Pick of the Month - July 2025

Welcome to July'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 - Marine Gharibashvili, Happy Baby Community

Happy Baby Community is a charity supporting asylum-seeking pregnant women and new mothers who have fled violence, trafficking, or other traumatic experiences. It currently supports over 2,000 active mothers and more than 3,000 children across six face-to-face groups in London and Crawley. Most recently, the charity received the Board Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award at the Charity Governance Awards. 

Marine shared a little bit about her work and mission:   

“I’m the Leadership, Learning, Skills Development & Communications Manager at Happy Baby Community. Our holistic approach combines practical support - clothing, hospital bags, healthy food, perinatal care, doula support, and essentials - with English lessons, employment preparation, wellbeing activities (yoga, Zumba, beauty, or creative workshops), and safe community spaces where children can play and mothers can heal, grow, and build confidence.” 

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

“I began my journey as Head of Administration, later served as Chief Operating Officer, and now lead leadership and skills development. I manage the leadership programme, training for staff and key volunteers (many of whom are former clients), as well as employment pathways and information and education programmes.  I also oversee communications to amplify our impact. Central to our work is the value of lived experience and we are transitioning into a fully user-led charity, empowering the women we support to shape and run our organisation. 

One of our recent standout successes was receiving the Board Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award at the Charity Governance Awards. This award recognised our innovative Community Leaders’ Board - a fully supported, shadow trustee board composed of women with lived experience that operates alongside our trustees. The board combines the voices of our community with formal governance, providing training, mentorship, and real decision-making power. It is a true example of how leadership and authority can be shared meaningfully and we’re incredibly proud of how it brings lived experience into the heart of our organisation’s governance.   

What makes me most proud is seeing our mothers thrive, gaining confidence, developing new skills, and stepping into leadership roles themselves. Many arrive fearful and uncertain but, with the right support, they become empowered change-makers. These transformations are extraordinary to witness.” 

Marine shared some advice for aspiring leaders:  

“Believe deeply in your work, be kind to yourself and others, and stay open to learning from every person and experience. Lead with purpose, the impact you create may change lives, including your own. And always remember, when women feel safe and supported, incredible things happen. "

To hear more about the work at Happy Baby Community, visit their website. 

Social Entrepreneur of the Month – Emma Doney, Best Life

Best Life exists to improve the lives of adults after injury, diagnosis, or as they grow older, empowering them to stay independent and thrive in their own communities. It provides high-quality, person-centred support through its services: Best Life Companions, which offers one-to-one independence and wellbeing support, and Best Life Clubs, a vibrant community club focussed on social connection, movement, and joyful experiences. 

We asked Emma what led her to establish the organisation:  

Emma said she was driven to establish Best Life after losing her grandmother to Alzheimer’s. Her grandmother spent her final days in an understaffed care home, often found asleep in a circle of chairs with little stimulation or dignity. Emma knew there had to be a better way. With a background as a support worker and a Level 5 QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care, Emma’s career has spanned support for individuals with dementia, brain injuries, Parkinson’s, MS, and more, always focused on helping people maintain independence and connection in their own homes. 

Today, Emma leads Best Life with a mission to redefine care in the community, turning the tide on inadequate and impersonal support. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to live a full and dignified life, no matter their age or diagnosis. 

Emma shared some advice for aspiring leaders:   

“Stay human, stay grounded, and don’t shy away from reimagining the systems that aren’t working. If the mission matters, keep showing up for it."

Finally, Emma discussed what she’s passionate about seeing change in the sector:   

“In our sector, we’re passionate about seeing a shift away from institutional care and toward truly personalised, preventative support. The community should be the first and best option, not the last resort. At Best Life, our values - vibrancy, community, independence, and dignity - are more than words. They shape how we care, lead, and how we build a future where people aren’t just surviving, but living well, with joy, choice, and connection at every stage of life."

To hear more about the work at Best Life, visit their website. 

Trustee of the Month – John Toolan, Chair of Trustees at Heads Together Productions

Heads Together was originally created as a physical theatre company back in 1986 and in 1998 launched as a fully-fledged community arts company and not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Since then, Heads Together has expanded its work, creating Leeds FM in 2003 and, in 2014, saving the crumbling Seacroft Chapel to create Chapel FM Arts Centre; a new home for East Leeds Community Radio Station and the first-ever dedicated arts centre in East Leeds.

We spoke to John and asked him how he got to where he is today and what his role involves:  

“I have been a Trustee at Heads Together Productions now for around 5 years and for the past 18 months have served as Chair. Heads Together Productions incorporates East Leeds Community Radio, ChapelFM Arts Centre and UNION: The Northern School for Creativity and Activism. We are currently based in a converted Methodist chapel in Seacroft, East Leeds.  

I first became involved in community radio at Headstogether some 10 years ago when our eldest daughter played in the house band at ChapelFM Arts Centre. As I was planning early retirement from the NHS, I saw it as a great opportunity get me out of my comfort zone and become involved in the arts and creative sector. 

I began producing a regular radio programme “Jazz Goes to Leeds” which transformed over the years into a more experimental programme called “Left of Leeds”. I have also been involved in hosting live events under the experimental music “Left of Leeds” banner and more recently began to make music in my own right under the name “The Hapless Child”. I joined as a Trustee as I felt that, as someone with no background in the arts, I was inquisitive enough to have something valuable to offer. It also gave me a most fulfilling avenue to explore my creative side as I headed into retirement! Becoming the chair has now allowed me to take a step further and help guide our organisation through its varying missions."

John shared some pieces of advice for prospective leaders:  

“My advice to prospective Trustees is to not let “imposter syndrome” put you off considering trusteeship. We all have skills in various areas which are surprisingly transferrable and, from my experience, taking hold of these new opportunities has introduced me to some intriguing, artistic individuals. Imposter syndrome can also be put to good use as it can keep you asking questions, listening, and bringing a fresh perspective. 

To hear more about the work at Headstogether Productions, visit their website.