Pick of the Month - April 2025

Welcome to April’s Pick of the Month! We’re excited to feature individuals who are making a real impact in the charity world. From creative social innovators to tireless charity leaders, their work is all about driving change and improving lives. We’ll take a closer look at their unique paths, the challenges they’ve navigated, and the incredible contributions they’re making to communities across the UK. Come join us in celebrating their inspiring efforts! 

Charity Leader of the Month – Paul Silvester – Foresight 

Foresight is committed to meeting the needs and requirements of disabled individuals and their families and carers in North and North East Lincolnshire. We spoke to the CEO, Paul Silvester, about his journey and experience with the organisation, as well as his advice for prospective leaders and his hopes for the future of the sector.   

We asked Paul to share a little about the work and mission of the organisation:  

“Foresight is a local charity working to enhance lifestyles and improve overall quality of life for people with a disability (adults, young people and children) . We strive to provide our beneficiaries with a brighter future and a full and enjoyable life. Our work raises aspirations through empowerment and support, promoting independenceand offering access to choices and opportunities integral to their everyday lives. At all times we promote ability not disability, remove barriers to access and participation and combati the extensive social isolation and substantial disadvantage which is facing our community.”   

 

Paul explained how he got to where he is today and some of what his role involves:  

“Twenty-three years ago I was the first person employed by Foresight and, since then, I have grown the organisation to become one of the largest local charities in the area and the leading provider of services and support to the local disabled community. The charity now employs 28 staff with an annual turnover of more than £1.5 million and has a substantial asset base, including housing, which generates significant unrestricted income and ensures the charity is not grant dependent. As CEO, my role involves line management of all senior staff who handle the day to day running of the charity, building partnerships and networks, accessing funding and investment, and fulfilling opportunities to drive further strategic growth for the charity.”    

 

We asked Paul to share some advice for prospective leaders:   

“Central to the success and growth of Foresight has been the user led ethos that underpins all the services and work we undertake and deliver. For prospective leaders I believe it is essential to listen to and consult with the people who will access and benefit from the work you plan to undertake and always involve them in the design and development of the service. Where possible, champion the beneficiary voice, ensure they have representation and involvement in governance and strategy, and embed the user led approach across the whole organisation.”  

 

Finally, Paul explained what change he’s most passionate about seeing in the sector:  

“One area that has always frustrated me as a charity leader is the failure of both central and local government to recognise and reward the excellent work and life changing impact that is delivered by local and smaller charities, many of which are volunteer led or are run by a small number of employees. Many smaller charities are struggling and feel undervalued and I believe it is essential that they are given greater thought and understanding, with funding made available to sustain the marvellous work that is being delivered.”   

 

To keep up to date with the work of Foresight, check out the website.

 

Social Entrepreneur of the Month – Joe Seddon - Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity connects untapped talent in low-opportunity areas to a world of opportunities through mentoring, masterclasses, internships, scholarships and personalised career opportunities. Members get free access to a digital community of over 15,000 students and double their chances of securing top university offers and career paths. We spoke to Joe Seddon, founder and CEO of Zero Gravity, about his journey to where he is now and the incredible work of his organisation.  

Joe shared what led him to establish Zero Gravity: 

“Zero Gravity is rooted in my lived experience. Growing up in a single-parent household in Morley, West Yorkshire and attending state schools, I saw how opportunity isn’t evenly distributed. My path to Oxford was tough, but it opened my eyes to the stark inequalities in access to elite education and careers. At Oxford, I realised that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t—and that’s what drove me to bridge the gap. Zero Gravity is my way of levelling the playing field and proving that potential shouldn’t be limited by postcode.”  

 

We asked Joe what the biggest challenge he faced while setting up his organisation was: 

“Launching Zero Gravity with the last £200 of my student loan was both exhilarating and terrifying. As a socially mobile young person myself, I was still battling against many of the same barriers as the people I was supporting when it came to starting a business: lack of network, mentors, inside track, financial security, etc. On top of that, I had to build the platform from scratch and figure out how to scale it with next to no resources, I didn't have the bank of Mum & Dad. But grit, determination, and staying grounded in the mission made it happen.”  

 

Joe explained his favourite part of the process so far:

“Watching lives change. Seeing students go from feeling like they don’t belong to smashing it at top universities—and then landing incredible careers—is unmatched. It’s about more than just individuals; it’s the ripple effect, the hope and ambition that spreads to their families and communities. That’s the real reward.”  

 

Finally, Joe shared his advice for others starting out as social entrepreneurs: 

“Start with a problem that truly matters to you. When your mission is personal, the grit to face setbacks comes naturally. Be scrappy—use what you have and don’t wait for perfect conditions. A laptop and a clear idea can be all it takes to get started. Finally, stay grounded in your purpose and iterate as you go. Change is built step by step, not overnight.”  

To follow the work of Zero Gravity, visit the website. 

 

Fellow of the Month – Liam Smyth - UK National Commission for UNESCO

The UK National Commission for UNESCO is a constitutional part of the UK’s membership of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Established in the aftermath of two world wars, Prime Minister Clement Atlee set out the founding principle of UNESCO in 1945: 'since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed'. The UK National Commission serves as the central hub for UNESCO-related matters in the UK, supporting the UK Government, society, and UNESCO itself to maximise the impact of its mission and programmes. We spoke to Liam Smyth, Programme Lead, and one of our senior fundraising fellows, to discuss his work and hopes for the sector.   

Last year, we spoke with Liam and asked him to share some insights about his current role and the work being done at The UK National Commission for UNESCO:  

"The UK is one of 194 member states of UNESCO, the only UN agency specialising in culture. In my role at UNESCO in the UK, I manage a National Lottery Heritage Fund project, 'Local to Global', which aims to build a more resilient network of UNESCO-designated sites in the UK. Our network of 60 Biosphere Reserves, Creative Cities, Global Geoparks and World Heritage Sites cover approximately 14% of the country's landmass and are home to around 10 million people. From expansive mountain ranges and stunning coastlines to vibrant cities and rural landscapes, the UK’s UNESCO sites are places of world-class natural and cultural heritage, incredible biodiversity and spectacular geology.”  

 

Liam highlighted some of the key opportunities for UNESCO, considering the current context in the UK:  

“The UK’s culture and creative industries are world-class. The UK Government makes an annual contribution to UNESCO's regular budget (£10,488,110 in 2025), with voluntary contributions on top of this. This plays a significant role in our soft power relations. However, UNESCO status remains an extremely undervalued asset within the UK’s national cultural portfolio. DCMS data suggests that only 10% of adults in England believe they have visited a UNESCO site in the past 12 months. There are national audience development opportunities here – building on the success of recent awareness raising campaigns led by the UK National Commission for UNESCO”.   

 

Liam shared what he was most excited about in joining the fellows programme:  

“For the year ahead, I am looking forward to taking the opportunity to reflect on my career to date, embrace new environments and perspectives, build empathy and understanding with my peers, and ultimately realise new networks and growth opportunities. I also can't wait to return to post-graduate studying.”  

 

Finally, he discussed the changes he’s passionate about seeing in the sector:  

“I am passionate about redressing longstanding socioeconomic inequalities in the cultural sector. The UK appears poised to change how local governance works and this could lead to increasingly devolved decision-making and local power sharing. I want to ensure that the cultural sector is best placed to take advantage of the changes this could bring.”  

 

To follow the work of The UK National Commission for UNESCO, visit the website.   

 

Trustee of the Month – James McKellar - The Offshoot Foundation

The Offshoot Foundation helps young and disadvantaged people learn filmmaking and essential life skills in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and London. We spoke to James McKellar, the Chairman and Marketing Trustee, about the organisation and his experience on the board.   

James shared his passion for The Offshoot Foundation, and how he has supported the organisation’s growth: 

“It’s a great privilege to work alongside a fantastic board of trustees, the CEO, and workshop facilitators at The Offshoot Foundation. Our mission is to support young people under twenty-five in advancing in life through education and training, particularly those who are disadvantaged due to their economic and/or social circumstances.  I’m proud that, as trustees, we come together to help the charity grow, making a direct impact on the number of young people we can support. Last year, we ran 239 workshops, directly benefiting over 3,000 young people—our best year to date.”  

 

We asked his James what drives him in the organisation:  

“It fills me with pride when I attend workshops and see young people actively engaging in filmmaking and animation, forming lifelong friendships, and developing essential soft skills and education. It’s not school, it’s not home—it’s a safe space where young people can come together to create films and enjoy a positive, supportive environment.”  

 

James explained a little about the work of the board and how it operates:   

“Being a trustee has been incredibly rewarding. Working on a board and helping shape the charity’s strategy and direction is incredibly important. As a board, we must collaborate as a team, navigate challenges, and continuously push forward to foster growth and make a positive impact on more people.”  

 

James recently attended one of our Trustee Leadership Programmes and was eager to share his experience and encourage others to start their trustee journey:   

“Recently, I attended an online charity leadership course with Cause4, which I highly recommend. It provided an opportunity to meet individuals from other charities and gain deeper insights into how charities function and operate. The sessions were full of valuable takeaways and significantly enhanced my understanding of the sector.  For me, being a trustee offers the chance to make a real difference. With the right attitude and a positive mindset, it can be an incredibly fulfilling experience.”  

For more information about The Offshoot Foundation, visit the website.