Julie Kent MBE And The Power of Giving

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Our world is moving fast with technology and digitalization, millions of people are working desperately to make more money. For numerous individuals, it’s comparatively hard to stop for a moment and think about life and humanity. People with the mindset of getting rich (in whatever possible way) tend to forget that the real success is to have good health and a happy family. 

Meet Julie Kent MBE, a humanitarian who is doing extraordinary things and making an impact in many people’s lives. 

The indomitable Julie Kent is driving forward to get her message heard about the power of giving. She has booked podcasts and virtual talks all over the globe so that she can help other people heal by learning how to give to others. When Julie talks about giving she doesn’t just mean with money, fundraising , she means with time, energy, ideas, support, whatever you can give… give. Julie dazzles the audience with charm, originality and honest story telling. 

It’s not surprising that a lot of schools and universities have got in touch to ask Julie to come and speak. Julie has the most unique experience of leadership and parenting skills from living in a school as housemistress for three decades and looking after hundreds of teenagers. Whilst also managing parents needs and the senior management teams of teaching staff. 

The loss of her beautiful 3 year old daughter Emily Kent to a brain tumour , gave Julie a relentless drive and strength to help other children and families. Julie had witnessed the Power of Giving … first hand! Giving helped numerous people to make their lives better and it also helped her to process the grief and overcome the pain of losing her child. 

Her past made her grow into the person we can see today. As human beings we each have a responsibility to care for humanity. Expressing concern for others brings inner strength and deep satisfaction. As social animals, human beings need friendship, but friendship doesn’t come from wealth and power, but from showing compassion and concern for others. Our legacy is the imprint we leave on others lives, the messages they take from us and carry on telling and living. 

Bringing so much humanity, care, and love she shares her story to empower others to help and give to those in need.

What advice would you give to someone asking for advice about becoming a public speaker or event host?

Be yourself. Be natural. Be honest and your personality will shine through. Be real.

 If you had to pick a charity to give to, who would it be and why?

Tricky as I am the board of 3 local charities…all 3!

These are my charities:

Pied Piper

Founded in 1992, The Pied Piper Appeal is the leading children’s charity in Gloucestershire. Our mission is to make a difference to the lives of sick and disabled children in the county.

We do this in four main ways: Funding the Children’s Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and other county hospitals, Supporting all of the SEND Schools in Gloucestershire with equipment and resources, Sending children with life-limiting illnesses and their families on Wish

Holidays to make lasting memories and Improving children’s experiences at mental health facilities in the county. 

https://www.piedpiperappeal.co.uk/board-trustees-team/

Cheltenham Open Door

Working to relieve poverty, hardship and social or emotional distress.

https://cheltenhamopendoor.org.uk/2020/10/19/julie-kent-chair-of-open-door-becomes-an-mbe/

Goals Beyond Grass

https://www.goalsbeyondgrass.co.uk

Goals beyond grass believe that all people regardless of ability should be able to engage in social and physical activity.

Goals Beyond Grass was founded in 2016 following a successful start in Powerchair Football by the CEO Brian Dix. He recognised that the work being done to engage the community and give disabled people more chances and opportunity to engage in fun, social sports was not enough. He wanted to use Powerchair Football as the vehicle and take the sport out to the community giving everyone the chance to feel included. 

Now the charity operates on a daily basis by the philosophy and values 

– Sport for all (no one will ever be turned away from taking part in our activities)

– Social and Physical (we will encourage a coming together of like-minded individuals) 

– Community (we will involve the whole community, able bodied and disabled)

If I wasn’t on the board of three local charities.. Then I would look for a local charity that didn’t pay big salaries, where I could go and visit and see where my money would go.

I would offer not just money, but my time to help them.

What is the one mantra that you live your life by?

Don’t be a Go Getter be a Go Giver!

What are your talks all about?

I talk about gaining my MBE and nearly deleting the email!

Losing my daughter to a brain tumour and starting a charity in her name.

Closing it and living with 60 teenage girls for 20 years in a boarding school.

I finish up with the Power of Giving and how Giving is good for our Mental Health & helps us to live longer.

You feel good when you give, The person you give to feels good…It’s a win win…Don’t all businesses like a win win?

I can talk about the importance of businesses supporting local charities and the reasons why…

How can you be reached if someone is interested in booking you as a speaker or a guest on their podcast?

Contact my agent Sian at  [email protected]

Julie’s Instagram is : https://www.instagram.com/juliekentmbe/

and her website is http://www.juliekentmbe.com