In this episode of Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast – What’s Your Why?, Dean Jones speaks with Simon Green, Chief Executive of YMCA Milton Keynes, about the raw personal experiences – a close friend's time in hostel accommodation over 20 years ago, and the devastating loss of someone dear who lived there and died from addiction – that drove him to dedicate a significant portion of his life to supporting young people and helping them to make a fresh start.

Simon opens up on the brutal intertwining of poor mental health, addiction and isolation that traps young people, and how YMCA MK works alongside them to build new starts – the unvarnished stories of lives turned around, second chances seized, and the quiet dignity of giving someone the shot at life they deserve. It's a story laced with resilience and determination, but also the high stakes, relentless stress and profound rewards of leadership when the stakes couldn't be higher.

Real talk for charity leaders, local decision-makers and funders who want to grasp what it truly takes to stand with young people on the brink.

Listen on all major platforms – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube – or head to earlybirdphilanthropy.com/night-owl-podcast for more.

Like, follow, subscribe. Share with one person who needs to hear this. One man's why, forged in grief, proves what's possible.

In this episode of the Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast – What’s Your Why?, I’m joined by Lorraine Lewis, Co‑Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation.

Lorraine shares the story of how a deeply personal family experience led to the creation of a charity that now provides free gift packs to adult cancer patients across multiple hospitals.

She talks about how those early days on the ward shaped the Foundation’s mission, how the charity has grown operationally, and some of the challenges along the way.

We explore the importance of emotional care alongside clinical treatment, the crucial role volunteers and community supporters play, and why visibility and awareness really matter for patients who often feel forgotten. Lorraine also reflects on the recognition the Foundation has received and her hopes for the future – from enhancing patient care to influencing how society thinks about comfort, dignity and compassion in cancer treatment.

If you find this conversation helpful or moving, please like, comment, and subscribe to the channel, and follow the Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast on your preferred platform.

The podcast is available on all major streaming channels.

If you’d like to share your own story or explore being a guest on a future episode, you can get in touch via: 👉 https://earlybirdphilanthropy.com

Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast: Jon Manning on building Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation

Dean Jones speaks with Jon Manning, founder/CEO of Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation, about turning lived experience of trauma and mental illness into accessible one‑to‑one support – no waiting lists, no thresholds.​

From childhood abuse, four‑year NHS waits and a Priory breakthrough to starting a charity on 57p, they explore crisis leadership, team wellbeing and why mental health underpins so much else.​

For charity leaders, mental health practitioners, funders and partners seeking grounded insights on innovation, safeguarding and lived‑experience ​

Contents

00:00 – Welcome 01:51 – Early experiences (“How did they shape your understanding?”) Childhood abuse, failed CAMHS​

03:32 – Family history & name 06:35 – From surviving to helping (“What moved you?”) Empathy to fix systems.​

08:54 – Turning point Priory diagnosis, traffic lights decision.​

12:39 – Evolving ‘why’ Mass training to one‑to‑one.​

13:38 – Covid surge Daily referrals, willingness to seek help.​

16:22 – Arthur Ellis model (“How do you introduce it?”) Ages 8+, online/play therapy.​

20:41 – Day one NatWest Accelerator, consultancy survival.​

24:14 – Problem solved Patient experience, choice, waits.​

26:32 – Barriers Credibility, free work.​

28:23 – Make‑or‑break Sold furniture for £16k contract.​

29:51 – Vision vs governance (“How do you balance?”) Trustees, DSL, team roles.​

35:07 – Self‑care Therapy, exercise, boundaries.​

38:26 – Team support Supervision, referral distancing.​

43:24 – Impact stories Girl leaves home, boy wins student award.​

53:45 – Career path Sales to charity.​

1:02:57 – Myths “Burden” narrative, clinical framing.​

1:08:24 – One change Healthy behaviours marketing.​

1:13:05 – Good leadership People first, balanced sacrifice.​

1:28:18 – Help needed Partnerships, events.​

1:33:02 – Future 20k people/year, accessible service.​