Every now and again a conversation reminds me that leadership is not just about profit, strategy, or growth.
Sometimes it is simply about people.
This week’s episode of the Impactful Teamwork podcast was recorded as part of Podcasthon Week, a global initiative where more than 1,500 podcasters across 40 countries shine a spotlight on charities and the incredible work they do.
And my guest for this special episode was Simon Errington, CEO of the charity Children in Distress.
What unfolded in our conversation was not just a story about charity work. It was a masterclass in reinvention, community, and the power of purpose-led leadership.
Because when you lead an organisation powered by volunteers, limited resources, and deep human need, the leadership lessons become incredibly real.
Let me share some of the insights that stood out.
From Crisis Response to Reinvention
Children in Distress began over 35 years ago in response to a humanitarian crisis.
When the communist regime in Romania collapsed, thousands of children were left vulnerable. Orphanages were closing, systems were collapsing, and many children were simply abandoned.
The charity stepped in to help. Over the decades they built orphanages, provided care, and supported vulnerable children across the country. But something interesting happened. Romania changed. The country evolved. Infrastructure improved. Conditions became better. Which meant the charity faced a profound leadership question:
What do we do when the world we were built to serve no longer exists in the same way?
Instead of clinging to the past, Simon and the team chose reinvention.
Today the charity still supports legacy projects in Romania, including Casa Maria, a family-style home caring for children with neurological and physical disabilities.
But they are also pivoting their strategy to support grassroots community projects in the UK.
It is a perfect example of something I talk about often on the podcast:
Leadership today is not about maintaining the status quo.
It is about reading the environment and adapting the system.
Just like a healthy herd does in nature.
Grassroots Impact: Supporting Communities Where They Are
One of the things I loved hearing about was the shift toward supporting local community leaders who are already making a difference. Instead of building new programmes from scratch, Children in Distress now focuses on funding and supporting grassroots initiatives.
One example is a project in Hull that brings Romanian families together through a weekly cooking club. Thirty children gather each week to cook traditional Romanian food, share meals, and spend time together as a community.
The aim is simple but powerful. Helping young people maintain their heritage, strengthen identity, and build confidence through shared experience. Alongside the cooking sessions there is also a Sunday school where children learn Romanian language and culture so they can stay connected to their roots.
What struck me about this project is that it goes far beyond food. It creates:
• Belonging
• Cultural identity
• Community connection
• Life skills
• Confidence
And all of these are essential ingredients for young people navigating a complex world.
The Three Pillars Supporting Young People
When I asked Simon about the charity’s priorities, three key themes emerged.
These pillars guide the projects they choose to support.
1. Wellbeing
Young people today face huge pressures. Technology, social media, isolation, and the lingering effects of COVID have all impacted their emotional resilience.
Many of the programmes funded by Children in Distress create spaces where young people can simply connect with others, interact, and build relationships.
Sometimes the most powerful intervention is simply helping children spend time together away from screens.
2. Education and Life Skills
Education doesn’t only happen in classrooms. Learning to cook. Working as a team. Communicating with others. These life skills build independence and confidence. Through practical activities children gain capabilities that will serve them throughout their lives.
3. Confidence and Community
Confidence grows when people feel they belong. The community aspect of these projects is vital. Parents attend sessions, families participate, and the wider community becomes part of the experience. This creates what I often describe as an ecosystem of support. When the system is healthy, individuals flourish.
The Leadership Challenge of Running a Charity
One part of our conversation fascinated me. Running a charity, in many ways, can be more complex than running a commercial business.
Why?
Because most of the people involved are volunteers. They are not tied to the organisation through a salary. They show up because they believe in the mission. And that completely changes how leadership works.
Simon explained it beautifully.
When you lead volunteers, you cannot simply tell people what to do.
You must:
• Build relationships
• Communicate the vision
• Nurture trust
• Keep people connected to the purpose
People volunteer because they care. But they stay because they feel valued.
This is a perfect example of what I describe in my Unbridled Teamship Roadmap, where trust, contribution, and adaptability create momentum inside teams.
Whether in a charity or a corporate boardroom, the principles are exactly the same.
Trust fuels contribution. Contribution creates momentum.
The Power of Community
Another powerful thread in our conversation was the role of community. Simon described volunteers who have spent decades knitting hats for shoebox gifts, year after year. Groups of people gathering to pack boxes filled with gifts for children who otherwise might receive nothing at Christmas. Each year the charity sends around 5,000 shoeboxes to Romania. Think about that for a moment. Thousands of people, across communities, quietly contributing their time and care.
No headlines. No applause. Just consistent acts of generosity.
In many ways this is what healthy systems look like. Small actions, repeated consistently, creating huge ripple effects.
The Big Challenge: Engaging the Next Generation
Like many charities, Children in Distress faces a growing challenge. How do you engage younger supporters?
Many long-standing volunteers have supported the organisation for decades. But the future depends on attracting a new generation of donors and volunteers. Simon believes the key lies in communicating impact clearly.
People today want to understand:
• What difference their contribution makes
• How they benefit personally
• What outcomes their time or money creates
In other words, purpose must be visible. And collaboration is essential. Charities cannot operate alone. They must partner with communities, organisations, and networks to expand their reach.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
Here are the biggest lessons I took away from this conversation.
1. Reinvention is essential
Organisations must adapt as the world changes. Holding onto old models prevents future impact.
2. Small organisations can create massive impact
You don’t need scale to make a difference. Focused action at the grassroots level can transform lives.
3. Trust is the foundation of volunteer leadership
People follow leaders they trust, especially when they are giving their time freely.
4. Community creates resilience
When people gather around a shared purpose, momentum builds naturally.
5. Purpose drives contribution
Volunteers show up because they believe in something bigger than themselves.
How You Can Help
If this conversation resonates with you, there are many ways you can support charities like Children in Distress.
You could:
• Make a small donation
• Volunteer your time
• Support their shoebox campaign
• Share their story with others
Even a single pound, multiplied across a community, can make a huge difference.
You can learn more at: childrenindistress.org
Final Reflection
One thing became clear during this conversation. Whether we are leading businesses, charities, or communities, the fundamentals remain the same. People want to contribute. They want to belong. They want to feel that their efforts matter. And when leaders create environments where trust, connection, and purpose thrive, extraordinary things become possible. Just like in a herd, when the system is aligned, movement happens naturally.
Show Notes
00:00 Why Teamwork Wins
00:46 Podcastathon Week Intro
01:10 Meet Simon Arrington
01:59 Charity Origins in Romania
03:19 Casa Maria and Shoeboxes
04:09 Pivoting to the UK
05:55 UK Projects in Hull
09:48 Key Pillars for Youth
11:59 Why Simon Volunteers
14:42 Leading Volunteers as CEO
18:43 Shoebox Campaign Community
21:52 Engaging Younger Supporters
25:16 Small Charity Big Impact
28:04 How to Donate and Volunteer
29:57 Wrap Up and Subscribe
You can contact Simon and learn more about Children in Distress at www.childrenindistress.org
