Leading in uncertainty...

Back in March 2020 most of us expected Covid to only last a few months - never did I imagine we would still be in a pandemic after 18 months... For someone who holds several positions of responsibility at work and at home, I don't even know how I managed to get through all my professional and personal challenges. Yet I am astonished by all that has happened in just 12 months.

Professional Challenges & Achievements

Inevitably Covid affected all of us; with some colleagues or family members testing positive, some struggling to work from home or office and still managing the wellbeing of all those we served including volunteers and beneficiaries, the entire Team played a strong role to get us through another tough year. Even when we were facing so many highs and lows, I couldn't help but notice the incredible ways we kept supporting and elevating each other. The service we continued to deliver was a true example of excellence. I know I am being biased when I say my Team do perform at the highest level, but that is no different to what I expect from myself. Many a times I realised how colleagues empowered me by slowing me down and taking increasing burdens/workloads off my shoulders. I can be my own worst enemy! I am fortunate for the psychological safety they provided for me to focus on my priorities. Upon reflection I can see how some of my colleagues actually taught me to pay more attention to 'my own self care' and as a result I am trying to make it a habitual practice. When the going got tough and we had no funding for our Seniors Project, it was our partner organisation Starlighters Community Theatre Group and our beneficiaries who kept us afloat with generous donations. I couldn't be more proud of every single person connected to our charity.

• Winning a ￡140k commission (￡140k per year over 3 years) to develop a borough wide Befriending Service in partnership with another local charity. It took several meetings and discussions before our charity took the lead in setting up a new Telephone Befriending Service to support those who were clinically extremely vulnerable with multiple health needs, which was desperately needed during the pandemic.
• Our charity managed to publish a 'Legacy of Kindness' and delivered a special online event in February 2021 to recognise and celebrate local heroes as well as launching the book.

• Completing business planning that involved reviewing and re-strategising of the charity's vision, mission, values and objectives. With the support of several stakeholders we developed a 5 year Strategic Plan.

• Winning a ￡170k grant from Trust for London to deliver a free independent housing advice service across the borough over 3 years, in partnership with Hackney Community Law Centre.
• Our charity introduced new youth provision in two locations in Chingford.
• Winning a grant of ￡89,300 from the violent Reduction Unit and Rocket Science to continue delivering much needed youth work that engages young people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
• Starlighters and the Secret Musical Society jointly put on a theatre production 'Lost in the 80s' - with 4 shows over 3 days, raising more than ￡2,000 for work with older residents.
• Successfully launching a brand new Housing Advice Service at the Community Hub and building important relationships with our partner organisation and other stakeholders.

• Receiving a Special Recognition award from the Faith & Belief Forum for the way we united the community through our 'Legacy of Kindness' book.
• A face to face AGM combined with an event to celebrate cultural diversity 'Inspiring Journeys' was successfully delivered on 13th November 2021.
• This year we managed to arrange a Xmas Lunch for 70 pensioners in December, with a group of young people volunteering as part of their social action to give back to the community.

• The best gift we could have received in the last month of 2021 was the fantastic news from Mercers Company who have approved a 3 year grant of ￡100k that will sustain our work with older people from 2022 to 2025.
• Having contributed towards some funder's reviews of their decision making and application processes, I have learnt that many funders are now prioritising funding for youth work following a real recognition and understanding that small charities are making the greatest difference at a grassroots level. In 2022 we will be looking to secure medium to long term funding for our youth work. As long as there will be a need, organisations like ours will be needed. It's the only way sustainability works.
• On 28th & 29th January 2022 we are expecting Starlighters to put on another fabulous pantomime 'Goody Two Shoes' that will entertain the local community and in particular older people living in sheltered accommodation within close vicinity of the Community Hub.

Personal Challenges & Achievements

2020 had been a really tough year for my family as I lost two brother-in-laws to cancer, one during the onset of Covid followed by another in August. I felt emotionally drained at times having previously been through the different stages of cancer, the treatment and the toll of such an illness on everybody it affects when my cousin died. The second death came as a shock. The family and many people whose lives my brother-in-law had touched were devastated and it was really difficult to come to terms with it. However, time does help us to heal from the pain of loss, especially when we reflect on the good memories left by those who leave us. When 2021 arrived we had already learnt to live with Covid. Then I developed an eye infection (I suspect from too much screen time) followed by a nasty toenail infection that affected my motivation levels resulting in reduced physical activity. I couldn't wear closed footwear over a period of 5 months, but I still walked in sandals, although not as often. It wasn't until November that I started wearing trainers again, whilst I continue to wait for my toenail to grow back!

Just like it takes a great team within an organisation to empower their CEO, it also takes a relentlessly strong Team at home to provide continuous steam to keep the engine going. When a woman feels content that she is playing her personal role well, only then does she develop the courage to drive the professional vehicle well. They say courage lies within us, but we also need reassurance and honest critique from those closest to us to help us grow and develop to our full potential. I have found that courage is never enough, if love and faith is missing. My courage comes from my loved ones and those who have faith in me.

Over the past year I was able to support 5 different organisations with business development, which I did not set out to do at the start of the year. In 2022 I plan to focus more on mentoring & coaching and developing a Leadership Programme for women.

Apart from those I have mentored and coached at work, I managed to mentor & coach an additional 10 professionals who were in senior leadership roles. I became a Mentor for London Youth's Rise Up Programme and a few other local organisations. My achievement went way beyond my expectations - I was only expecting to support a maximum of 5 people.

I started a fortnightly Live Show on LinkedIn to shine the spotlight on community leaders and even with very limited capacity I have so far managed to interview 16 people. Not long after I started Livestreaming I also launched my own YouTube Channel as I felt Livestreaming on YouTube would have a greater reach, which was the purpose behind my interviews. My channel currently has a reach of 2,000+ subscribers, with only 20 videos. In 2022 I intend to interview more youth practitioners to throw the spotlight on Youth Workers who are doing amazing jobs in making positive change within their communities.

I raised money for Care International by walking 'In her Shoes' whilst fasting for 7 days - that was a gruelling experience, a personal challenge I felt compelled to undertake following inspiration from a post on LinkedIn by Patience Ogunbona.

I was taken by complete surprise when I discovered I was a SHE Awards 2022 'Finalist' under the categories:

• Inspiring Role Model and
• Valiant Volunteer

I had no idea I had been nominated until I received an email informing me of being a SHE Awards 'Finalist'. It was overwhelming to know I had been nominated and humbling to know I'd been chosen as a Finalist. I'm excited about attending the award ceremony in March 2022 and networking with amazing women from across the country. Winning is not as important as the incredible honour I feel knowing people thought I was worthy of such recognition.

For someone who hated the spotlight (I prefer to give others the platform) I spoke at 18 different events and each time I spoke I felt a growing realisation that people want to hear 'Me' and my story. When I posted my story on LinkedIn it attracted almost 20,000 views and engagement from 338 people. At present I have 3,200+ Followers and only 2,174 Connections, but I am grateful to my active Connections. What many of us have in common is kindness and a similar mindset. As social animals we all need the reassurance of a support network that feels like a 'comfort blanket' and I am certainly seeing mine come together like a vibrant interwoven soft blanket that will protect me from negativity (so far I've had only one trolling incident) and continue to elevate me to higher levels. I believe the quality of my relationships are instrumental to my growth and development. As my purpose is to add value I have no doubt if I continue to offer value, my network will eventually materialise into an incredibly strong one.

In October I delivered a Masterclass and last month I joined a group of postgraduate students online and gave a short presentation. The students were from London Metropolitan University where I completed my Legal Practice Course 14 years ago. To fulfil my mission of developing the kind of leadership that is needed to unite and build communities in 2022, I will support the university's youthwork department with a view to empowering future youth leaders/practitioners. I will also continue to be a Mentor for the Rise Up Programme, which will be delivered by London Youth.

I have been posting content on LinkedIn consistently every day for the past 18 months. My intention was to have positive impact by adding value, sharing my thoughts and also learning from others. It has been an incredible journey so far and I am so excited about what the future holds. In one year I have gained more knowledge than the last 10 years. I have not only utilised various learning opportunities, but also invested in my own personal development through coaching. My post last week has had 49,400+ views with engagement from 1,314 people. I am grateful to all the wonderful connections I have made and am excited to see what collaborations develop in 2022. As the number of people following me gradually increases, every new follower is evidence that I am adding value in this world.

What ever your heart desires follow it! With Guler leading Kate and I, Ben Nevis, here we come!!!

?? Wishing you a wonderful end to 2021 ???

??And a great start to 2022! ??