Pick of the Month - February 2025

Welcome to February’s Pick of the Month! This month, we’re shining a light on inspiring individuals who are making a real difference in their communities. Explore their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Charity Leader of the Month – Annie Belasco, PANDAS Foundation

Annie Belasco is the CEO of PANDAS Foundation, the UK’s leading charity supporting parents and carers with perinatal mental health. We spoke to Annie about her personal journey, the foundation’s mission, and her insights on leadership and the evolving charity sector.  

Annie explained the vital role PANDAS plays in providing mental health support for parents and carers:

“PANDAS Foundation is the UK’s leading perinatal mental health charity, supporting parents, carers, and networks through eight free services, including helplines, online communities, and face-to-face groups. Our mission is to offer early intervention for anyone struggling with their mental health during the parenting journey.” 

 

Annie shared her personal connection to PANDAS and the path that led her to becoming CEO:

“I discovered PANDAS while struggling with prenatal anxiety during a difficult pregnancy, compounded by Hyperemesis Gravidarum. The support I found through PANDAS’ helpline was life-changing - I felt heard and understood for the first time. I started as a volunteer, then moved into part-time work, and eventually took on a full-time role before becoming CEO. My role now involves overseeing business development to ensure sustainable income and managing service delivery to provide the best possible support. We've grown significantly, expanding our team and securing funding to improve the services we offer.”

 

Reflecting on leadership, Annie offered her advice to those aspiring to step into senior roles within the charity sector:

“A good leader listens to their team, values lived experiences, and avoids hierarchy. Understanding your audience is key, and a clear vision helps your team feel empowered rather than micromanaged. Focus on long-term strategic thinking while prioritising the well-being of your team - they are your greatest asset. Foster a culture of trust and open feedback to ensure high retention and engagement.” 

 

Finally, Annie shared the changes she’d like to see in the charity sector: 

“The charity sector often faces financial pressure, with traditional donation models no longer sustainable. Charities should be recognised as vital lifelines, not just ‘warm and cuddly’ entities. I’d like to see more free opportunities for charities to reach their audiences - through media, the NHS, and private sector partnerships - without increasing financial strain on organisations that are dedicated to crucial causes.”

 

Find out more about PANDAS Foundation here. 

 

Social Entrepreneur of the Month – Ruth South, Communities Against Racism Enterprise (CARE)

Ruth South is the CEO and Founder of Communities Against Racism Enterprise (CARE), a non-profit dedicated to addressing racial trauma and fostering reconciliation. We spoke to Ruth about her inspiration for founding CARE, the challenges of tackling racial trauma, and the impact of her work.

Ruth shared the moment that sparked the idea for CARE:  

"I was at a George Floyd march in my hometown. The march had ended, and all I could hear from attendees was, ‘What’s next?’ As a psychologist, I realised that people’s experiences of racial trauma had surfaced in their conscious awareness, but they had nowhere to channel those emotions. I saw the interconnectedness of victims and perpetrators - both needed to be involved in the healing process. This became the foundation of CARE: the ‘Reparation of the Mind’, breaking cycles of harm, fostering accountability, and building bridges for reconciliation and genuine allyship."

 

Despite CARE’s important mission, Ruth highlighted some of the key challenges in addressing racial trauma:

“One major challenge was how to approach such a complex issue while being culturally sensitive to the diverse experiences of Black, mixed-race, POC, and white individuals. Building trust - especially in communities that have suffered historical neglect and harm - takes time and effort. Another major hurdle is funding. Many funders still struggle to recognise the importance of addressing racial trauma, which limits the support available. As a non-profit, we constantly compete for limited grants and often rely on donations out of pocket."

 

For Ruth, the most rewarding part of founding CARE has been witnessing its transformative impact:

"Setting up CARE has changed so many lives. It’s empowering to see people begin their journey of healing from racial trauma, regain confidence, and reclaim a sense of self. It’s also incredibly fulfilling to witness perpetrators acknowledge the harm they’ve caused, take accountability, and commit to change. Watching communities come together, support one another, and advocate for systemic change makes all the hard work worthwhile."

 

Finally, Ruth offered her advice to aspiring social entrepreneurs:

"Truly understand the communities you’re serving - listen to them, amplify their voices, and empower them. Define a clear mission and vision with long-term goals. Build a strong team, collaborate rather than compete, and stay humble. Focus on the community, not personal accolades. Connect with other social entrepreneurs for support, guidance, and partnership opportunities."

To learn more about Communities Against Racism Enterprise, click here.

 

Fellow of the Month – Cat Moore, The Stables

Cat is the Executive Director at The Stables, a world-class venue renowned for its diverse music and arts events, broad learning and participation programme, and large-scale outdoor projects including the acclaimed IF: Milton Keynes International Festival. Before her current role, Cat was the Executive Producer at New International Encounter, a European touring theatre company specialising in making work for and with young audiences. Cat has also worked at Cambridge Junction, Harrogate Theatre, and ABL Cultural Consultancy.

When we spoke to Cat she shared some exciting upcoming events at The Stables:

“I’m currently rolling out new membership levels for our Friends scheme at the venue and expanding year-round corporate partnership opportunities. I’m also promoting opportunities for individual philanthropists and businesses to support IF: Milton Keynes International Festival. This is an amazing 10-day Festival taking place across the city centre this summer.  Whilst the Festival and venue have different value propositions, they both offer compelling benefits for individuals, businesses and communities working together”.   

 

Cat explained some of the current opportunities for The Stables in the current UK landscape:

“With the Chancellor’s recent announcement on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, Milton Keynes is ideally positioned to support this growth and The Stables can play a key role in serving as a cultural beacon, artistic hub (supporting a wider arts ecosystem in the city), and key contributor to a thriving, connected place for new and developing communities.”

 

We asked Cat what she was most looking excited about as part of the Fellowship programme: 

“Gaining insight, knowledge and stimulus from the course leaders, peer support in talking through shared challenges and finding out other people’s approaches/ solutions, as well as dedicated time to interrogate what I do and the best ways to make fundraising efforts more successful. I am keen to take on the challenge of deeper study and academic essays and get to know a cohort of Fellows. I am most looking forward to the residential periods that give focus and time for reflection.” 

 

Finally, Cat shared what she’s most passionate about changing in the sector: 

“Creating the conditions that enable financial resilience in the sector and support freelancers creating and developing high quality art to reach as many people as possible.” 

 

Keep up to date with The Stables on Instagram by following @StablesMK  @ifmkfest

 

Trustee of the Month – Rob Lloyd, UK Men’s Sheds Association

The UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) provides spaces where people can practice skills, enjoy making and mending, and pursue practical interests. Created to support grassroots community activities, Men’s Sheds also promote physical activity and improve wellbeing by offering a social, welcoming environment. Rob Lloyd, Chair of UKMSA, shared his journey into trusteeship and the impact of Men’s Sheds across the UK.

Rob reflected on what led him to become Chair of UKMSA: 

"In 2016, I had a major mental health episode. I was off work for 14 months, and without the right support, I wouldn’t be here today. I returned to my role as a senior civil servant for a couple of years, but it no longer held the same appeal, so I left to set up my own consultancy in leadership and EDI, balancing my time with volunteering. I loved being involved at a grassroots level, particularly in youth mentoring, but I also wanted to use my board-level experience for good. I started looking for trustee roles and, the very next day, I saw an advert for UKMSA. I applied, and I haven’t looked back. In February 2023, I was appointed as Chair."

Rob described the impact of UKMSA and why Men’s Sheds are so valuable to local communities:

"Men’s Sheds are amazing spaces where people come together to connect, converse, and create in a safe, non-judgemental environment. Whether a Shed focuses on woodwork, metalwork, music, or model railways, the most important tool is the kettle. People join Sheds for all sorts of reasons, but the health outcomes are astonishing - reducing loneliness, restoring purpose, and even preventing suicide. And every one of the 1,000 open Sheds in the UK gives back to their local community in some way."

However, Rob also highlighted some of the challenges UKMSA is working to address:

"Most Sheds are self-run, and one of the biggest challenges for new Sheds is finding a suitable property. We’re using our (really compelling) data on the positive impact of Sheds to raise awareness with national and local government, as well as with organisations that manage property and open spaces, to help make it easier for new Sheds to get started."

 

When asked whether he would recommend trusteeship to others considering a board role, Rob was enthusiastic:

"I love my trustee roles - I’m also on the board of Oakleaf, a mental health charity in Surrey. There are challenges, especially right now as UKMSA is temporarily without a CEO, but I get to work with amazing people. The satisfaction of being able to support these wonderful charities is a huge reward."

 

Keep up to date with The UK Men’s Sheds Association by following @ukmenssheds on Instagram.