The End of a Chapter
As I prepare to step down as CEO later this month, I am filled with gratitude for an extraordinary two-year journey at Beyond Words. It has been an honour to serve this wonderful charity, and I’m delighted to hand over the leadership to Lucy Alexander, a trusted colleague who has been part of the Beyond Words family for seven years.
Why I Joined Beyond Words
I joined Beyond Words because I believe, deeply, that everyone should be empowered to make the decisions they are able to make - and to have as much control over their lives as possible. It is all too easy to make choices on behalf of people with disabilities, often because it feels quicker or simpler. But doing so takes away something essential. We all deserve to control what we can control.
That’s why Beyond Words matters so much to me: because pictures give people the space to find their own words, or to express themselves in the way that is most natural to them. It’s a powerful tool for dignity, independence and inclusion. I hope that in my time here, I have helped move this mission in the right direction.
Recent Milestones Worth Celebrating
Over 100 new Beyond Words Book Clubs Earlier this year we celebrated the creation of our 100th new Book Club at Mickleover Library, Derbyshire – this is a key milestone in our mission to establish 300 new Beyond Words Book Clubs across England by October 2026, thanks to a generous £350,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. You can help us reach this target by applying for your FREE box www.booksbeyondwords.co.uk/bciab
The launch of A Cheeky Seagull, our latest word‑free picture story co-created with Book Club members from Kent Book Clubs was launched at the Turner Gallery, Margate. It’s a fun story that highlights our commitment to accessible storytelling led by people with learning disabilities themselves. www.booksbeyondwords.co.uk/newsroom/a-cheeky-seagull-takes-flight-at-turner-contemporary I have also loved the exploratory workshops in the Surrey Hills with some Surrey Book Clubs as they explore their ideas for a book.
Our City Lit Co-Trainers were named finalists in the 2025 Learning Disability & Autism Leaders Awards! Working with Lucy to train new Book Club facilitators, the students at City Lit have grown in confidence showcasing how co-production truly underpins our model. www.booksbeyondwords.co.uk/newsroom/city-lit-co-trainers-named-finalists-in-2025-learning-disability-amp-autism-leaders-awards
Winners of our Art Competition were celebrated at the Palace of Westminster in June 2025. A unique privilege of this role is the access to Parliament that our Founder Chair Baroness Hollins can facilitate. What an honour it was to accompany the winners of the Mental Wealth Festival Art Competition to a Tea & Tour visit to the historic halls in June. Look out for an inspiring programme of events at this year’s Mental Wealth Festival.
And a whole swathe of other activities and developments. Over the last two years, I’ve supported Beyond Words to settle into our new home and community in Leatherhead, have built and supported a team of talented and dedicated staff, and attended so many wonderful events for and with people with learning disabilities, both locally and nationally.
Looking forward to a new era under Lucy Alexander
Lucy brings deep organisational knowledge, an existing rapport with so many of our readers, host organisations and stakeholders, and a clear commitment to accessibility. She knows the stories, the people, and the possibilities of Beyond Words inside out. I have every confidence she will take the charity forward with vision, care and excitement.
Thank you
I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported Beyond Words – to the staff and trustee team, the Book Clubs and facilitators, authors and artists, partners and funders and most importantly our readers. Together, we’ve read hundreds of stories, fostered connections, built confidence, and generated opportunities for creative expression.
With warmth and optimism,
Katie Smith
Outgoing CEO, Beyond Words
