In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam is joined by Lee Barnett, Chief Encourager of Sandy Bear Children's Bereavement Charity, for a warm and candid conversation about life, leadership and supporting bereaved children and families across Wales.

Lee shares a career journey that began in catering, moved through NHS dementia care, youth work with the Red Cross and public health commissioning, before arriving at Sandy Bear three years ago. He reflects on what compassionate leadership really looks like, why it's so often mistaken for weakness, and how personal life experience has shaped him as much as any formal training.

Together, Adam and Lee unpack:

• How a career without a clear plan can be the best kind of foundation
• Why bereavement work involves far more laughter than people assume
• Sandy Bear's model of supporting families before, during and after a bereavement
• Why early grief support can reduce risky teenage behaviour and improve educational outcomes
• The challenges of funding a small charity and the freedom that comes from reducing statutory dependency
• Why Sandy Bear is "bigger than bereavement"
• The origin of the Sandy Bear name, rooted in the beaches of Pembrokeshire
• Why being the least important person in the room might be the mark of a great leader
  

A generous, grounded and joyful conversation for anyone working in the charity sector, leadership, or the often overlooked world of bereavement support.

Takeaways
Career journey | Compassionate leadership | Children's bereavement | Funding challenges | Grief and young people | Wales charity sector

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Career Journey
• 09:13 Transition to Sandy Bear and Challenges of Funding
• 14:46 Working with Local Authorities and Long-Term Planning
• 20:54 Impact of the Charity's Work and Positive Memories
• 26:21 Collaboration with Hospices and Family Support
• 32:44 The Origin and Name of Sandy Bear
• 40:51 Lessons Learned and Compassionate Leadership
  

#CharityLeadership #Bereavement #ChildrensCharity #CompassionateLeadership #CharitySector #Wales #NonProfitLeadership #CharityChangemakers #SocialImpact #ThirdSector