The CEO of Stockport based charity Pure Insight has been shortlisted in the prestigious national Charity Times Awards.
Pure Insight, established since 2013, sets out to support a vulnerable group of young people through a difficult transition period from leaving care to adult independence.
Sarah Sturmey, founder of Pure Innovations’ sister charity Insight, was nominated in the Rising CEO Star category of The Charity Times Awards. The winner, from a shortlist of seven, will be announced at a gala dinner in London on October 3rd.
Pure Insight was set up in Stockport by Sarah in 2013 with seed funding from Pure Innovations. It provides vitally needed practical and emotional support for young people aged 16-28 who have left or are about to leave the Care system.
With no previous experience or background in charity management, Sarah had to acquire the legal and logistical knowledge required to be an effective Chief Executive Officer – and she has excelled.
Louise Parrott-Bates – CEO, Pure Innovations is delighted for Sarah:
“Sarah is an inspiration to work with, working tirelessly with her team to champion change with some of the most disadvantaged young people in our communities.
“She has courage and tenacity to challenge and advocate for young people in order to ensure they are safe, feel valued and have a sense of belonging. She is a brave, creative leader who will strive alongside others to make life changing differences for young people”.
Insight projects include the founding of peer support groups, mentor matching, fast track trauma counselling, parent support, drop-in cafes and much more. She has created a safe haven staffed by people who care deeply about the lives of young people who are too often forgotten about or overlooked.
With her drive and determination Sarah has attracted funding from grant-making organisations and local authorities. The models she has developed are so successful that the charity has scaled up its services and has expanded to Cheshire East and Trafford. Insight now has a staff team of 11 – and over 100 volunteers!
Sarah commented:
“It was a lovely surprise to be short-listed for the Rising Star CEO award. It’s fairly easy to look good when you have such an incredibly talented and committed team.
“The team deserves recognition as do the amazing volunteers we are so lucky to have walking alongside us and our courageous young people. Together, we make the Insight Family which truly is a force to be reckoned with, a place of integrity, belonging , connection and a reliable consistent presence whether you are a young person, volunteer or member of the team.
“I’m proud to be at the helm but it’s the people around me that make the Insight Family what it is, so I would like to thank everyone of them for their ongoing commitment and contribution.”