Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast: What Is Your Why? – Charity Sector Stories

In this episode of Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast – What’s Your Why?, Dean Jones speaks with Simon Green, Chief Executive of YMCA Milton Keynes, about the raw personal experiences – a close friend's time in hostel accommodation over 20 years ago, and the devastating loss of someone dear who lived there and died from addiction – that drove him to dedicate a significant portion of his life to supporting young people and helping them to make a fresh start.Simon opens up on the brutal intertwining of poor mental health, addiction and isolation that traps young people, and how YMCA MK works alongside them to build new starts – the unvarnished stories of lives turned around, second chances seized, and the quiet dignity of giving someone the shot at life they deserve. It's a story laced with resilience and determination, but also the high stakes, relentless stress and profound rewards of leadership when the stakes couldn't be higher.Real talk for charity leaders, local decision-makers and funders who want to grasp what it truly takes to stand with young people on the brink.Listen on all major platforms – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube – or head to earlybirdphilanthropy.com/night-owl-podcast for more.Like, follow, subscribe. Share with one person who needs to hear this. One man's why, forged in grief, proves what's possible.

In this episode of the Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast – What’s Your Why?, I’m joined by Lorraine Lewis, Co‑Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation. Lorraine shares the story of how a deeply personal family experience led to the creation of a charity that now provides free gift packs to adult cancer patients across multiple hospitals. She talks about how those early days on the ward shaped the Foundation’s mission, how the charity has grown operationally, and some of the challenges along the way. We explore the importance of emotional care alongside clinical treatment, the crucial role volunteers and community supporters play, and why visibility and awareness really matter for patients who often feel forgotten. Lorraine also reflects on the recognition the Foundation has received and her hopes for the future – from enhancing patient care to influencing how society thinks about comfort, dignity and compassion in cancer treatment. If you find this conversation helpful or moving, please like, comment, and subscribe to the channel, and follow the Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast on your preferred platform. The podcast is available on all major streaming channels. If you’d like to share your own story or explore being a guest on a future episode, you can get in touch via: 👉 https://earlybirdphilanthropy.com

Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast: Jon Manning on building Arthur Ellis Mental Health FoundationDean Jones speaks with Jon Manning, founder/CEO of Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation, about turning lived experience of trauma and mental illness into accessible one‑to‑one support – no waiting lists, no thresholds.​From childhood abuse, four‑year NHS waits and a Priory breakthrough to starting a charity on 57p, they explore crisis leadership, team wellbeing and why mental health underpins so much else.​For charity leaders, mental health practitioners, funders and partners seeking grounded insights on innovation, safeguarding and lived‑experience ​Contents00:00 – Welcome 01:51 – Early experiences (“How did they shape your understanding?”) Childhood abuse, failed CAMHS​03:32 – Family history & name 06:35 – From surviving to helping (“What moved you?”) Empathy to fix systems.​08:54 – Turning point Priory diagnosis, traffic lights decision.​12:39 – Evolving ‘why’ Mass training to one‑to‑one.​13:38 – Covid surge Daily referrals, willingness to seek help.​16:22 – Arthur Ellis model (“How do you introduce it?”) Ages 8+, online/play therapy.​20:41 – Day one NatWest Accelerator, consultancy survival.​24:14 – Problem solved Patient experience, choice, waits.​26:32 – Barriers Credibility, free work.​28:23 – Make‑or‑break Sold furniture for £16k contract.​29:51 – Vision vs governance (“How do you balance?”) Trustees, DSL, team roles.​35:07 – Self‑care Therapy, exercise, boundaries.​38:26 – Team support Supervision, referral distancing.​43:24 – Impact stories Girl leaves home, boy wins student award.​53:45 – Career path Sales to charity.​1:02:57 – Myths “Burden” narrative, clinical framing.​1:08:24 – One change Healthy behaviours marketing.​1:13:05 – Good leadership People first, balanced sacrifice.​1:28:18 – Help needed Partnerships, events.​1:33:02 – Future 20k people/year, accessible service.​

Episode 0: What Is Your Why? – Introducing the PodcastIn this opening episode, host Dean Jones introduces the Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast and explains the vision behind the series.​This is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the real stories, motivations and resilience of charity leaders, fundraisers, philanthropists and changemakers across the social impact sector. Each episode will ask one central question: what is your why?​Dean shares who the podcast is for, what listeners can expect from future conversations, and why authentic, long-form dialogue matters in a sector often defined by its complexity and emotional weight.​If you're involved in charity, fundraising or philanthropy – or simply care about making a difference – this episode sets the tone for the honest, purposeful conversations to come.

SummaryIn this episode of the Night Owl Philanthropy podcast, Dean Jones speaks with Vicky Smith, the Executive Director of Income Generation at Acorns Children's Hospice.Vicky shares her personal journey into the charitable sector, driven by a desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. She discusses the unique challenges faced by children's hospices, the importance of community support, and the innovative strategies being employed to raise funds.Vicky emphasises the need for emotional resilience in fundraising and the critical role of retail operations in generating income for the charity.The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of various sectors and the importance of collaboration in achieving philanthropic goals. In this conversation, Vicky Smith discusses the challenges and rewards of leading a children's hospice, emphasising the importance of resilience, peer support, and effective leadership.She shares insights on the evolving landscape of hospice care, the necessity of collaboration, and the role of government in supporting these services.Vicky also highlights innovative strategies for fundraising and the significance of community engagement, while reflecting on her personal journey and the qualities that make a great fundraiser.The discussion concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future of Acorns and the essential role it plays in the community.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Philanthropy and Personal Motivation02:50 Career Journey and Transferable Skills05:51 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Career Choices08:35 Ambitious Campaigns in Higher Education11:25 The Role of Acorns Children's Hospice14:15 Understanding Children's Hospice Care17:02 Complexities of Care in Children's Hospices19:28 Personal Stories and Emotional Impact22:15 Funding Challenges in the Hospice Sector36:06 Behind the Scenes of Fundraising38:56 Rising Costs and Increasing Demand41:58 Emotional Burden of Fundraising43:58 The Role of Retail in Fundraising49:37 Managing Multiple Fundraising Streams52:18 Leadership in High-Stakes Environments58:11 The Future of the Charity Sector01:03:00 Government's Role in Funding Children's Hospices01:11:34 Innovative Income Generation Strategies for Hospices01:15: 44 Transforming Acorns: Vision for the Future01:20:22 Finding Hope in Hospice Care01:24:55 Qualities of a Great Fundraiser01:30:50 Navigating Leadership in the Charity Sector01:34:10 The Impact of Birmingham on Leadership Style01:35:38 Personal Insights and Unexpected Backgrounds

Welcome to What’s Your Why?, the NightOwl Philanthropy podcast hosted by Dean Jones. In this series, we explore the real stories behind charity leadership—the motivations, challenges, and human moments that shape the work of founders and changemakers. Expect insightful conversations that go beyond reports and targets to reveal why giving and doing good matters. Whether you’re a donor, sector professional, or simply interested in philanthropy, this podcast offers inspiration and understanding from those at the heart of change.