An appeal by
the Board of Trustees
Spring 2025
“We are deeply grateful for those who share our vision by financially supporting our Director and Co-Founder, Ben Solanky, and his family. However, as Ben's supporters' circumstances change, sometimes their ability to support him changes as well. There is therefore a continuing need to broaden Ben’s support base, to provide the security required to enable the work to continue and ideally to grow. We are therefore making this appeal for others to join us.”
Our Mission
We began Empathy Action in 2015 - with a vision to see an end to poverty, brought about by concerted, compassionate community action. Our mission then, and now, is to inspire and empower people to live as global neighbours, each doing all we can to help those living on the front line of the refugee crisis, in global poverty and those affected by the climate emergency.
We chose to be a voluntary organisation. This has been a particular strength. It has allowed us to demonstrate something deep about who we are and what can be achieved with a small group of passionate, committed and talented people - fuelled by belief, prayer and unwavering commitment.
Ben continues to be supported by a number of committed, part-time, volunteers, but he is the sole, full-time, unpaid volunteer. In order to relieve Ben of some of the administrative burden a decision has recently been made to employ a part-time administrative assistant.
We are indebted to Ben for his energy and passion and his, and our, strongly held belief that he is meant to be serving in this way. Ben does this in response to his deep calling to encourage each of us to take action to support those in need. Were Ben to feel the need to seek alternative paid employment to support his family and therefore had to relinquish his role at Empathy Action, the charity would very likely cease. This is the biggest risk to our mission.
Ben and his family have had incredible financial support over the years from friends and family, as well as a lovely home in Crowborough provided at a discounted rate by a charitable trust and occasionally holidays being generously gifted. He and his family have lived month by month for over 20 years on such support and we are so thankful that he and Angie still feel called to serve in this way.
We have a plan to grow the work of Empathy Action and increase our resilience. Ben is critical for this work to continue and for these changes to be put in place.
The Trustees have therefore decided to make this appeal to broaden the support for Ben and to secure the foundation of Empathy Action. If our mission to inspire and empower people to live as global neighbours resonates with you, I would love to have the opportunity to discuss with you how you might be able to help.
I ask - would you be willing to have such a conversation please?
Paul Williams, Chair of Trustees
Why are we making this appeal now?
Ben has been able to establish and drive the work of Empathy Action through the generosity of family and friends who share his vision. Inevitably the pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis has affected the ability of some to continue to support Ben and Angie and so we are making this appeal to recruit new supporters.
The challenging economic conditions of the last few years have had a major impact on Ben, Angie and the boys' circumstances. Whilst they are grateful for their new home in Crowborough, this was not a move they were looking to make and it has brought with it some substantial additional costs.
At present, Ben has very little to expect by way of income in retirement and so steps are being taken to ensure that he can qualify for a full state pension. This is likely to involve him in additional costs.
We and they appreciate that working as a full-time, unpaid, volunteer comes at a cost in respect of long-term financial security and this is something that together, and with your help, we are looking to address.
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Trustees of Empathy Action
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Paul Williams
Chair of Trustees
“we work to enable young people to glimpse the broken lives of so many in our world”
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Laura Cook
Trustee
“This is a chance to encourage and be part of the ‘small things’, but as Mother Theresa once famously said, we can do “small things with great love.”
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Mike Fawcett
Deputy Chair
“compassionate behaviour starts with heart changing… and is greatly helped by role models”
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Isabel Hodgson
Trustee
“empathy is not a ‘fluffy cat’ it’s potent and powerful and a driver for positive social change… it’s not only our responsibility to steward other’s empathy, it’s a privilege”
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Colin Crisp
Trustee and EA Management
“small changes in understanding for the participants can lead to big changes in how people learn to be more compassionate towards others”
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Natasha Williams
Trustee
“this vital ‘seed sowing’ work… I’ve seen the power of a changed heart… it’s transformational”
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Nigel Gavin
Trustee and Treasurer
“it's an inspiration, as well as a personal challenge, to see younger generations responding with compassion to the growing levels of need both at home and across the world”
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Victoria Mason
Trustee
“True justice, grounded in empathy, is not just the absence of oppression, but the presence of a voice for the vulnerable, helping them stand tall in their truth.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this appeal so important to Empathy Action?
We see an amazing future for Empathy Action, one that is pioneering newer and more imaginative, immersive workshops; working with more groups to create crafts that share moments of solidarity with the marginalised; and being a new type of charity for an age like ours.
Ben, as the Director, has seen us through our growth since Empathy Action was established 10 years ago and pioneered a vision to take us forward. We’re excited about what’s next for Empathy Action, but right now we need him and he needs us to walk alongside him at this challenging time.
Why is Ben not salaried yet?
There are two sides to this: Personal and Corporate
Personal: Ben (and Angie and their boys) have followed a path of calling to ‘serve the poor’, anchored in their deep faith, since 2004. This led Ben to choose to operate as a full-time unpaid volunteer. This has been their decision.
They are supported by friends and family. They have not only worked to help others address and understand poverty, but lived it themselves.
Corporate: When Empathy Action is in a position to fairly remunerate, the Trustees would welcome the opportunity to employ Ben, if he wishes to choose this path, and other core staff. The charity is a long way from that stage. We are looking to address this, but believe it will take time, energy and a lot of prayer.
In the interim, we are exploring the necessary steps to secure the level of support Ben needs to direct Empathy Action into the future.
How can we support the Solanky’s?
Ben and Angie are registered as full time Christian missionary workers and eligible to receive money directed through Stewardship - and we will be working through this mechanism for any additional financial support generously afforded to them.
We would be happy to talk you through any issues or questions you may have and give you the broader context to this appeal.
Can we support them as a company, charity or church?
Yes indeed. Please talk to us.
We don’t have money to give, but is there anything else we can do?
Absolutely. Prayers are the foundation of Empathy Action and indeed for Ben and Angie. We believe in the power of prayer and our Team meets, virtually, once a week to pray (usually on a Monday morning from 9.00am on Zoom).
