Finding My Place, Building Our Future - Strategy 2025-28
Strategies don’t live in documents — they live in people. Here’s Deputy CEO and Director of Practice & Operations Jon’s story…
When I joined CoLab in 2023, I was looking for more than just a new role. After years in the substance misuse sector, I hoped to find somewhere values-led — a place where I could stretch myself, contribute something meaningful, and stay rooted in the Exeter community.
What I found was more than a workplace. I found a tribe. From the very first day, I felt at home among people who share a belief that relationships matter, that trauma-informed practice is essential, and that compassion and justice are not just words on a wall but ways of working.
Here, I’ve been encouraged to lead authentically — to grow into the kind of leader I want to be. Compassionate Leadership isn’t abstract at CoLab; it’s lived every day in the way we hold space for each other and for those who walk through our doors.
Like any living community, CoLab has evolved. From being primarily a host and enabler, we are now delivering more services ourselves. Growth has brought complexity, and part of my role has been making sure our systems and structures can keep pace without losing the warmth, courage, and humanity that define us.
Working in a truly relational and trauma-informed way isn’t always easy. It can be messy, sometimes intangible. But it is intentional. It is best practice. And it is courageous. I see this most in our Welcome Team, who meet people at their most vulnerable moments and respond with patience, care, and dignity. That takes extraordinary strength.
Now, as we launch our new strategy, I feel both proud and hopeful. The next chapter is about creating the systems that allow care, trust, and cooperation to flourish — while holding fast to the heart of who we are.
Because in the end, this isn’t just the story of an organisation. It’s the story of people choosing, every day, to do the hard work of connection and change. And I couldn’t be prouder to be part of it.
What part of our strategy speaks most to you? We’d love to hear your reflections below.
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