‘Everyone’s journey is different’

The inspirations behind Dr Lewis Owens’s passion for service

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To call Dr Lewis Owens (Queens’ 1996) a veteran volunteer is an understatement. Lewis has been weaving together the threads of meaningful service since his Cambridge days, when working part-time as a carer to fund his PhD created an empathy with others struggling to make the most of their study opportunities.

We caught up with Lewis ahead of his walk from Addenbrooke’s to the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, via all 31 Colleges, to raise funds for the MRC CBU — just the latest in his volunteering narrative — to explore how his story of ‘giving back’ began and the inspiration behind it that keeps him going. 

Early struggles and new beginnings

Lewis’s early relationship with focus, motivation and study was patchy to say the least. Looking back, he reflects that a strong desire ‘not to fail’ sent him in the opposite direction, and he became anxious, rebellious and disengaged. He suspects this may have laid the foundation for his resonance with causes that champion the marginalised and dispossessed.

"I left school with no A Levels. I worked in a sandwich shop for a year before deciding to take myself back to the local comprehensive school and retake. It was quite an odd experience, with the other students being two years younger than I was. 

"I managed to scrape enough A levels and the only place that would take me was the University of Greenwich. And I'm hugely grateful for that, because something clicked there at last. Intellectually and academically, I thrived at Greenwich and did incredibly well, scoring one of the highest degree marks ever awarded at that time in the Humanities Department. And then I took a punt — no pun intended — and thought well, let's apply to Cambridge.

"Neither my parents nor my brother went to university. The idea of my ending up in Cambridge for graduate work was frankly quite ludicrous at the time!"

But there was no looking back for Lewis. Despite spending his first three months at Cambridge so terrified of the University Library that he studied in Queens’ chapel instead, he suddenly hit his stride. 

"I started going to the UL and in the end, you couldn't get me out; I left with the cleaners. It was my second home and I loved it there.

"For me, Cambridge was a dream come true and I am so grateful to Queens’ for taking a chance with me. But one should never forget where they came from and how they might, in a small way, inspire others."  

Building a personal network of service: how involvement and inspiration create a virtuous circle 

After receiving his doctorate on Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, Lewis built a career in education as a lecturer and an educational consultant and is a published author in literature, religion, philosophy and the arts. 

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Local newspaper clipping featuring Lewis and his path to Cambridge.

Local newspaper clipping featuring Lewis and his path to Cambridge.

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Lewis pictured on his graduation day at Queens' College, Cambridge.

Lewis pictured on his graduation day at Queens' College, Cambridge.

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Lewis visiting Queens' College, Cambridge as an alumnus.

Lewis visiting Queens' College, Cambridge as an alumnus.

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In 2017 Lewis and his son, Daniil, produced a number of books together, chronicling the adventures of a character named ‘Archie’. Sales of the books were split between a number of charities, including the Centre for ADHD and Autism Support (CAAS).

In 2017 Lewis and his son, Daniil, produced a number of books together, chronicling the adventures of a character named ‘Archie’. Sales of the books were split between a number of charities, including the Centre for ADHD and Autism Support (CAAS).

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Lewis with Richard Ratcliffe during his hunger strike for the release of his wife, Nazanin, from captivity in Iran.

Lewis with Richard Ratcliffe during his hunger strike for the release of his wife, Nazanin, from captivity in Iran.

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Lewis interviewing Sir Terry Waite at an event to support Hostage International.

Lewis interviewing Sir Terry Waite at an event to support Hostage International.

Does he recall his first steps into volunteering?

"It was a charity called Rays of Sunshine that granted wishes to sick and terminally ill children. And that really spoke to me. So, I started doing a lot of work with them and I helped to send one child to Euro Disney with his family, which was incredible, and I did part of a triathlon for them as well. And it made me feel that this was something important that I could continue doing."

Although no one in Lewis’s immediate family had gone to university, his father was extremely influential in shaping Lewis’s perception of a life lived in awareness of others.

"It's always been part of my interest and very much in my mind. I had a good teacher in my dad, who was very active in volunteering and still volunteers today. So, even from my teenage years, I was aware that there were people considerably less fortunate than I was and things that I could do to help.

"The difficulty that I sometimes find is that there are so many incredible charities out there, so many amazing organisations and people. Who do you help? Where do you start?

"I tend to gravitate towards charities that are meaningful to me, and I think it's important that a personal connection is there. I try to help people who are on the margins, who are vulnerable, who are trying to overcome adversity or have overcome adversity and are trying to give back, or who feel that they're not supported in conventional ways. Sometimes you meet somebody who tells you a personal story and you find resonance. But there's no rule book. It must come from within you."

Lewis’s voluntary work has included prison reform and education, autism research, neurology and neurosurgery, and hostages and detainees just to name a few. He finds that in the volunteering community, one connection often leads to another, helping volunteers to join forces and link up knowledge and resources.

"That's why I set up the Saint Martin's Challenge — because I wanted to put an umbrella organisation in place. We've supported over 50 charities now. That is just a drop in the ocean of the marvellous bodies out there doing tremendous work."

Walking with a football legend

Luckily, there is a vast, but quiet network of people keen to help. Arsenal legend, former England captain and erstwhile ‘Strictly’ contestant Tony Adams is just one of them.

Lewis takes up the story:

"Four years ago, I decided to walk from Queens’, Cambridge to Queen Square in London and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery for the National Brain Appeal. I had the route planned out, and it was going to take me a couple of days — and I thought, wouldn't it be great if I could finish the walk with somebody? It would help raise the profile of the National Brain Appeal and perhaps get some extra funding in.

"I got to know Tony through the Saint Martin's Challenge when I presented him with an award for his services to mental health and addiction. I texted him: ‘Tony, this is my plan. Do you know anyone who may be interested in doing part of the walk with me?’

"Within 3 minutes he texts back, ‘I'll do it. Give me a call’.

"I started at Cambridge and met Tony outside Emirates stadium by his statue, and we walked the final leg to Queen Square. And then, Tony being Tony, he just jumped in a cab and went home. In my experience, that’s typical: there are so many people who want to use their profile not for their own gain but because they genuinely feel passionate about giving back, and Tony is a prime example of that."

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Passion, compassion.... and time

Most of us have probably felt that if we can’t write a big cheque, our role in supporting charities is minimal. And yet giving is about much more than money. Time, effort, expertise — all of us have more to offer than we realise.

Lewis elaborates:

"The most important commodity we have is time.

"When I go to the hospital and sit with people who have had life-changing neurological conditions like stroke, almost all of them will say to me at the end, ‘Thank you so much for talking to me’. And you know what? That is more valuable than anything else. I will be totally honest: when I first started doing this it really affected me and I would have side trips to the toilet to shed a few tears because it was so moving that these people who are in hospital for weeks, maybe months, just want somebody to talk with them. We all need that. And you don't have to talk about anything heavy: football, cricket, the weather, politics, whatever. I always feel that that is the most satisfying bit of it.

"We all lead incredibly busy lives these days and perhaps there's a tendency to feel that the busier your life, the more successful or ‘authentic’ it is. But there's also a time to pause, stop and reflect.

And if you find you do have a few hours spare then you may want to consider doing something like just listening. It doesn't need to be on the ‘front line’. I personally enjoy being on the front line, so I like being in hospitals and prisons, but there's so much going on behind the scenes as well where help is invaluable."

What appeals to Lewis about being on the front line?

"I like the personal connection. I like sitting down with people and talking with them and I also like sharing my own experience. There can be a sense of ‘them and us’ — we volunteers come in and then we go away, and how can we really feel empathy with those we are helping? But I can share some stories of things that I've been through, and that can make a connection, and that connection can make all the difference. 

"We always talk about people with ‘lived experience’. It is absolutely crucial that we learn from these people. Whether that's a stroke patient, a prisoner, somebody who's autistic, or somebody suffering from mental health concerns, they are our teachers. I come away thinking, ‘I thought I knew about this, but I actually know very little’. It's humbling and enlightening."

A philosophy of volunteering and giving

Lewis’s upcoming walk in Cambridge for the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit brings things full circle.

"Volunteering weekly at the local hospital in stroke wards made the Cognitive and Brain Sciences Unit such an obvious choice for me to support. Their work has truly impressed me. Many of us will suffer a neurological disorder at some point in our lives; cognition and brain and mind health affect us all."

What is he looking forward to about visiting all the Colleges?

"My experience of Cambridge was so positive — especially finding such a wonderful community here. I wanted to visit all the Colleges because they are Cambridge and all are absolutely essential to the community spirit."

With his PhD days in mind, Lewis even set up a travel bursary at Queens’ to assist postgraduate students in need of financial support to attend academic events and conferences.  

Paying inspiration forward

Lewis would never consider himself an inspiration — although others would no doubt disagree! But inspiration plays a big part in his narrative. So, who inspires him?

"It's easy for me to do a sponsored walk: it's one day out of my life. The extraordinary people who work day in, and day out, are the people who inspire me. These are the people who really need the shout-outs and celebration: nurses, physios, occupational therapists, staff, and cleaners. 

"I would not want to give the impression that there is something ‘special’ about me. There is most certainly not. Others do considerably more. But if I can maybe share a little of the satisfaction it gives, perhaps inspire someone else to get involved, then I will be very pleased."

What advice would Lewis give to someone who wants to get involved and make a difference but doesn’t know how to make the most impact, or even where to begin?

"Small steps are always good. There's a tendency to jump in because you feel you must do something huge. That can be incredibly tiring, and incredibly challenging as well. And it’s not necessary to do something huge. So, try not to overcommit. You know, it's amazing how much difference even a couple of hours a week can make. And if you want to do more that's entirely a personal choice. But baby steps are always good.

"And, when it comes to volunteering, it is OK to do it for yourself as well. If you also give back to other people, then great. But it's OK to enjoy doing it, to find in it an expression of who you are and what you think is meaningful and engaging in life. Give in a way that’s unique and rewarding to you.

"I think that's a really important message."

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Lewis running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of Prisoners’ Education Trust.

Lewis running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of Prisoners’ Education Trust.

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Lewis pushing the trolley around Hillingdon Hospital.

Lewis pushing the trolley around Hillingdon Hospital.

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Lewis with former prisoner and now prison reform campaigner David Breakspear. St Martin’s Challenge event.

Lewis with former prisoner and now prison reform campaigner David Breakspear. St Martin’s Challenge event.

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Lewis with Anne Wafula-Strike and Gail Porter at St Martin’s Challenge event in aid of Samaritans. Also pictured: colleague Duncan Heath and Philip Selway, of Radiohead.

Lewis with Anne Wafula-Strike and Gail Porter at St Martin’s Challenge event in aid of Samaritans. Also pictured: colleague Duncan Heath and Philip Selway, of Radiohead.

Find out more or donate to Lewis's fundraiser walk
for the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit