How to write a proposal

Proposal: an evening skills exchange Purpose This proposal recommends a six-week pilot in which residents share practical skills at the community centre on Wednesday evenings. The aim would be to create an accessible starting point for learning and meeting neighbours, rather than to replace professionally taught courses. Delivery The available room could host one small session each week, led by a resident volunteering a skill such as basic sewing or organising digital photographs. A staff coordinator should confirm the topic, expected materials and suitable group size in advance. The printing budget could cover a simple programme and clear joining instructions. Participants should know beforehand whether they need to bring anything, so that costs do not emerge unexpectedly during a session. Practical considerations Relying on volunteers creates a risk of cancellation. A reserve discussion activity and an early confirmation deadline would reduce disruption. The coordinator should also check that proposed activities are appropriate for the room and the participants. Volunteers should not be presented as qualified tutors unless that has been established. Keeping the first programme modest would make it easier to identify what support is actually needed. Evaluation Attendance alone would not demonstrate success. Brief feedback should ask whether participants felt able to join in, learned something useful and would return. Volunteer workload should also be reviewed. The committee could then decide whether to continue, adapt or stop the scheme, based on the pilot rather than enthusiasm alone.

This example illustrates structure and tone and may be shorter than the suggested range. Develop your own response.