
- Identify and promote an annual schedule of Members Sessions, delivering inclusive yoga learning, free to BWY members.
Reputation
To raise and enhance the reputation of BWY we will
- Communicate widely and effectively across key audiences.
- Empower BWY’s staff and volunteers to work together to maximise the profile of BWY. Publicise research work and findings.
- Work with like-minded organisations to raise the profile of the BWY.
Environment
To maximise our delivery of environmental projects and sustainable working practices, we will
- Develop a culture which considers all opportunities to care for the environment.
- Partner with other organisations on projects building environmental sustainability.
Recognition
To invest in the development of our people, members, staff and volunteers, we will:
- Demonstrate BWY’s gratitude for all our volunteers.
- Recognise the commitment, value and support of BWY volunteers. Recognise the commitment, value and support of BWY staff.
- Monitor and review the Recognition Award Programme for volunteers. Recruit new volunteers for succession planning and to fill gaps in regions.
Community
As the national governing body for yoga, to serve the whole yoga community, we will:
- Strengthen our links with Sport England and Sport Wales.
- Reach and connect with currently underserved local communities.
- Engage in research projects and relationships with relevant organisations.
- Deliver charitable projects solely or in partnership with other organisations.
- Develop EDI initiatives to create equity of access to BWY yoga.
- Launch our Yoga in Action community programme, reaching out to those unable to access yoga, helping to tackle health and wellbeing inequalities.
- Pilot schemes to gain expertise so they can be scaled and implemented in our regions.
- Create a hub for communication and networking among our Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs).
Investment
To generate sufficient funds, from a diversified range of sources, to enable us to continue to serve our members and the wider community, we will:
- Continue to invest in infrastructure.
- Review pricing to ensure that costs are recovered, and a contribution made to overheads.
- Monitor our approach to investment management.
- Monitor pricing structure for our Accredited Training Organisation package.
- Develop new financial guidelines to ensure events, courses and affiliations at least break even on a full cost recovery basis and, where required, make a positive contribution to surplus.
- Look for opportunities to monetise the BWY brand.
Governance
To continue to strengthen our governance framework, we will:
- Deliver the governance plan to continue to strengthen the framework of the organisation.
- Continue to develop and deliver policies and procedures that are reflective of excellence in all we do.
- Review and update the Articles of Association to reflect current legislation
Recruit new volunteers for succession planning and to fill gaps in regions by communicating clear Role Descriptions, coupled with providing an induction and training programme that is relevant and provides volunteers with the information they need to be able to fulfill the requirements of their role. - Develop annual AGM programmes that highlight recent improvements, activities and vision for the BWY and celebrate the Volunteer Awards.
- Continue to work closely with BWYQ to deliver and develop regulated courses.
- Develop financial guidelines to guarantee viability of events, courses and affiliations.
STRATEGY IN ACTION
At the heart of yoga volunteering recognition
Launched in February 2023, the Heart of Yoga Awards were promoted across communication platforms, centring on an email campaign. Email remains BWY’s most impactful engagement tool.
Goals and expectations
Recognise and celebrate volunteering in BWY, focusing on six areas reflecting strategic touchstones such as long service, exceptional regional event management and new volunteer input.
Celebrating commitment
Award recipients were celebrated in a closing ceremony at the BWY AGM in May 2023, together with Wilfred Clark Award recipients.
Receiving the first Heart of Yoga Awards were:
The Anthony Grover Award – John Cain and Christine Royle
Rising Star – Sandra Cook
Community Champion – Davy Jones
Ambassador of the Year – Ilkay Ozcan
Education Champion of the Year – Laura Le Feuvre
Event Volunteer of the Year – Jo Webb
Receiving Wilfred Clark Awards were Jenny Low and Sarah Gott
Regional sangha
As the national governing body for yoga, to serve the whole yoga community.
Membership feedback reported the Sangha programme was right, but in the current socio-economic climate a more local approach better met the needs of the many. Time, travel and cost were all cited as barriers.
Goals and expectations
Develop a regional approach to membership recruitment and retention.
Increase recruitment of new members and retention of existing ones.
Engagement to date
Launching from Summer Solstice (21 June) Sanghas took place until the end of 2023. All BWY communities requested brand assets to support membership inquiries at events.
Supporting BWY communities’ already excellent event delivery, the tools used in national events were shared through a series of manuals to further enhance sangha success brand assets including recruitment brochures, banners and T-shirts.
Maximise our delivery of environmental projects – Yoga in Action
The tree-planting initiative unites communities in conservation efforts.
Following the success of our ‘For the love of trees’ campaign last year, BWY renewed its commitment to the planet in collaboration with environmental charities across the UK. BWY Chair, Di O’Reilly, said: ‘This campaign is the true essence of karma yoga – selfless action to the Earth and a legacy that will keep on giving for generations to come. It was a great opportunity to come together with BWY members to embrace the great outdoors and sow the seeds of hope for our planet’s future.’
Raising awareness and enhance reputation of BWY
BWY refreshed its Membership packages to include free learning opportunities to support everyone’s yoga journey, whether teachers or members expanding their learning.
Members Sessions continue to grow in popularity. More than 130 members attended Bill Wood in November 2023.
A new website
In October 2023 BWY launched its new website, showcasing its members in imagery and the breadth of its offering for potential new members. Foward thinking technical processes will enhance users’ experience for many years to come and give BWY a platform to support and promote our mission and goals. New features include integrated email marketing to engage with visitors according to their interests and needs.
Goals and expectations
Reflect BWY’s vision and mission.
Support BWY’s contribution to increasing the public’s awareness and understanding of yoga.
Help build new membership recruitment.
Enriching lives through the practice, sharing and training in yoga.
