Tell us about your career journey to date.
My career has been quite varied but always centred around people, learning, and empowerment. I started out in the Creative Industries as a performer and choreographer (I won the World Hip Hop Championships twice and danced for Mariah Carey!), which gave me a strong foundation in communication, leadership, and collaboration. Over time, I felt drawn toward education and community development, particularly supporting those who face barriers to learning.
I’ve also had the privilege of living and working internationally — across Southeast Asia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the USA, where I ran a leadership programme and served as a Resident Advisor with Camp America. While living in Singapore, I completed a Human Rights internship with MARUAH.
I trained and qualified as a teacher through Ako Mātātupu: Teach First New Zealand, which gave me the opportunity to work closely with students who had diverse learning and social needs. That experience deepened my commitment to inclusive education and community engagement, leading me to complete a Masters in Education.
After returning to England following the pandemic, I continued to build on that work — combining my educational background with leadership and project management roles in the charity sector. I’ve since worked internationally with organisations, and I now lead my own charity, DreamCatchers WorldWide, which focuses on digital inclusion and lifelong learning for vulnerable and older adults.
You have set up your own charity. How did you go about it?
DreamCatchers WorldWide began organically in Auckland, New Zealand in 2014. It started as a small community initiative offering Hip Hop classes to the local community. From there, we provided services including Stretch and Flex Yoga, Smart Tech for Seniors, Movement and Mindfulness for Tots, Homework Hubs, Corporate Team-building workshops and more. We also created our annual event Feed4All NZ which provided food, beverage and sanitary packages for homeless people around Auckland.
During COVID-19, services were suspended and in 2022, I returned back to my family in London, England. At this stage, I contemplated shutting down the charity as I felt quite hopeless and despondent after the pandemic. I decided to continue remotely and after a small grant, we are now offering 2 services and hopefully a third in 2026. In November 2024, I set up DreamCatchers WorldWide UK here in London, England. Setting up a not for profit is very much a learning-by-doing experience, but my background in education and leadership really helped. What made the biggest difference was collaboration — working with local community and volunteers, councils, libraries, and community centres to ensure the work had reach and relevance.
Why did you choose to work in the Charity sector? What do you particularly enjoy about it?
For me, the charity sector is where purpose meets action. It allows you to see the direct, tangible impact of your work.
What I love most is the variety and the heart behind the work. The people you meet share a common goal of making things better for others. It’s a space that values empathy, creativity, and adaptability — qualities I really identify with.
Every sector has its challenges. What is particularly challenging about working in, and finding work in the Charity sector?
The biggest challenge is often around resources and sustainability. Funding can be uncertain, which means you need to be agile, strategic, and innovative in how you design and deliver projects. For smaller charities, there’s also the challenge of capacity — balancing operational needs with the demands of service delivery. You need good time management, organisation and communication skills to build.
From a job-seeking perspective, opportunities aren’t always formally advertised, so building relationships and getting involved through volunteering or short-term projects can make a big difference.
What advice would you offer a graduate looking to start a career in this sector?
- Start with volunteering or internships. They give you hands-on experience and help you understand the realities of community work.
- Also, don’t underestimate the power of networking — attending local events, joining LinkedIn groups, or connecting with organisations whose missions resonate with you. Most importantly, focus on your “why”.
If you’re feeling inspired to explore a career in the non-profit sector, take a look at the upcoming programme of events focused on careers in Charities, NGOs and International Development! Save the dates and book your place for more valuable insights.
