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Sam Meikle
Rekindling humanity in public services: Founder, Spark the Difference
Sam Meikle is the Founder and Director of Spark the Difference, a consultancy focused on improving health and social care experiences through human-centered design and engagement strategies. Established in 2016, the organization aims to rekindle humanity in public services, helping decision-makers understand and act on what matters to those receiving care.23
Background and Career
Sam's career spans various roles in healthcare and beyond, including significant positions in both central government and private sectors, such as Vodafone and the John Lewis Partnership. Her experience in these diverse environments has informed her approach to complex system design and stakeholder engagement. A pivotal moment in her career was driven by a personal experience with medical error, which intensified her commitment to enhancing patient experiences.23
Mission and Approach
At Spark the Difference, Sam leads initiatives that prioritize empathy, creativity, and rigorous analysis. The organization collaborates with NHS trusts, local authorities, and community organizations to revitalize services by focusing on genuine engagement with patients and professionals alike. Their mission emphasizes that often "the little things matter" in healthcare interactions.14
Skills and Recognition
Sam is recognized for her expertise in change management, project delivery, and strategic planning. She has been involved in national awards acknowledging the impact of her work in improving healthcare services.3 Her leadership style is characterized by warmth and engagement, making her a respected figure in her field.34
Highlights
I saw this fab sign on my lunchtime walk in Southwark Park.
It seems there’s only one direction from where we stand…
(Sharing in case your day / week / start of 2024 hasn’t quite gone according to plan.)
I am constantly learning from Ian D. Quick about what it means to be in public service.
So it was a real pleasure to interview him for the finale of his podcast, One Step Forward (https://lnkd.in/gpPHr-J), which is a series of oral histories about public service in the hardest times.
Two themes from our conversation - and the podcast overall - stay with me:
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The role of stories in helping us understand who “we” are in public service (beyond what flashy headlines tell us to believe) and how this understanding can help us navigate difficult transitions. And within this - bringing awareness of not only who gets to speak, but also who we actively listen to so that we do not marginalise, or exceptionalise perspectives.
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How do we have hard conversations about our individual, and collective, wellbeing without feeling guilty? Yes, there will always be a crisis somewhere that calls for our best contributions - AND - acknowledging this, how can we survive (and ideally thrive!) in what can be structurally dysfunctional situations, without feeling guilt about our wellbeing needs (health, safety, growth, relationships)? How do we create space for our time, energy and attention in both places? Because if [when] we wilt - or break - then we aren’t in a position to contribute our best to anyone.
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the One Step Forward podcast, I encourage you to connect with one or two new perspectives you might not yet have heard.
In this collection of stories, you'll hear from community leaders, humanitarians, clinicians, human rights defenders, researchers, photographers, journalists, graphic novelists, social entrepreneurs - from across the world, including Lebanon, the Philippines, the USA, Nigeria, Indonesia, Syria, Kenya, the UK and Democratic Republic of the Congo - to name just a few!
Huge congratulations to Ian on bringing these generous perspectives together, and a deep thank you to each person who bravely contributed their stories and experience for us to learn from.
#podcast #publicservice #leadership #wellbeing #burnout #resilience #community #hardtimes
