We recently welcomed Sharonjeet, our new London Business Development Manager into her brand new role developing our service provision in London. She spoke to us about her vision for the role, how she'll measure success in her position and how her experience has shaped her path.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background
I have over 20 years’ experience working across substance misuse, criminal justice, and the voluntary sector, with a strong focus on supporting people who are often the most marginalised. A large part of my career has been in prison settings, and I’m deeply passionate about penal reform and improving outcomes for people within the justice system. My approach is rooted in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive practice, shaped by both my professional experience and my own lived understanding. At the heart of my work is a genuine commitment to helping people rebuild a sense of self-worth and belief in themselves. Alongside my professional role, I’m also a qualified yoga teacher, which reflects my wider interest in supporting people’s mental and emotional wellbeing in a more holistic way.
What is your vision for the London Development Manager role in the first year?
In the first year, my focus would be on building strong foundations while driving visible growth. That means taking the time to really understand the organisation, its strengths, and what has made it successful in other regions, while translating that effectively into the London context. Alongside this, I’d want to establish a clear presence for Changing Lives in London - building relationships, increasing brand awareness, and positioning the organisation as a credible and trusted partner. Ultimately, my vision is to create momentum: developing partnerships, identifying opportunities, and ensuring that by the end of year one, we are not only established but actively growing and recognised within the sector.
What does success look like for you in this position?
Success for me would be seeing Changing Lives firmly positioned within the London landscape as a respected and recognised organisation, with strong partnerships and a growing portfolio of work. It would mean that the organisation’s reputation and impact - already well established in other regions - is clearly visible in London, and that we are being sought out as a partner of choice. Internally, success would also look like having clear direction, sustainable growth, and a strong, values-driven approach that translates into meaningful outcomes for the people we serve.
What drew you to Changing Lives and our work?
What drew me to Changing Lives was the clear alignment with my own values and approach to working with people. There is a strong focus on trauma-informed practice, empowerment, and seeing people beyond their circumstances, which really resonates with me. I was also particularly struck by the organisation’s emphasis on staff wellbeing and culture - this came through strongly during induction, especially hearing from senior leaders in such an open and relatable way. It felt like an organisation that not only talks about values but actively lives them, and that was something I really wanted to be part of.
You previously worked at St Mungo’s within criminal justice. How does your experience shape your path to this role?
My experience at St Mungo’s and within criminal justice has given me a deep understanding of the complex and multiple intersecting needs that people face, particularly around homelessness, substance misuse, and the justice system. It has strengthened my ability to work across systems, build partnerships, and navigate challenging environments while keeping the individual at the centre. It has also reinforced the importance of trauma-informed approaches and long-term, sustainable support. This experience directly shapes how I approach this role - bringing both strategic awareness and practical understanding of what is needed to develop services that are effective, responsive, and genuinely impactful.
What opportunities do you see for Changing Lives in London? What excites you most about developing partnerships in this region?
London presents significant opportunities, particularly in the areas of criminal justice and women’s services, where there is a clear need for trauma-informed, holistic support. I see strong potential to develop partnerships across these sectors, working collaboratively with organisations and stakeholders to create pathways that better support individuals with complex needs. What excites me most is the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships that go beyond transactional working - relationships that are rooted in shared values and a common goal of improving outcomes for the people we support.
What do you think differentiates us from other charities working across similar areas?
What stands out to me about Changing Lives is the genuine commitment to its values, both in how services are delivered and how staff are supported. The focus on wellbeing, the emphasis on approaches like the 4Bs, and the openness shown by senior leadership all create a culture that feels authentic rather than performative. From my initial experience, there is a strong sense that people are trusted, supported, and encouraged to be themselves, which ultimately translates into better outcomes for those using the service. That authenticity and alignment between values and practice is what differentiates the organisation.
