Strategy, leadership, and narrative for people building a more just world
I’m Jo Atkins-Potts, a campaign strategist, writer and advisor working across advocacy, public policy, and social change.I help organisations, campaigns and movements navigate complex social and political landscapes: clarifying strategy, strengthening public voice, and shaping approaches to change that are both effective and grounded in integrity.My work sits at the intersection of structure and story: bringing together strategy, narrative and leadership to help people move through complexity without losing sight of what matters.Alongside my advisory work, I write about leadership, grief, power, and what it means to remain human inside systems of change.
Work With Me
Social change work rarely happens in simple conditions. Organisations, movements, and leaders are constantly navigating uncertainty, competing priorities, shifting political landscapes, and pressure to deliver meaningful change.My advisory work creates space to think strategically, and connect strategy, narrative, and leadership with the values driving the work.
Leadership Development
Alongside organisational strategy work, I support leaders navigating the realities of power, responsibility, and decision-making in social change work.These programmes create space for reflection, strategy, and honest conversation about the pressures of leadership.
Strategy Clinic: Engaging with power without losing integrityThis clinic offers leaders dedicated space to think clearly about complex challenges, decisions, and direction.Join the waitlist to hear when the next session will be.
Individual Leadership SupportAlongside programmes, I also work with a small number of leaders individually who want deeper strategic thinking space and support as they navigate complex roles and decisions.I offer a free 30 minute intro call so we can discuss how I might help you. Book your slot below:
Leading on the LineLeading on the Line is a leadership programme for people working at the frontlines of social change.It explores what it means to lead with integrity inside imperfect systems: navigating power, responsibility, and the emotional realities of leadership.
Strategy & Advisory
I support charities, NGOs, campaigns and mission-driven organisations to navigate complex social and political terrain, clarify strategic direction, strengthen public voice, and develop approaches to change that are both effective and grounded in integrity.My work often sits at the intersection of strategy, campaigning, narrative and leadership, helping organisations understand where they are trying to create change, how change happens, and what role they are best placed to play.This can include:+ Campaign and advocacy strategy
+ Narrative and communications strategy
+ Movement-building and coalition strategy
+ Leadership positioning and public voice
+ Policy and public affairs alignment
+ Organisational strategy for social changeWorkshops & TrainingI design and facilitate workshops that help teams think more clearly, work through complexity, and strengthen their collective approach to change.+ Narrative strategy and public engagement
+ Campaign strategy in complex environments
+ Power, values, and ethical leadership
+ Media and leadership visibility
+ Power, integrity, and ethical leadershipThese sessions create space for reflection, challenge and practical thinking, helping teams move beyond immediate delivery pressures and make more intentional decisions about strategy, voice and impact.
Strategy Clinic Series:
Engaging power without losing your integrity
Who is this for?People working in charities and civil society organisations who are navigating whether, and how, to engage with political power at a time when anti-racism and equality commitments are being tested in real time, and when community trust, staff safety, and organisational credibility are at stake.Why attend?If you are trying to protect trust, inclusion, and organisational integrity while under political pressure, this session will help you make clearer engagement decisions, set boundaries, and think through practical safeguards - especially for the people most likely to feel the impact first.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Writing
Writing sits at the centre of my work.I am a poet and essayist writing about grief, female lineage, love, memory, and the emotional inheritance between women across generations.My work explores the invisible ways we are shaped by those who came before us. I am interested in grief not only as loss, but as a form of love that continues to move through the body, language, and time.Alongside poetry and essays, I work one-to-one with writers, poets, songwriters, and creatives through bespoke mentoring sessions focused on voice, imagery, emotional resonance, and the craft of meaningful storytelling.I am currently working on my debut book: a lyrical exploration of grief, love, and the continuing presence of those we lose. It reflects on how loss reshapes identity, memory, and the ways we move through the world.You can read my latest poetry and essays on Substack, where I regularly publish new work and reflections from my writing practice.
Poetry & Creative Mentorship
I work with writers, poets, songwriters, and creatives who want to deepen the emotional and imaginative power of their work.Rather than focusing on rules or formulas, my sessions explore voice, imagery, emotional resonance, structure, and the craft of saying something true in a way that stays with the audience. Whether you're developing a poem, refining lyrics, or feeling creatively stuck, each session is tailored to where you are and what you're hoping to create.Sessions are held online and include thoughtful feedback on work shared in advance where appropriate.If you're interested in working together, I'd love to hear from you.
ABOUT
I’m a writer, speaker, and strategy advisor working at the intersection of leadership, narrative, and social change.For over a decade I’ve worked across charities, grassroots movements, and international NGOs, helping organisations design campaigns, influence policy, and shape public narratives around complex social justice issues.My work has included collaborations with organisations such as Rutgers International, DIVA Charitable Trust, Amnesty International, the Jo Cox Foundation, the Open University, Bloody Good Period, and Dogs Trust.Writing sits at the heart of everything I do. Across poetry, essays, and creative non-fiction, I explore grief, power, integrity, identity, and the stories we inherit. My work is rooted in the belief that language can help us make sense of ourselves, each other, and the systems we live within.I'm a queer immigrant and long-time movement builder living in London. I bring a personal, political, and emotionally honest lens to my work, whether I'm advising organisations, speaking on stage, or writing. These days, you'll usually find me walking with my scruffy little dog, Pickles, cooking for friends, or chasing the next line of a poem.
Speaking
I speak about leadership, power, integrity, and the realities of working for social change in complex systems.My talks combine strategic insight with reflection on the emotional and ethical dimensions of leadership.Recent themes include:
• The quiet erosion of integrity in leadership
• Narrative, power, and public voice
• The emotional cost of social change work
• Leading with integrity inside imperfect systems
• What keeps us human in fractured times
Contact
If you’d like to explore working together, I’d love to hear from you.Get in touch below: