At Work With...Sophie Livingstone | CEO of Little Village

Ana: Sophie, can you start by telling us a bit about yourself - where are you from, what do you do, and one peculiar fact about you?

Sophie: I'm originally from South Wales, but I've lived in London my whole adult life, so I consider myself a Londoner now. My role is quite varied - as the CEO of the charity Little Village, I split my time between working from home, meeting with our teams across our hubs, and connecting with other charities and organizations. One quirky fact about me is that I recently joined a samba drumming group, which has been an incredibly cathartic and challenging new hobby!

Ana: That's fascinating! And can you tell me more about the Baby Bank Alliance you chair? What is its purpose and impact?

Sophie: The Baby Bank Alliance is an umbrella organization that brings together over 300 baby banks across the UK. Our goal is to provide a platform for local baby banks to share best practice, raise their collective profile, and access funding they wouldn't be able to secure individually. A great example is our partnership with IKEA - as the Alliance, we were able to unlock a conversation with them that led to an amazing cause related marketing campaign in aid of baby banks. 75% of the pre-loved cots and highchairs we pass on to families are from IKEA so it feels fantastic to have made that connection with them. Beyond that practical support, the Alliance also allows us to be a stronger collective voice advocating for change to address the circumstances that lead families to need baby banks in the first place.

?Ana: That's really impressive. It sounds like such valuable work.?

?So how do you motivate yourself day-to-day in a role that can be emotionally taxing? What keeps you going?

Sophie: Right now, what motivates me is the sense that this work feels like one of the few positive things we can do in a world that feels increasingly scary. Of course, there are tough days where I’m tired or have to have difficult conversations. But the support and connection I get from our amazing team, and the tangible difference we make for families, make it all worthwhile. Knowing that our approach of leading with love and solidarity is a small counterpoint to darker forces really fuels me.

Ana: That makes a lot of sense. And what do you see as the most important leadership attribute in the current climate, especially in the non-profit sector?

Sophie: I think a combination of resilience and authentic emotional intelligence is crucial. These times are tough, and leaders need to be able to weather the storms. But it's also about being vulnerable, showing your humanity, and really connecting with the people you work with. You can't fake that - people will see through it. Blending that resilience with a willingness to be open about challenges is, I believe, what allows leaders to truly inspire and foster the kind of culture needed to thrive.

Ana: That's really insightful. And on a more personal note, as a working parent of two, how do you manage the juggle of it all?

Sophie: Oh, the juggle is real! The fact that Little Village only operates in London helps, as I don't have to factor in UK wide travel. But it's still a constant dance of planning, prioritizing, and embracing flexibility, both at work and at home. I've learned to be very open about family commitments - my team and I all know that our kids (or other family/caring responsibilities) come first. And my husband, who also works in the charity sector, and I try to tag-team as much as possible. It really does take a village, both professionally and personally. The seasons and stages of parenting bring different challenges, so it's about constantly adapting. But the support of others and knowing that authenticity is valued, makes a huge difference.

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