Helping lived experience reach decision makers
Over the years, I’ve worked across many causes and what connects them all is people. That’s why Sounddelivery Media resonated with me so strongly. We exist to support grassroots leaders to take their lived experience into places where decisions are made, whether that’s policy, media or wider public debate.
We shine a light on people who are already doing incredible work and help them get their message out there further. These are leaders who often don’t see themselves as leaders, yet they are changing lives every day.
People with lived experience know what’s needed
What excites me most about lived experience leadership is that it’s real. These leaders know what’s needed because they’ve been through it themselves. They understand what works and what doesn’t. They’ve struggled, persisted and found ways forward.
I’m in awe of what I see. There is a growing movement of people who genuinely care about communities that have been pushed to the margins. Every day, someone is standing up for a cause, often without recognition or support, and that inspires me endlessly.
It can be hard work to keep chipping away
Grassroots leadership is not easy. It can be hard work to keep chipping away at your cause. My own experience as a grassroots leader helps me support others in the network. I understand the pressures, the isolation, the constant push to keep going. I’m a fundraiser by background. And I hope that through my role at Sounddelivery Media, I can pass some of that on.
That might mean helping leaders become more confident and polished in how they communicate. It might mean supporting them to fulfil their mission, or simply helping them stay the course. Ultimately, it’s about enabling them to build the world they want to see.
We’re in troubled times globally
What feels most important for 2026 is bringing this movement together and consolidating what we’re building. There are leaders who have already achieved so much, and we can give them greater exposure and support. These are troubled times globally, and it is precisely these leaders who will make the difference. Our role is to equip them with the tools they need to lead with confidence and impact.
There’s a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. I believe the same is true when it comes to social change. When we come together, we are so much stronger. Sounddelivery Media feels like that kind of village. A movement of people who know that nothing is achieved in isolation and that real change happens when we support one another.
Turning lived experience into lasting influence
Members of Sounddelivery Media can look forward to a network that continues to grow and deepen in 2026. We want to take what Jude started and build something even stronger — a go-to organisation that media turn to when they want informed, authentic voices.
Imagine a world where, when the BBC, ITN or any media outlet needs someone to speak on racial equity, transgender rights, the environment or young people, they turn to us. Not for a spokesperson who has only studied the issue, but for someone who has lived it, understands it deeply and can speak with authenticity and authority.
But it’s also about what happens behind the scenes. Grassroots leaders are passionate about their cause, but fundraising, policy development and organisational structure can fall by the wayside because they’re stretched too thin. We understand those challenges because we’ve lived them too.
We can help leaders build the infrastructure around them, such as peer networks, practical tools and spaces to share frustrations as well as wins. A place where people are picked up, dusted off and reminded: we can do this together.
Lived experience is authentic
Lived experience matters because it tells the truth. It cuts through ignorance and assumption. It allows society to hear what life is really like on the ground.
Sometimes, doors stay closed simply because people don’t know how to open them. Sounddelivery Media exists to change that. We’re here to empower voices to speak with passion and strength, and to make sure those voices are heard.
In 2026, I want Sounddelivery Media to be recognised as the go-to leadership development programme for people driving social change across the UK and beyond. More than that, I want our legacy to be about building a generation of leaders who lead with integrity, empathy and collective purpose. Because the real measure of our work will always be the ripple effects it creates in communities, systems and lives.