Mindful Talent Are Finalists in the Smiley Charity Film Awards

The Corporate Cause section in the Smiley Charity Film Awards is a chance for businesses to demonstrate how they’re giving back. It’s a hugely important and impactful category, allowing us to celebrate their partnerships with charities and causes that benefit our world.

Ahead of the Smiley Charity Film Awards, we caught up with Alister Gray, the Founder and CEO of Mindful Talent who, in partnership with 20/20 Levels, are providing underrepresented youth from inner-city London with a safe space to rediscover themselves, heal, and grow.

Why Did You Choose to Get Involved With This Cause?

In 2018, I was introduced to Duro Oye, founder of 20/20 Levels, by a mutual client (Converse). I was asked if I would be interested in delivering workshops and sessions for the participants of their award winning ‘I Am Change’  programme, which teaches young Black people and adults, who are underrepresented, life and business skills that will support them to navigate their lives and careers with more ease, equipping them vital tools that aren’t taught in school.

As soon as I heard about the project and as soon as I met with Duro I was all in. In many ways I could relate to the young adults having experienced similar life experiences; born into relative poverty, a broken household through divorce, and the need to grow up quickly at the age of 17 when I moved from my family home into a high rise flat with my Dad and sister on council estate. In Duro, I also found someone who I could relate to in terms of background, life experiences, and we both recognised quickly that we shared a genuine intent to give back and contribute to others, especially young adults, who would benefit from positive role models in their life.

Since that first meeting, I’ve supported 20/20 Levels by hosting workshops and talks as part of their ‘I Am Change’ programme, we’ve offered over £160,000 worth of scholarships to our Mindful Talent Coach Training Academy, and most recently we’ve  committed to taking 15 members of 20/20’s alumni to a 6-day transformational retreat in Italy each year at the world renowned Mandali Retreat Centre (where we shot the film).

Our collaboration has deepened over the years, along with my friendship with Duro and I’m excited about what we can achieve together moving forward.

It’s hard to explain in words or place into context what this partnership means to us as a business and as a family, but I’ll do my best: it reminds us that within every person lies a deep longing to feel loved, accepted, understood, seen, and celebrated—and that everyone deserves the chance to thrive and fulfil their potential.

Why is It So Important for Businesses to Get Involved in Charity Work and Giving Back? 

In a world that is incredibly complex to navigate and where the disparity of wealth is becoming greater and greater, I feel it’s more important than ever for businesses to get involved with meaningful projects and to demonstrate strong values of love, compassion, understanding, and integrity by giving back and contributing to those less fortunate. Not simply for the sake of ticking a CSR box but because our world and our future generations are relying on us. I’m the father of an 8-year old and I feel it’s a huge part of my responsibility to leave the world in a better place than when I entered. Now, the changes I hope to see may not be realised in my lifetime, however as a business we believe in planting seeds for the future that will hopefully flourish for years beyond our existence.

Getting involved with charities and giving back helps cultivate a work culture rooted in kindness and contribution, creating an environment that both employees and future candidates are eager to be part of. For us, it has further solidified our core values and sent a clear message to our team about who we are and what truly matters. The result is a natural sense of pride and unity that continues to inspire us.

How Can Businesses Best Support the Causes They Are Involved With?

Money is of course one way, however I believe this is only one part of the equation. My encouragement is to get involved, spend time with the causes you support and encourage your employees to do the same. Spend time on the ground, speak to the frontline staff, understand the impact of the work on its beneficiaries, and see first-hand the difference your support makes. This will not only compel you to contribute more but will impact your life in a really significant way. Sometimes when you are on the hamster wheel of life and business, it’s easy to forget what really matters, and I’ve found that spending time with the causes you support and rolling up your sleeves to get involved holds the power to awaken you to a deeper sense of purpose and meaning, and it’s likely going to awaken more inspiration and passion in your team too.

Working with Duro and 20/20 Levels has given us such a sense of purpose and meaning in our business, and I can honestly say that spending time with the young adults who go through the 20/20 Levels programme, and also working with the 20/20 Levels team, has been a real highlight in my life and career. My wife Ilaria and I are fortunate that we work in the business together and to share this experience as a couple has been truly life-changing and impactful.

So much so, that we’re now in the process of setting up our own not-for-profit called We Are Love, with our dear friend Sophie Ludmann who supports us in setting up our retreats at Mandali.

The experience we’ve created at Mandali has profoundly impacted not only the young adults in attendance but also us—as individuals, as a team, and as facilitators. Together, we’ve explored complex and meaningful topics, including race, equality, relationships, marriage, parenthood, healing, and trauma. It’s been nothing short of life-changing for everyone involved.

Charity Check-in 

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

Campaign to End Loneliness. This charity campaigns to make sure that people most at risk of loneliness are reached and supported. Support them here.

Samaritans. Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Find out more here.

Ripple Suicide Prevention. R;pple exists to ensure immediate mental health support is presented to individuals following a harmful online search. Learn more here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Partnerships for the Goals.