An Interview with Nova CEO Lizzie Cho
It’s hard to believe that Nova started 40 years ago as a sub-committee of the Notting Hill Social Council helping people with photography skills. You’ve been with Nova for just under half that time. How would you describe what you’ve seen of the journey?
In my view, Nova’s journey has been one of adapting and growing in response to the changing environment, with a deep connection to its core values maintained across the decades: those of non-judgement, acceptance, positive energy, finding encouragement, forming friendship and connection in the least expected places, and continually learning and growing with and from each other.
What do you think were the pivotal moments that shaped Nova into what it is today?
With such constant change, it’s a challenge to pull out pivotal moments. I guess I would look to the societal changes, to which we have responded — from the rise in ubiquity of computing, the internet and our digital lives, to austerity, Brexit, the Grenfell tragedy, the pandemic, Black Lives Matter, and most recently, the cost-of-living crisis. These are the things that have shaped our work. Through 2016 and 2017 we added two new streams: the Family, Children and Young People Programme and the Social Change programme. Also, when Nova first branched out into Adult Education and Information, Advice and Guidance in 2006, those services were really important to many in the local community, and adding those programmes was a step change at that time.
In your view, what has been the single most impactful thing Nova has achieved?
I think the fact that we have kept going for 40 years with our values intact — being driven by need has meant a rocky ride, but every day someone leaves better in some way than when they arrived.
A person approaching 40 may be contemplating impending middle age. Where do you place Nova in its lifecycle?
Since 2016, Nova has been changing — we see some areas of work growing and evolving. Sustainability is a constant challenge, and I would like to think that Nova will continue to develop and be there to meet existing and emerging needs long into the future. To reflect your question, Nova as a person, I envision as a strong adult, experienced in life and full of energy and desire to achieve more.
Perhaps predicting 40 years forwards is asking too much, so where do you see Nova in 10 years’ time? What would be the biggest challenge to realising that vision?
In 10 years’ time, I’d like to see us reaching more people and our model of work being used more widely. Our core values and a ‘grassroots programme’, working hand in hand with an effort to influence through ‘reach programmes’, adopted to create greater change whilst still addressing day-to-day issues. Of course, I would really like to think that the cost of living will be greatly reduced, that people will have decent standards of living, housing and working lives. Nova will be working in learning programmes and connecting people across boundaries, enriching lives and supporting people to meet their potential — less dealing with urgent, desperate need…but maybe that is 40 years!
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