Louise Johns-Shepherd, chief executive of The Kids Network, chronicles a week that captures the full spectrum of charity leadership, from joyful mentoring trips to long-term planning for growth and impact.
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Louise Johns-Shepherd shares a week in her life as Chief Executive of The Kids Network, the London charity supporting children aged 8-11 through one-to-one mentoring to help them to build confidence, resilience, and meaningful community connections.

Before joining TKN, Louise led the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education and worked as a London headteacher and teacher, which continues to shape her child-centred, mission-driven approach to leadership. This diary offers a snapshot of how she balances strategy, partnerships and fundraising with the moments of connection that sit at the heart of the charity’s impact.

Sunday
I started my week in an unusual but joyful way: on a group mentoring trip with our mentors and mentees, gifted by our wonderful partner Big Bus Tours. An open-top bus tour of London’s sights feels like a rare treat for most Londoners, but seeing the city through the eyes of our children is something else entirely. I’ve lived most of my life in London and joined The Kids Network because I wanted to be part of an organisation that truly changed the future of London’s children. On the bus tour, I witnessed this in such a tangible way - meeting our mentors, mentees and seeing their relationships forming and flourishing. One pair had chosen this as their final meeting after a full year together, and it was a privilege to share that closing chapter with them.

Monday
I began the official work week looking at our dashboards, and while that might not sound incredibly thrilling, I enjoy tracking how our volunteer recruitment, referrals, and matches are shifting. It gives me a real-time sense of how many children we’re reaching and how quickly. WIth plans to scale our work, this data is absolutely key and underpins my fortnightly catch up with our Chair of Trustees. In better understanding how the organisation is working and moving forward, together, we use it to maximise impact and set the right tone for a year of ambition, growth and clarity ahead.

Then it’s over to our Fundraising Lead who is in the middle of a brilliant four-week campaign, supporting volunteers to complete runs, encouraging employer donations, and championing our work across London. Fundraising is the petrol that keeps our engine running, but it’s also so much more. It’s a powerful expression of how deeply people care about helping us reach more children. We often say it takes a city to raise a child, and this campaign is proof that people really do step up.

Tuesday
The day begins with our Schools Partnership Lead as we discuss expansion and new school relationships. With a background in education, I know first-hand the pressures that schools are under. It’s always a balancing act: ensuring we have enough mentors in the right communities so children can be matched quickly, and identifying where we can be most supportive and effective.

In the afternoon, it’s my weekly catch-up with our Managing Director. The pace at which we move is incredible, and our MD is the person who keeps the entire operation running. Systems and processes are so important, keeping everyone safe and accountable. I couldn’t do what I do without her.

Wednesday
Midweek, I carve out protected time for deeper thinking: writing pitches to new funders, shaping next year’s business plan, and planning how we can maximise our impact.

In the evening, I switch hats and head to a board meeting for Brixton House - a theatre where I’m a trustee. It might sound like a busman’s holiday, but I think being part of a completely different type of organisation sharpens my strategic thinking and gives me a fresh perspective for my work at The Kids Network.

Thursday
Our monthly team day is always something special. Our teams are usually out and about, so gathering everyone together in one place is rare. Three times a year we use this day to walk through everything that’s happened across the charity over the previous four months.

It’s a chance for us all to hear about the breadth of our work, with case studies shared by each Programme Manager reminding us why we’re here and ensuring children’s voices and opinions remain firmly at the centre of everything we do. It's also a time for us to connect with one another, and have fun, especially as our Comms Officer is putting together content for our TikTok so we spend a lot of time laughing (they are very patient!).

I end the day at an event hosted by one of our funders - a lovely opportunity to reconnect with colleagues across the sector and catch up with both new and familiar faces.

Friday
I work compressed hours which often leaves my Fridays free for other things, like my work in theatre and as part of the UK board of the Dollywood Foundation and Oscar’s Book Prize. This week, I recorded a podcast about the importance of reading in prisons and finished a children’s book review.

I then organise my diary and carve out time for next week’s priorities, as well as having a peek at socials so I don’t miss out on any of our heart warming and life changing stories!

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