Calums Cabin
“Previously, booking a family took days or even weeks due to the manual processes. Now, it’s done in minutes. That time-saving has allowed us to focus on what truly matters—helping more families enjoy a much-needed break during the most challenging times."
Calums Cabin, A Year Later
Nestled on the serene Isle of Bute in Scotland, Calum’s Cabin is a charity offering vital holiday experiences to families across the UK who have children facing cancer. These holidays provide moments of solace, togetherness, and joy amidst the toughest challenges of life. The charity is a living testament to the selfless spirit of its namesake, Calum Speirs, a courageous young boy whose vision and compassion inspired an enduring legacy.
In Memory Of An Amazing Lad
Calum Speirs was born on 18th November 1994, one minute before his beloved twin sister Jenna. Calum was an active and vibrant young boy, full of energy and enthusiasm, until January 2006, when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. The diagnosis devastated his family, but Calum’s resolve and positivity shone brightly even in the darkest times.
Over the next 13 months, Calum faced his illness with extraordinary bravery, inspiring all who knew him.
Despite enduring immense physical challenges, Calum continued to laugh, smile, and think of others before himself. His selflessness sparked a vision to create a place where families like his could escape the strain of illness, find respite, and make memories. Calum tragically passed away on 16th February 2007, but his dream lives on in Calum’s Cabin—a sanctuary born of love, resilience, and hope.
Scaling To Help Children With Cancer Enjoy Holidays
Since its founding, Calum’s Cabin has been a lifeline for families facing childhood cancer. The charity’s vision is simple yet profound: to keep families together and provide precious moments of respite.
Each week, the charity welcomes up to 17 families to its cabins and additional properties on the Isle of Bute and surrounding areas.
However, as demand grew, the limitations of the charity’s manual administrative processes became evident. Their outdated system involved:
- Microsoft Access databases and numerous Excel spreadsheets.
- Paper calendars and forms sent and received by post.
- A reliance on institutional knowledge held by the founder, Caroline.
- This fragmented system was time-consuming, error-prone, and unsustainable, especially as the charity sought to reach more families.For families already under immense pressure, delays in booking or miscommunication could add unnecessary stress. Calum’s Cabin needed a modern solution to streamline operations and allow them to scale their impact.
The Charities Salesforce Solution
The Solution: Partnering with Hyphen8 to Transform Operations
In May 2023, Calum’s Cabin was introduced to Hyphen8 through Inspiring Scotland’s Specialist Volunteering Network. Elaine Forth, Hyphen8’s founder, led the project on a pro bono basis, bringing her deep understanding of Salesforce and nonprofit needs to the table.
Together, Hyphen8 and Calum’s Cabin implemented Salesforce to modernize their operations, focusing on:
- Streamlined Booking Process:
- An online booking form now integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, replacing paper applications.
- Real-time updates ensure families can secure their holidays within minutes instead of weeks.
- Enhanced Efficiency:
- Automating processes saved an estimated 90 administrative days annually.
- Staff can now focus on reaching more hospitals and families in need.
- Cancellation Management:
- A streamlined system allows the team to reallocate cancelled holiday slots efficiently. Within six months, 19 cancellations were refilled, providing holidays to more families.
- Integrated Fundraising:
- Salesforce tools for tracking donations and engaging supporters have strengthened the charity’s ability to secure funding and expand its reach.
Francesca, who oversees bookings, shared the impact:
"Previously, booking a family took days or even weeks due to the manual processes. Now, it’s done in minutes.
That time-saving has allowed us to focus on what truly matters—helping more families enjoy a much-needed break during the most challenging times."
Working With Hyphen8 To Create Impact
The Impact: A Legacy of Compassion and Efficiency
Since adopting Salesforce, Calum’s Cabin has seen transformative results:
- Increased Capacity: An additional 11 holidays have been provided in just six months, a 6% year-on-year increase.
- Reduced Stress for Families: Faster bookings and improved communication ensure a seamless experience for families already under significant strain.
- Sustainability: The charity is now better equipped to manage its growing operations, ensuring Calum’s vision continues to flourish.
Caroline, the charity’s founder, reflected on the journey:
"Calum’s Cabin was built to honour my son’s dream of helping others.
Working with Hyphen8 has been incredible—they understood our mission and tailored Salesforce to meet our unique needs. Thanks to them, we’ve been able to help more families and create lasting memories for those who need them most."
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
Hyphen8’s support extended beyond technical expertise. Elaine and her team donated £1,000 to Calum’s Cabin’s Christmas appeal and provided FormAssembly licenses to simplify holiday applications further. Elaine shared her thoughts on the collaboration:
"It’s a privilege to support such an inspiring charity. Calum’s Cabin’s mission is extraordinary, and we’re proud to play a part in helping them make a difference."
With Salesforce as its operational backbone, Calum’s Cabin is well-positioned to expand its impact. The charity is now exploring additional functionalities to further improve its services and continue supporting families in their time of need.
Calum’s legacy is one of courage, compassion, and selflessness. Thanks to the dedication of his family and the support of partners like Hyphen8, that legacy lives on, bringing hope and joy to countless families facing cancer.
If you'd like to find out about the incredible work Inspiring Scotland do, please visit their website, where you look at how to volunteer and get involved.
