In this episode of Charity Changemakers, we have the pleasure of hearing from Phil Kerry, the CEO of New Horizon Youth Centre, who takes us through his inspiring journey from a mathematics teacher to a leader in the charity sector tackling youth homelessness in London.

 

Phil opens up about the challenges he’s faced in his career, particularly the pressures of leading through times of crisis, and how his background in education shaped his approach to leadership.

 

Phil reflects on the pivotal role that community engagement plays in successfully addressing the complex issue of youth homelessness, sharing his insights on building partnerships and mobilising resources within localcommunities.

 

He also sheds light on the innovative fundraisingstrategies that have helped New Horizon sustain and expand its vital work, particularly in times of financial uncertainty.

 

Additionally, Phil discusses the importance of LinkedIn asa powerful tool for networking and storytelling, explaining how it has allowed him to connect with like-minded individuals, organisations, and supporters, amplifying the impact of his work and spreading awareness of youth homelessness.

 

Key takeaways

• From education to leadership – Phil transitioned fromteaching to charity work after volunteering abroad.
• Navigating challenges – The pandemic tested theresilience of the charity sector, demanding new leadership strategies.
• Power of community – Building strongconnections is crucial in his role.
• Leveraging LinkedIn – A key tool fornetworking and amplifying impact.
• Youth-centred approach – New Horizon providesdirect support and insights into youth homelessness.
• Funding success – Despite sectorchallenges, the organisation has increased its funding.
• Collaboration over competition – Phil believes inthe infinite game approach to leadership.
• Work-life balance – Encouraging leaders toset boundaries and invest in personal well-being.
• Advice for future leaders – Be generous, buildrelationships, and embrace long-term impact.

 

Tune in and gain insights on leadership, youth homelessness, and impact!

 

Get involved      Follow The Charity Changemakers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more interviews with leaders who are making an impact in the nonprofit world.

 

Learn more about New Horizon Youth Centre at https://nhyouthcentre.org.uk.

 

Connect with Adam Stacey on LinkedIn for more discussions on charity leadership and recruitment.

 

Chapters

00:00 Transitioning from Teaching to Youth Work

10:39 Career Development and Leadership in the Charity Sector

13:33 The Role of a Chief Executive

16:25 Connecting with Frontline Services

19:31 Challenges Faced in Recent Years

21:31 Navigating Leadership Challenges in Uncertain Times

30:55 The Role of LinkedIn in Building Connections

38:29 Understanding New Horizon's Mission and Impact

 

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