International Women's Day - Our Assistant Director Reflects

Interview with Sarah Forshaw – Assistant Director at Key Unlocking Futures

What does it mean to lead as an Assistant Director at Key Unlocking Futures?

It means being part of something bigger than yourself.

Leading at Key Unlocking Futures feels like standing in a circle of strong, values-driven people, women and allies, who don’t just talk about change, they live it. Every single day. We work with people navigating domestic abuse, homelessness, family breakdown and trauma. That reality shapes how we lead. It has to be human. It has to be brave. And it absolutely has to be collaborative.

What I love most is that leadership here isn’t about holding the loudest voice in the room. It’s about creating the room, and then making sure the right voices are heard. Strategy is shared. Challenges are faced together. Success is collective.

There’s also a deep sense of responsibility. The decisions we make ripple into the real lives of women, children and families who rely on us getting it right. That could feel heavy, but being surrounded by thoughtful, compassionate colleagues makes it grounding rather than daunting. We hold each other accountable, we challenge each other well, and we never lose sight of why we’re here.

For me personally, it’s shaped a leadership style rooted in listening. The people closest to the work, our support workers, volunteers, service leads and the communities we serve, hold the insight. My job is to create space for that insight to influence direction.

And yes, courage is contagious. When you’re surrounded by people who advocate fiercely, innovate confidently and care deeply, it raises your own game too.

Do you think there is something distinctive about women’s leadership in the voluntary sector? What stands out to you?

For me, what feels distinctive is how empowerment and collaboration aren’t theory, they’re daily practice.

In the voluntary sector, trust is everything. And I think many women leaders bring a natural instinct to build that trust by lifting others up. Empowerment shows up in the small, consistent actions: inviting quieter voices into conversation, sharing ownership rather than guarding it, and modelling authenticity so others feel safe to do the same.

But it’s not about women leading in isolation. Some of the strongest leadership I see is when women and allies work side by side, combining empathy, strategic thinking, challenge and support. That blend creates balance. It sharpens ideas. It builds resilience.

Collaboration here isn’t soft, it’s smart. When leadership is inclusive and relationship-centred, decisions are stronger because they reflect real experiences. When ego steps aside, impact grows.

At Key, empowerment and collaboration weave together like a golden thread. We bring people together, yes, but we also create platforms for people to step forward. That’s where transformation happens. Quietly. Consistently. Collectively.

When you think about the next generation of leaders, what do you hope they will inherit from organisations like ours?

I hope they inherit courage - the steady, values-led kind.

I hope they grow up in workplaces where empathy is seen as strength and integrity is non-negotiable. Where they don’t feel pressure to shrink themselves to succeed. Where ambition for impact sits comfortably alongside compassion for people.

I hope they inherit a culture where allyship is lived, not labelled. Where men and women actively champion one another. Where calling out inequity is normal, and opening doors for someone else is instinctive. The future of leadership isn’t about one group rising, it’s about rising together. The strongest organisations are the ones where women and allies share influence generously and hold each other to high standards.

And I hope they inherit energy - a sense that leadership in this sector, while serious in purpose, can still be creative, hopeful and full of possibility.

Because ultimately, what we’re passing on isn’t just services or strategies. It’s a way of leading. One that is human. Connected. Brave. And bold enough to believe that real, lasting change happens when we build it side by side.