Paul Farmer, charity leader
About this episode
Paul Farmer discusses his journey in the charity sector and his advocacy for mental health and older people.
Paul Farmer is a charity leader who has spent his life campaigning, fundraising and changing the national conversation around some of the most challenging issues in our society. Currently at the helm of Age UK, he previously spent 16 years as the CEO of Mind, the UK’s largest mental health charity. Paul was born in Oxford, the son of a former Benedictine monk and a former nun. He read history at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where he met his future wife, Claire. After graduating, he found a role working for a heritage centre and fell in love with the charity sector, moving to the Samaritans. His experiences taking calls from those struggling with their mental health awakened a passion for working in the mental health sector. In 2006 he moved Mind, where he became CEO. He led a fifteen-year campaign that helped to change legislation, and the national conversation around mental health. For the past few years, he has campaigned for older people as Chief Executive at Age UK, and encouraged the public to prepare and plan for a happier, healthier later life. Paul lost his wife, Claire, to cancer in 2019. He lives in West London. DISC ONE: Think - Aretha Franklin DISC TWO: Part of the…
People in this episode
Guest: Paul Farmer
Topics covered
- charity
- mental health
- aging
- campaigning
- personal story
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Age UK, Mind
Books & works: Part of the Agnus Dei from the Mass for Five Voices
Places: Oxford
More episodes of Desert Island Discs
- Professor Dame Pamela Shaw
- Emma Grede, businesswoman
- Sir Roger Deakins, cinematographer
- Shania Twain, musician
- Professor Liz Morris, glaciologist
- Norman Cook, DJ and musician
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Desert Island Discs podcast page.