What is it like to work for the world’s largest charity protecting children who have lost their parents? Louise Spearman, our Senior Corporate Partnerships Officer, shares what she enjoys most about her role with us, and her advice for starting your own career in the charity sector.
What made you want to work at SOS UK?
I wanted to work at a charity that makes huge impact across the world, and SOS Children’s Villages does that in abundance. I have been lucky enough to travel a lot and I have met children both with and without family like care. The difference in the children who grow up feeling loved and cared for is striking – their confidence, mental health, the opportunities they seem to get. I therefore instantly resonated with the cause and the work that we do in ensuring that vulnerable children grow up feeling secure, and giving them a change to reach their full potential.
I was particularly impressed by the ‘Family Strengthening’ work that SOS UK do – ensuring that families who are at risk of separation can stay together. I’m also very inspired by the support that SOS Children’s Villages give to young people, such as vocational training, which makes a positive impact on wider communities and helps break the cycling of poverty. The long term sustainable impact is palpable.
What are the top three things about your job?
First and foremost, the team and culture here at SOS UK. This is by far the best working culture I have ever experienced. Such a friendly team – many of whom I would consider friends, and everyone is supportive and encouraging. It is a real privilege and joy to work alongside such great people. It’s impossible not to be motivated when you work alongside such talented people, and whilst you’re constantly being encouraged to take ownership, run with your ideas etc – it’s a workplace where you can really be creative and thrive.
On the topic of team, my second point is getting to work with colleagues in the international federation. I really enjoy getting to speak to colleagues all over the world on a daily basis – getting to know them, their teams and understand their programmes is fascinating. I was lucky enough to attend a conference in Budapest earlier this year where many of my international counterparts came together to share ideas and learning – being around such an enthusiastic group of people for a few days was so energising.
Finally (and this is probably cheating as two things), but learning and flexibility/welfare. SOS UK is constantly encouraging us to attend courses, network, try things a different way, etc. It’s a place where learning has no limits. SOS UK really wins the prize for the most flexibility I’ve ever had – I do have my core hours but if I need to change them to accommodate anything in my personal life, it’s never an issue, and also being fully remote means that I can work anywhere! This really helps keep my mental health in check, and welfare of staff is something that SOS takes very seriously.
First and foremost, the team and culture here at SOS UK. This is by far the best working culture I have ever experienced. Such a friendly team – many of whom I would consider friends, and everyone is supportive and encouraging.
Where did you work before joining SOS UK?
I worked in the corporate sector, within the publishing and events industry. I had a few roles, from project management to sales. The clients I worked with ranged from banks, to insurance brokers to financial service technology providers and beyond. I always really struggled to connect with these roles, as I never felt inspired by what the organisation did.
To be honest, I’ve always wanted to work in the charity sector. I tried really hard when I graduated, but at that point in time I just needed a job and fell into something else. Deep down my heart was in the charity sector. When I was 16 I spent a month working a school in Malawi, and then since then I volunteered in Peru, Nepal, Guatemala and I’ve taken part in national and international fundraising events. I’m most passionate when I’m volunteering or fundraising, so it’s clear that this is the sector that I should be working in.
How did you first get into working in the charity sector?
As mentioned, I’d done a lot of volunteering and fundraising previously, but in order to get into the sector professionally, I found I had to volunteer full time. Luckily, I was given the time to do this when I was put on furlough during the pandemic. During this period, I worked full time on my career change – I volunteered (remotely) for three charities, read every kind of book about the charity sector and fundraising I could find, and networked like mad – I connected with people in the charity sector, career advisers and fundraisers, and asked all of them for conversations! Eventually, it all paid off and after nine months of volunteering (and applying for roles), I was offered three jobs (including this one) on the same day! Taking this role was a no brainer – I knew that SOS Children’s Villages was the one to beat.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to get into the charity sector?
Put your heart and soul into it. Be prepared for bad days, for frustration and rejection, but it’ll be the best thing you ever do. Educate yourself, read as much as you can about the job and industry, learn the lingo and train yourself before you’re even in a role. Volunteer, building your experience working on great causes, and network. It’s so true when they say ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ – for me I didn’t know the people that I needed to, but I got to know them and then bulldozed my way in. See every interview/job you don’t get as a step closer to the right one – you’ll be learning every time.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Definitely still in the INGO sector, definitely still working for a cause as close to my heart as this one. Other than that, I’m pretty open minded, as I’m very open to whatever opportunities may come my way within the sector. I’m very excited for what the future holds!
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First and foremost, the team and culture here at SOS UK. This is by far the best working culture I have ever experienced. Such a friendly team – many of whom I would consider friends, and everyone is supportive and encouraging.
