We need real leaders who understand real people.

New episode out now: https://youtu.be/MF-9HrBI43c.

In this episode of the School of Social Justice video podcast, I have a conversation with Sarah Smith, a politician from Blackpool, England. Before becoming a politician, Sarah dedicated her life towards supporting marginalised young people in some of the UK’s poorest boroughs. She has fundraised for charities that provide youth services that help people get into work, improve their education, and increase their chances of doing well in life.

Sarah argues that politics is a means of achieving change at scale, and believes the Government has the levers to shape people’s lives for the better, nationwide. Her core belief is that every young person, no matter their background, should have a fair shot at succeeding.

Sarah has been a friend for years. A decade ago, I met her through a leadership programme for young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, and have remained connected ever since.

Through the years, Sarah has taught me the power of commitment. She has remained committed to fighting for what she believes in. She has also taught me the power of being authentic: She understands the privilege she has, and openly talks about it in a way that is both refreshing and necessary. We need honest conversation for progress to be made.

After starting her career in the corporate world, then moving to the charity sector, she has just embarked on her journey as a politician. There are many lessons we can learn from each sector and profession and industry. Her interview shows the importance of cross-sector action on the most intractable problems society faces.

Sarah’s work in fundraising shows the importance of money. Organisations need money to function. Without funding, how can a charitable organisation pay its staff? Pay for a place to work? Pay for legal and accounting fees? Pay for equipment? Pay for everything an organisation needs to do the work they do? Charitable organisations need funds to address racism and sexism, poverty and inequality, health inequities, environmental damage and human rights abuses.

Without money, change is impossible.

Highlights:
- Much of our political class and power holders are too far removed from the people they claim to represent.
- Did you know that the strongest indicator of a person’s life outcomes is the postcode in which they are born? People who are from the richest neighbourhoods in the UK live two decades longer than those from the poorest neighbourhoods!
- In choosing what to dedicate your life’s work to, consider the following question: For me, what is a life well lived?

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The fifth episode of the School of Social Justice video podcast is out now on YouTube and Spotify.

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Hope you enjoy the conversation, and learn as much as I did. And I hope that you are able to use the lessons to go on and change the world.

Alvin
Founding Director
schoolofsocialjustice.com