Pick of the Month - May 2025

Welcome to May'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 – Sarah Carr, Naturewatch Foundation

Naturewatch Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded in 1991 by John Ruane, with a mission to end animal cruelty and improve animal welfare standards worldwide. Known for launching World Animal Day in 2003 and publishing the long-running Compassionate Shopping Guide, the charity campaigns against issues such as puppy farming, animal testing, and wildlife crime, while working with the public, policymakers, and law enforcement to create lasting change. We spoke to Sarah Carr, CEO, about her career so far, her role, and her passion for the animal welfare sector. 

Sarah shared with us a little bit about her work mission:  

“I’m the CEO of the animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation. We operate across the UK and Eastern Europe, with a global influence through international campaigns. Our mission is to make the world a better place for animals. We engage in peaceful campaigns against animal abuse, lobby for stronger animal protection laws, and raise awareness through educational and training initiatives. Our particular focus is illegal pet breeding, wildlife crime, animal experiments, the link between animal and domestic abuse and our coordination of World Animal Day each year!” 

We asked Sarah how she got to where she is today and what her role involves: 

“I’m a very positive person and I’m driven by a passion to make the world a better place for all living things. My career has fluctuated as I’ve worked flexibly to have two children and get involved in local campaigning. I’ve been at Naturewatch Foundation for six years, where I’ve recruited an informed staff team, working together in a supportive and compassionate culture. Prior to working in animal welfare, I enjoyed working in sustainability and renewable energy and I worked in the social housing sector advocating for people, communities and social housing organisations.  I’ve also spent 8 years working in the technology sector. I’ve never be afraid to learn new skills!  I have a strongly held belief that the individual can make a difference including in their career. I studied Politics at University and started my career volunteering and working in political campaigning and in Parliament as a political researcher.” 

Sarah shared some advice for aspiring leaders: 

“Never give up – be the change that you want to see.” 

Finally, Sarah told us what she’s passionate about seeing change in her sector:

“I’m proud to be a change maker and not accept the status quo. One of the most frustrating policy areas in animal welfare is the use of animals in scientific experiments.  From ancient Greece, through Victorian Britain to the era of genetic research, millions and millions of animals have been used in experiments including in the UK today! The Naturewatch Foundation team are campaigning hard for a policy change to invest in human-based science. With millions of pounds of UK public money going into the life sciences sector, we’ve been urging the government to support and fund modern non-animal ethical research methods and for industry to play its part, too.”  

To hear more about the work of Nature Watch, visit the website.  

Social Entrepreneur of the Month – Lucy Ferguson - Mediorite

Mediorite is a social enterprise video production company based in London and Leeds. It creates authentic, memorable content for charity and corporate clients, while training diverse young people for sustainable careers in the creative industries. Mediorite’s award-winning impact and wide-ranging portfolio reflect its commitment to representation and excellence. We spoke to the founder and director, Lucy Ferguson MBE, about her journey, and the challenges and joys of running a social enterprise.    

We spoke to Lucy about her journey to starting Mediorite and how the enterprise began:  

“I was working for a large media owner and wanted to tackle the lack of diversity. I came from a creative background and had done a lot of volunteering with teenagers so I felt I could start a creative business that sold services and trained young people to work in the sector. Being a social enterprise made sense because it felt like the best of both worlds and I liked the idea of being self-sufficient but also mission driven.”   

We asked Lucy what the biggest challenge was when setting up the organisation:   

“The biggest challenge was that I'd never run a business before, I'd been employed by a global corporate with a stationary cupboard and an IT team...and I had no training as a teacher, only informal experience as a volunteer. This meant a fast track in tax liability, business structures and forecasting as well as sharpening skills to get the attention of teenagers as the priority rather than delivering your PowerPoint presentation with key learning outcomes!”  

Lucy shared her favourite part of the process so far:  

“A young person who was on one of our first ever programmes is now on our board and has bought us in to work in his College! The fact that he has become a teacher after a career as a photographer and has the passion and will to come back and help guide us as a business feels like a full circle moment.”   

Finally, we asked Lucy what advice she would give to aspiring social entrepreneurs:  

“Don't read too many inspirational articles from founders! Everyone's journey is different, and people don't talk about the failures so remember that when things don't go to plan and just keep being curious and keep learning.”  

To hear more about Mediorite, follow @mediorite on Instagram.

Fellow of the Month – Zoe Hull - Family Fund

Zoe is an experienced fundraiser who has spent over 18 years in the UK charity sector working in arts, culture, environment, and health for Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer's Society, Teenage Cancer Trust, Durham Wildlife Trust, and Northern Stage and is currently Head of Fundraising at Family Fund. She is also associate consultant for Evenly Distributed which provides Strategic support for journalists and nonprofit leaders who want to change things.  

Last year, we spoke with Zoe and asked her to share some insights about her current role:  

“I have been in a fundraising role for 18 years. Since graduating university I have worked in the charity sector locally, regionally and nationally. I have held three senior management roles, currently as Head of Fundraising at Family Fund. I took lots from my time as a fundraiser in the Arts – the challenge of re-framing work for different funders so that it fits differing strategic priorities. For those of us who work in the arts we know the incredible impact it can have on a holistic range of wellbeing and health outcomes. I learnt how to use the arts to build passionate and engaged donor relationships and work with partners in that strategic space, looking at how we can use the arts to improve societal outcomes as well as creating beautiful art that can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.  

Zoe highlighted some of the key opportunities for Family Fund, considering the current context in the UK:  

“I think the most significant opportunity (where there is the most money being invested in the region at the moment) is the combined authority, especially around skills and employability goals and if we can learn to tender for statutory funding or be part of consortiums that are tendering like the NYT and the local Citizens Advice. We have a great skills offer – in the North East at the moment this is a huge area of focus – I integrated myself into the Local Skills Improvement Partnership discussions that specifically mention confidence and communications skills and technical skills for film (as Netflix have just invested heavily in the region with new film studios) – the election of our new combined authority mayor recently has been instrumental in this and being a part of all the conversations with all candidates, councils and key players like the chamber of commerce has been really important to getting a seat at the table.”   

Zoe shared what she was most excited about in joining the fellows programme:  

“Looking forward to meeting all the other Fellows and getting stuck in to learning some new skills that will challenge me.”  

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

“I think the Arts can be quite tunnel vision. The Art IS important, but if fundraisers can keep doing the work to lead with platforming holistic benefits that Art has for everyone that will enable Art to prevail and become more representative and appeal to more people.”  

To follow the work of Family Fund, follow @family_fund on Instagram.

Trustee of the Month – Antony Lorman - Crohn's & Colitis UK

Crohn’s & Colitis UK is the leading charity for everyone affected by Crohn’s Disease and Ucerative Colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Since 1979, it has been working to improve lives and drive change, through support, research, campaigning and raising awareness. We spoke to trustee Antony Lormon about his journey to, and experience on the board.  

We asked Antony what motivated him to become a trustee at Crohn’s & Colitis UK:  

“My journey to becoming a trustee at Crohn’s & Colitis UK was driven by both professional purpose and personal passion. As someone who has experienced the life-altering impact of Crohn’s Disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), I was drawn to the charity’s mission to improve lives and find a cure. I wanted to contribute not just as a supporter, but as a strategic leader — helping to shape a future where those affected by Crohn’s and Colitis have better care, greater understanding, and real hope.”  

Antony shared how his professional background has helped in his role as trustee:  

“With over 25 years’ experience as a business leader in the consumer goods industry, I’ve spent much of my career in commercial functions — driving growth, building teams, and leading through complexity. Joining the board of Crohn’s & Colitis UK offered a meaningful way to apply that experience to a cause close to my heart. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support an organisation where good governance, ambition, and compassion come together to make a lasting impact.”  

We asked Antony what he finds the most rewarding part of being a trustee:  

“What inspires me most is the charity’s unwavering commitment to driving change. From pioneering research and tireless advocacy to empowering patient voices, Crohn’s & Colitis UK is a bold, values-led organisation. The people behind it — the staff, volunteers, fellow trustees, and especially the IBD community — constantly remind me of the power of purpose. It’s a privilege to serve on a board that puts lived experience at the heart of everything it does.  

My favourite part of being a trustee is seeing impact come to life — whether that’s a new campaign shifting public perceptions, or hearing from individuals whose lives have been improved because of our work. It’s also incredibly rewarding to bring my professional experience into a new space, learning from others while helping shape strategy and direction.”  

Finally, Antony shared his advice for anyone else considering becoming a trustee:   

“To anyone considering becoming a trustee: do it. Be curious. Be open. Be ready to learn as much as you give. The opportunity to help steer an organisation you believe in is one of the most fulfilling and impactful ways to use your skills.  

Together, we can create lasting change — and that’s a legacy worth building.”  

To follow the work of Crohns & Colitis UK, follow @crohnsandcolitisuk on Instagram.