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by Abi Mellor from MOREVER
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- 2 weeks ago53 min
Purveyors of Hope | Debra Allcock Tyler | Leading Lights Podcast
In this episode of Leading Lights, Abi is joined by Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change, author, and one of the most experienced voices in the UK charity sector, with over four decades of insight behind her.Debra’s story begins in a military family, growing up across countries and cultures — an upbringing that shaped her perspective on people, resilience, and the world around her. From there, she built a career defined not by a straight line, but by curiosity, conviction, and a willingness to step forward when it mattered most.Debra speaks candidly about the challenges charities are facing today: shrinking resources, rising demand, and a growing sense of being misunderstood or undervalued. But she also challenges the narrative, reflecting on how easily the sector can fall into a “doom loop” of negativity, and why it matters to hold onto hope.Because at its core, she reminds us, the work of charities is about exactly that. Hope. Along the way, the conversation explores:What 40+ years in the sector teaches you about leadership and staying grounded.Why mindset matters as much as strategy in difficult times.The responsibility leaders have to create energy, not just manage pressure.How to build a career by stepping forward, even before you feel ready.Debra also shares a simple but powerful piece of advice for anyone finding their way:Go for it.Put yourself forward.Be someone people want to work with.There’s warmth in this conversation, but also honesty, including a moment that clearly moves Abi, a reminder that leadership, at its best, is deeply human.This is an episode about perspective, about resilience without cynicism and about choosing hope.LinksFind out more about Directory of Social Changehttps://www.dsc.org.uk/Follow DSC on social mediaLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/directory-of-social-change/X: x.com/DSC_CharityEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk
- Apr 7, 202642 min
Connection Through Food | Sophie Tebbetts | Leading Lights Podcast
In this episode of Leading Lights, Abi is joined by Sophie Tebbetts, CEO of FoodCycle, the national charity turning surplus food into shared meals that tackle both hunger and loneliness.Sophie traces her lifelong connection to food – from busy family meals growing up as one of six children to her first job in a pub kitchen. Those early experiences shaped a belief that food has the power to bring people together.Before joining FoodCycle, Sophie worked in the third sector with the British Red Cross and later launched her own food start-up. But it was FoodCycle’s mission that truly captured her imagination.She shares how the charity transforms food that would otherwise go to waste into three-course community meals, cooked and served by volunteers across the UK. The impact goes far beyond nutrition — creating spaces where people connect, share conversation, and build community.Sophie also reflects on leadership, the power of volunteering, and why community dining can change lives in ways statistics alone can’t capture.This is a conversation about food, community, and leadership rooted in purpose.Find out more about FoodCyclehttps://foodcycle.org.uk/Follow FoodCycle on social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodcyclehq/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/foodcycle/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodcycleTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foodcyclehqFoodCycle community meals bring people together for good food and conversation. We serve free, wholesome meals made from food that would have gone to waste, prepared by volunteers and open to everyone. FoodCycle is about more than food – we create a cycle of positive change – reducing food waste and hunger, tackling loneliness, supporting mental health and encouraging healthy eating and sustainable living.Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.ukLinksAbout FoodCycleEnjoyed this conversation?
- Mar 2, 20261h 19m
Fundraisers Make Great CEOs with Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer
Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Lives vs CancerIn this powerful conversation, Rachel Kirby-Rider shares her journey from working-class roots in Essex to CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer, and the resilience, self-doubt, courage and conviction that shaped her leadership along the way .Rachel talks openly about being the first in her family to go to university, underperforming academically but overdelivering in impact, and starting her career in corporate sales before discovering fundraising, by writing directly to a charity leader and asking how to do his job .She reflects on:Becoming CEO just two weeks before the UK went into COVID lockdownLeading with energy and recognising burnout before it’s too lateWhy fundraisers make brilliant CEOsThe importance of peer networks, mentors and coachesChallenging class bias and belonging in the charity sectorRachel also explains the vital role Young Lives vs Cancer plays in supporting children and young people from diagnosis through their treatment, and providing social workers, accommodation and financial support at the most traumatic time in a family’s life .And after a decade of campaigning, she shares a landmark win: a new government-backed travel fund for young cancer patients, helping families who were previously forced to choose between paying for treatment journeys and everyday essentials .This is an episode about resilience. About collaboration over ego. About empathy as a leadership superpower. And about backing yourself.Key themes: Charity leadership and CEO journeysFundraising to CEO pathwayLeading through crisisSocial work in healthcareCollaboration and system changeWomen in leadershipBelonging and class in the charity sectorOur favourite quote:“Empathy is an absolutely vital component for a leader — because it’s how you notice what other people miss.”Find out more about the charity:younglivesvscancer.org.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/younglivesvscancer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/younglivesvscancer/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/younglivesvscancer/About the charity:When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Playtime is stopped. Independence is taken. Confidence is stolen. It can result in years of education missed, careers put on hold just as they’re starting. It’s spending days desperately trying to navigate complex systems just to get basic support. It’s missing out on experiences and not getting the chance to enjoy new relationships. It’s watching countless opportunities pass by as debt begins to pile up.Young Lives vs Cancer is the leading UK charity for children and young people with cancer and their families. From the moment of diagnosis, its specialist social workers provide day-to-day support for each child, young person and family, from information and guidance to financial support. It works in all the main children’s cancer treatment centres across the UK, working closely with doctors, nurses and other NHS professionals as an integral part of the team caring for children and young people with cancer. It helps them to navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer, removing barriers, solving problems and prioritising wellbeing. By taking the the time to understand what matters most, stopping at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.Enjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk
- Feb 2, 202650 min
From Purpose to Policy with Caroline Lee-Davey, CEO of Bliss
What does it take to turn purpose into real policy change, and keep your organisation anchored to its mission along the way?In this episode of Leading Lights, host Abi Mellor is joined by Caroline Lee-Davey, Chief Executive of Bliss, the UK’s leading neonatal charity. Caroline shares how purpose-led leadership can move beyond good intentions to deliver tangible change. Her campaigning experience is broad and deep, including benefitting from a quirk in the British parliamentary systems, the Private Members’ Bill, to bring the Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Act into law, transforming support for families with babies in neonatal care.Caroline reflects on staying true to mission, navigating the realities of charity leadership, and why trusting your gut instinct matters more than following logic alone. This is a conversation about campaigning that delivers, leadership that is sustainable, and the quiet determination behind real impact.Content note: this episode includes discussion of neonatal care and supporting families with babies born premature or sick.In this episode, we explore:How Bliss turned frontline insight into national policy changeThe stages of a successful campaign, from evidence to ParliamentWhy Caroline’s mantra is: “What difference is this making for babies?”Tackling inequalities in neonatal outcomes for Black, South Asian and disadvantaged familiesTechniques for leading as an introvertWhy joy, boundaries and protected time are essential for long-term impactAbout Caroline Lee-DaveyCaroline joined Bliss as Chief Executive in November 2014; she also sits on the Executive Committee of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, and is a member of NHS England’s Neonatal Critical Care Clinical Reference Group and Maternity & Neonatal Stakeholder Council.Before joining Bliss Caroline was the Director of Policy, Advice and Communications at Gingerbread, the single parent charity, where she led on policy and campaigning work as well as overseeing the delivery of multi-channel information and advice services. Caroline was previously Deputy Director of Communications, Policy and Campaigns at housing charity Shelter. Caroline is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and was a trustee of homelessness charity Crisis from 2014-2020.Find out more about Bliss: https://www.bliss.org.uk/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blisscharityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bliss_4/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blisscharity/About BlissFounded in 1979, Bliss is the UK's leading neonatal charity. Its vision is that every baby born premature or sick in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life. Bliss champions the right of every baby born premature or sick to excellent neonatal care, experience and outcomes. It achieves this by improving care, giving voice to babies, and supporting parents to be partners in care.Bliss' work delivers significant impact for neonatal babies, families and health professionals - at an individual level, across neonatal health services and systems, and nationally, including in the delivery of its landmark campaigning achievement to introduce paid neonatal leave through the Neonatal Care (Leave & Pay) Act, which came into effect in April 2025.At the heart of its work is also a focus on tackling neonatal inequalities. Its 2025-29 strategy prioritises equity of care, equity of voice and equity of support for all neonatal babies and their families.Enjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.<a href="http://www.morever.co.uk/" target="_blank" r
- Jan 5, 20261h 15m
Mission-Driven Leadership | Deborah Alsina, Arthritis UK
In this episode of Leading Lights, Abi Mellor is joined by Deborah Alsina MBE, CEO of Arthritis UK, for a deeply honest conversation about mission-driven leadership and the personal cost of leading purpose-led organisations.Drawing on decades of leadership across the health and charity sector, Deborah reflects on why arthritis remains widely misunderstood, and is often dismissed as part of ageing rather than recognised as a serious, life-limiting condition for millions of people. She shares her own experiences of advocating for others, caring for loved ones with serious illness, and leading organisations through moments of profound change.This conversation goes beyond strategy, exploring why belief in the mission is what sustains leaders through challenge and sacrifice. Deborah also reflects on her husband’s sudden cancer diagnosis, the years of uncertainty that followed, and why choosing work you truly care about matters more than ever.To quote Deborah: “Charities deserve people who give a damn about the mission.” This conversation makes it clear that she is exactly that kind of leader.Arthritis UK is the leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support.Learn about Arthritis UK’s ‘Arthur Tut’ campaign on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisuk/video/7575131588199992598Find out more about the charity:https://www.arthritis-uk.org/Follow Arthritis UK on social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arthritisukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/VersusArthritis/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisukEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk
- Dec 1, 20251h 7m
Leading With Courage with Red Godfrey-Sagoo | Rape Crisis South London
Trigger WarningThis episode contains discussion of rape, sexual violence, child sexual abuse, misogyny, racism, online abuse, and trauma. Please take care while listening, and reach out to a trusted person or support service if you need to.-------------------------------In this powerful conversation, Abi speaks with Red Godfrey-Sagoo, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis South London, about leading at the frontline of sexual-violence support.Red shares her journey from a global childhood and a career in the creative industries to becoming, in her words, an “accidental humanitarian.” She discusses the two-year waiting list facing survivors, the rise of online misogyny and AI-enabled abuse, and what leading as a woman of colour means during a time of political and social tension.With honesty, hope and deep compassion, Red reflects on feminist leadership, equality, and why “not having hope is not an option.” LinksFind out more about Rape Crisis South Londonhttps://www.rapecrisissouthlondon.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapecrisis.southlondonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90697003/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rape.and.abuse.support.centreEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector. Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk
- Nov 3, 202558 min
When Women Lift Each Other | Raakhi Shah on Global Feminism and The Circle
In this inspiring episode of Leading Lights, Raakhi Shah, CEO of The Circle, shares how small acts of solidarity can create global waves of change. Drawing on her experience leading the feminist organisation founded by Annie Lennox, Raakhi talks about the power of women supporting women and her vision of truly global feminism.From her early career in international development to her leadership today, Raakhi reflects on what it takes to stay hopeful, lead fairly, and keep “the circle growing” in a world that can often feel divided. She reminds us that true progress happens when we bridge the gap between those who have power and those whose voices aren’t yet heard.“When you support one woman, the circle grows bigger - that’s how change ripples out.”It’s a conversation about courage, connection, and collective impact - a call to rethink what leadership looks like when empathy leads the way.Links:Follow Raakhi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raakhi-shah-8628b24a/Find out more about The Circle:Instagram - @thecirclengoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-circle-of-womenOr at www.thecircle.ngo/Learn more about bell hooks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_hooksMisan Harriman, Purpose of Light ExhibitionAbout Raakhi ShahRaakhi has over 20 years of experience in international development having previously worked at UNICEF UK and Oxfam NGO covering fundraising, communications, advocacy and campaign initiatives. She has worked with high-level supporters to lobby for change at the G8, G20, Downing Street and African Union, and has led over 30 field visits including to Bangladesh, Lebanon, Jordan, Philippines, Pakistan, India, Malawi and more, bringing the voices of those with lived experience to the forefront. Raakhi was, until recently, a trustee for Reclaim, a youth leadership organisation supporting working class young people in the UK.About The CircleThe Circle is a global feminist organisation, co-founded by Annie Lennox and other leading women. The organisation stands in solidarity and action with marginalised women and girls confronting gender-based violence and economic inequality across the world. The growing backlash to gender equality alongside global funding cuts are having a devastating impact on millions of women and girls. To challenge this, The Circle funds, advocates for and amplifies women-led organisations around the world. Their grassroots partners deliver vital services that combat violence against women, promote economic justice, and uphold women’s rights.Enjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch the next episode, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity? Come along to the MOREVER Meetup – an informal space to share ideas and connect with other women doing creative work in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER – an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk
- Oct 6, 20251h 15m
The Antidote to Sexism with Karen Dobres, former director of Lewes FC
Karen Dobres never liked football - until she realised it could change the world. When she went along with her husband to watch a game at Lewes FC, the local club, Karen discovered that women had been banned from football for 50 years (from 1921-1971) and were still paid 10 times less than male players. No wonder football was thought of as “a man’s game”.This revelation transformed her into an unlikely activist. She set about to change things, and bring women into the game at Lewes FC. First as a volunteer, then by becoming a director of the club. She was part of the team that made Lewes FC the world's first pro/semi-pro club to equally resource men and women, attracting owners from over 40 countries. By making female friendly adaptations to the match day experience, bringing in women’s chanting workshops, suffragette-style flash mobs, and launching the "Call Him Out" campaign, she proved football could combat toxic masculinity and empower women. "I saw these young women playing football... they were strong, taking up space, using their voice. This is the antidote to all this sexism," Karen explains in the episode and in her book Pitch Invasion, which offers a practical blueprint for challenging gender inequality in male-dominated spaces.If you’re interested in understanding the steps it takes to build a community, change attitudes and bring about change for a fairer world, this is the episode for you.Just a heads up: this episode contains occasional strong language.Links:Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dobres-07a54b176/Follow Karen on Instagram: @karendobresRead her bookFind out more about Lewes FC: www.lewesfc.comEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch the next episode, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity? Come along to the MOREVER Meetup – an informal space to share ideas and connect with other women doing creative work in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER – an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk
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About Leading Lights
Unfiltered conversations with women leading change in the charity and non-profit sector.Leading Lights shines a light on female leadership, amplifying the voices of the inspiring women making a difference through purpose-driven work.In each episode, we speak to non-profit CEOs about how they lead, what they’ve learned, and what keeps them going. Expect honest conversations, bold ideas and practical insights. It's the perfect listen for anyone passionate about the third sector, purpose-lead work or leadership.Brought to you by MOREVER – the creative agency for charities & changemakers
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