Put on your reading slippers and kick back with a glass of something glamorous. For it is time for another lighthearted interview with charity sector royalty, brought to you by the one and only Society Diary.
This month, Age UK chief executive Paul Farmer faced questions about topics including-but-not-limited-to pens, yeast extract and trend-setting.
You can read our conversation below.
Diary’s boss describes you as a “proper geezer”. Is that a fair assessment?
“I’ll take that from your boss – she’s ‘proper’ as well. I do live in London but am from the Thames Valley so not sure if that makes me ‘geezer’ material.”
Your first charity job was to “make Clerkenwell trendy”. Did you?
“Have you been there? It’s super trendy now. I worked there for two years, and it was all thanks to me!
“More seriously, the Clerkenwell Heritage Centre was a remarkable small charity that punched above its weight. There were two staff members and a few volunteers. Together we supported the community and created an area of regeneration. We worked with the local community to bring out the pride they had in their history and heritage and then worked with businesses to change the space and make it a destination. I still take people on walking tours. “
You led Mind for over 16 years. How many pens did you get through?
“Well, leading Mind was a huge privilege. We made a difference to the mental health conversation, and we did our best to improve lives and services, working with a brilliant federation of local organisations. We did have our moments, mainly with various governments, so I probably chewed through a few pens then.”
As CEO of a charity for old folks, do you consider yourself a lived-experience leader?
“Every time I go out to visit one of our local Age UKs or listen into calls on our national services like the Silver Line, I’m always learning.
“Like a lot of people, I didn’t think at all about my later life, until I got this job and then I realised that it was probably a good idea to think about my health, my finances and my wellbeing for the future. So many older people tell us that they wish they had known what they now know about later life when they were 60 rather than 80. That’s a big part of what Age UK is all about.”
Would it have made more sense to become an agricultural worker, given your surname?
“Haha very funny… Most of the charities I’ve worked with have paid attention to rural communities because of the increased levels of mental health issues, and loneliness and isolation many people face. It definitely caused confusion when I turned up at farmers’ events.”
What’s your most annoying habit?
“Trying to do too much.”
How would you rate your dancing?
“Suboptimal Dad.”
The best style. Where do you stand on Marmite?
“Love it.”
If you had to, which would you throw in the Thames – your CBE or 2024 Charity Award?
“Neither – they are the only possessions I have that my children actually want to keep.”
What would your autobiography be called?
“Keep Trying and You Might Be Lucky or It’s Never Too Late to Try.”
