Pick of the Month – June 2023

We're back! Now, at 2023's halfway point, we've got another set of 'Picks' doing brilliant work across the charity sector – from social entrepreuners doing astounding work to make advances in sustainability to charity leaders helping Londoners access creative education. June's selection have diverse interests and make for an inspiring read. 

Sanaz Amidi, Rosetta Arts – Charity Leader of the Month

Rosetta Arts is an arts organisation based in East London. It offers creative courses, workshops, and experiences for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Their mission is to provide access to the transformative benefits of the arts and education, particularly for those who may have limited opportunities. It is dedicated to using the power of creativity to inspire, empower, and make a positive impact on individuals and communities. We spoke to Sanaz Amidi, the charity’s Chief Executive. 

Sanaz told us more about Rosetta Arts – and how they plan to celebrate its 30th birthday this year: 

"Rosetta Arts changes communities through creativity. From our visual arts learning centre and gallery in West Ham, as well as our outreach work locally and internationally we offer creative courses, projects, events and exhibitions to the diverse people of Newham and beyond, who otherwise have little access to the transformative benefits of the arts. Rosetta turns 30 this year and from its founding in 1993 by radical educator and artist, Yvonne Humble, Rosetta Arts has delivered creative learning to thousands of people to help them express their cultural identity. To celebrate this milestone, we’re running a year-long programme to showcase eclectic, diverse and creative events, activities, research and workshops anchored in their history within the borough of Newham."

Sanaz shared the core values that drive her work and shape her ambitions: 

"My ambition is to make sure that the work that we do – in opening people’s imaginations, making the arts accessible and creating space for people who may not want to work in the arts but who want to be  heard (especially those that you would not hear under “normal” circumstances) – ensures that those voices are heard. Essentially, my role focuses on shaping, empowering and leading excellent people and teams to do this.

I believe that our success stems from setting a clear vision and sharing a set of goals to which people can aspire and commit. I have learned that my values of passion, drive, integrity, courage and empathy are the tools with which I work with people to collectively implement and achieve transformational change."

She explored her journey to charity leadership, and emphasised the value of support networks, mentorship and ongoing learning:

"Growing up in East London from a first-generation migrant family who had ‘traditional’ careers, I had to rely on the guidance of others to understand where to take the next steps or to even know that I could take them. Mentors and coaches have played a big role in my development, and my advice would be to build a support structure around you and seek role models you aspire to, even if those people are not in your immediate circle – it is essential to your success!

I have benefited immensely from continued professional development, and it comes in all guises from attending seminars and conferences and meeting new people, to hearing diverse voices at a breadth of talks, to more structured programmes like an MBA from IESE Business School or sector specific training from Harvard Business School.

Take every opportunity that you can. Don’t let fear stand in your way. You might not know if you are going to enjoy the experience or not, but challenges can teach you that you are better than you think you are."

Looking ahead, Sanaz detailed some of Rosetta Arts’ upcoming projects for young people:

"We’re a specialist provider of programmes addressing barriers faced by young adults in London to enter work in the arts and we recognise that the learning journey has to start as early as possible. We have a whole bunch of opportunities for children and young people from our Saturday School to evening creative workshops to accredited courses, as well as specialist training programmes for young adults.

This summer we are launching our year-long Artist Accelerator programme. The scheme will award five local emerging artists who use participatory practices in the centre of their work, with access to networks, know-how, opportunities, a bursary, as well as a studio space and bespoke mentoring sessions with experienced professionals, all to help develop their socially engaged practices in their communities."

Keep up to date  with Rosetta Arts on Twitter @Rosettaarts.

Ellenor McIntosh, Twipes – Social Entrepreneur of the Month

Ellenor McIntosh is the co-founder and inventor of Twipes, the world’s first truly flushable and biodegradable wet wipes. Elle’s roots as a biochemical and materials scientist, and passion for the environment, led her to create sustainable materials technology that revamped the wet wipes industry. Twipes are now making moves globally, having just launched in the US this spring. The company aims to make eco-friendly personal care as accessible as possible, to help lessen the impact of detrimental plastic wet wipes.

Ellenor told us a bit more about her journey to establish the organisation: 

“The roots of Twipes started growing way back in our uni days - we were having brunch with a friend who started complaining about how often his toilet was getting clogged. He realised the so-called “flushable” wipes that he was buying were actually frauds, certainly not flushable and probably contributing to the massive fatbergs (huge masses of wipes and grease that clog sewers) that we kept hearing about in the news. We saw that there was a clear need for more sustainable options in the wet wipe industry, and I knew I could use my expertise in Material Science to create a solution. After 5 years in the lab, I created Twipes – the first truly flushable, rapidly dispersing wet wipes.”

She also told us about one of her favourite parts of the process:

“As the company has grown, I’ve made sure to set aside time for youth engagement in the communities we’re working in – giving talks at schools and universities about my own experiences. It’s great to connect with these aspiring entrepreneurs and scientists that are going to be shaking up the status quo in a few years with their own visionary ideas.”

Finally, Ellenor shared her advice for aspiring social entrepreneurs: 

“Recognise that no man or woman is an island, human beings need community to thrive. Use your network! Utilise every single person in your reach because you certainly can’t do it alone, no one can. You never know who might become the person you needed to find a solution to a problem, or who can connect you to the people you should be working with.”

Stay in the loop with the organisation via Twitter @TwipesUK.

Anna Bunney, Eva Reckitt Trust – Trustee of the Month

Anna Bunney is a Trustee of the Eva Reckitt Trust. Eva Reckitt inherited her money from the Reckitt & Colman family business and she was involved with setting up a left wing bookshop called Colletts, supported the British communist party and the Labour Research Department. Eva set up the Eva Reckitt Trust in 1949 with objectives to support poverty research and education as well as offering relief for those affected by war, political unrest, oppression, or persecution.

We asked Anna about her journey to becoming a trustee: 

“At some point Eva met my grandfather, an accountant who’d been a conscientious objector during the first world war and he became the manager of the Trust. I became Trustee as my father asked me to consider replacing him on the Eva Reckitt Trust. I decided to agree to be a trustee as I felt it was something I could do to help create a fairer world and as a Quaker I felt it was one way to practise faith in action. However, I was very conscious at the time about being related to previous trustees and also having enough income and time to be able to volunteer as a Trustee.”

Anna also shared her favourite part of the role:

“My favourite part of being a Trustee is hearing about the inspirational stories of the people involved with various charities that we’ve supported. I continue to be challenged in my learning about the role of Trustees and charities; the way our society is set up means that there is so much need and people seeking support from charities. As Trustees, we keep on questioning our practises and future – ideally we will not need to exist in the future as all the objects of our trust will have been achieved.”

Finally, Anna shared her advice for anyone thinking of becoming a trustee: 

“I’d advise them to ask questions, be curious, challenge and also to seek out support that works for you. There is lots of work to do to create an equitable charity sector!”