At Be Leadership, giving back isn’t just part of our mission, it’s woven into the ways we show up in the world. One of the ways we do this is through our commitment to donating a portion of our profits to purpose-led organizations. This year, we’ve moved to a quarterly donation model to support community partners that connect directly to the people in our team, and our second contribution of the year goes to an organization doing truly meaningful work in the UK: The Listening Place.

What is The Listening Place?

The Listening Place is a charity dedicated to supporting people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings of wanting to end their life by offering free, ongoing, face-to-face listening support.

Their mission is simple but profound: to provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space where people can talk openly about how they’re feeling, including thoughts that are often difficult to share anywhere else. Through regular one-to-one sessions with trained volunteers, visitors are given the time and space to explore these feelings without pressure, advice, or interruption.

At the heart of their work is a belief in the power of being truly heard, especially in moments of deep distress. In a world that often rushes to respond or fix, The Listening Place focuses on listening to understand, creating a space where people can begin to process what they’re going through at their own pace.

Since opening in 2016, they have supported more than 35,000 people experiencing suicidal thoughts, with the help of over 900 trained volunteers. Demand for their service continues to grow – in 2025 alone, they received over 10,000 referrals. Despite this growing demand, they aim to contact every referral within 24 hours and offer a first appointment within seven days, ensuring support remains timely and accessible.

Their work offers something deeply human: connection, consistency, and compassion at moments when it matters most. For many, this support can be a critical part of staying safe and finding a way forward. You can learn more about their work at https://www.listeningplace.org.uk/.

Team Spotlight: Ed Williams

We’re especially proud to support The Listening Place because of our connection through Ed Williams, who previously played an important role at Be Leadership ​​and is now focusing on his next chapter, developing and running The Odyssey Programme, a transformational experience designed for senior professionals, executives and founders at a pivotal moment of transition, alongside his ongoing work as an executive coach.

Alongside this, Ed volunteers with The Listening Place, offering his time to support individuals who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide or feeling overwhelmed by life.

Recently, Ed also took part in The Listening Place’s annual sponsored walk, marking their 10th anniversary. Joining fellow volunteers, he walked 10 miles across 10 London parks to help raise funds for the charity, part of a wider effort to reach a £20,000 target, which would enable The Listening Place to fully fund support for 80 people experiencing suicidal thoughts.

If you’d like to support this effort, you can contribute here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/2026-tlp-sponsored-walk

This kind of volunteering calls for presence, empathy, and deep listening — qualities that Ed consistently brought to his work at Be Leadership and continues to embody in his community contributions today.

Be Leadership’s Donation: Supporting Purpose-Led Impact

At Be Leadership, we donate 5% of our profits each month to purpose-led organizations. This year, in celebration of deeper connection and meaningful impact, we are donating to support organizations that have a direct tie to our people and their communities.

We are delighted that our latest donation has gone to The Listening Place, an organization that provides vital support to people during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. We’re proud to stand alongside their work, and to recognize Ed’s ongoing contribution as a volunteer.

Communities are strengthened not by chance, but by intentional action. Whether it’s through offering a listening ear in moments of crisis, creating a safe space for honest conversation, or the quiet dedication of volunteers like Ed, organizations like The Listening Place play an essential role in supporting people when they need it most.