Poetry Evening at Westminster Abbey

Objective
Deliver a memorable fundraising and stewardship event to celebrate the Cardinal Hume Centre's 40th Anniversary, inspiring major donors through an evening centred on themes of hope, welcome and refuge. The event was planned and delivered end-to-end within an eight-week timeframe, with the goal of strengthening donor engagement and generating support for the charity's future work.

Audience
150 major donors, new and existing supporters of the Cardinal Hume Centre, a Westminster-based homelessness charity.

Execution
Led the full planning and delivery of a 150-guest Poetry Evening at the iconic Westminster Abbey, overseeing all elements from initial concept through to event execution within an eight-week delivery window.

Working closely with the Cardinal Hume Centre team and venue stakeholders, I managed event logistics, guest communications, supplier coordination, production planning and onsite delivery. The programme featured a carefully curated series of poetry readings exploring themes of hope, welcome and refuge, designed to connect guests emotionally with the Centre's mission and impact.

The evening provided an intimate and inspiring setting for donor engagement, combining the unique atmosphere of Westminster Abbey with powerful storytelling to celebrate the charity's 40-year legacy and encourage continued support.

Results
Successfully delivered a high-profile fundraising and stewardship event within a challenging timescale, welcoming 150 major donors and supporters to Westminster Abbey. The event strengthened relationships with key supporters, celebrated the Cardinal Hume Centre's 40th Anniversary, and created meaningful opportunities to inspire future giving through a compelling and mission-led guest experience.

Do you need support delivering an event?

Jess is experienced in organising small-scale events, including department away days, charity fundraising events and award ceremonies.