MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT
SEPTEMBER, 2024
A COMMUNITY BORN FROM THE POWER OF A SINGLE FOOTBALL, BUT SHAPED BY THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN IT!

This month we caught up with Laura Jones, Founder of Almas Libres in Barcelona.
Hi Laura, thank you for making time to talk with us. So, what inspired you to create a non-profit organisation for women?
I grew up in a small, rural village in North Wales, United Kingdom, I’m the daughter of a cleaner and a mechanic. My parents worked hard to put food on the table and clothes on my back, but we had very little money. Like many children back then, and even now, the streets became my playground, and I started playing football with the boys. I was a painfully shy child, mischievous but shy, and I lacked confidence. Football, however, gave me a sense of belonging in my community and taught me skills that I couldn’t learn within the four walls of a classroom. As a direct result of football, I earned a bursary to attend University, something that changed the course of my life, forever.
Watching my mother struggle to provide for me and my brothers also had an impact on me. Every penny she earned went to her children. She didn’t have the economical means, the time as a mother, or the skills having dropped out of school at a very young age to access opportunities or connect with like-minded women. I truly believe that if she had been empowered in this way, her life would have been different.
Growing up in such circumstances gave me the drive to believe in the power of sport and opportunity. I was fortunate to be given a chance to access education and with it comes a personal responsibility to shine a light on what’s possible if women are given an equal playing field, free from barriers such economic hardship.
Wow, what an incredible journey. It’s so inspiring to hear how both sport and education opened doors for you, and how your personal experiences have shaped your drive to create change for others. Why now, what was the turning point for you to say I want to start a non-profit?
During Covid, when the world stood still, I think, like most of us, I had time to pause, life had been one long conveyer belt until that moment from school to university and then working life and travelling back-to-back as a humanitarian. Covid was a moment to ask myself, “What is it that I want to do with my life and what impact do I want to leave behind? That question led me to realise that I had a chance to support women and girls in situations similar to mine and my family’s. If just one person is impacted by the work we do in Almas Libres, that person could possibly go on to create a ripple effect far greater than anyone can imagine. That’s what we, as women, have the power to do when we come together and support each other.

So, I know you well, you currently have a full-time job at Save the Children, you are also a qualified mountain leader, climber and teach doctors expedition and wilderness medicine in some amazing places around the world. In addition to all that, you Founded Almas Libres. You also recently deployed to Gaza, but I heard you took annual leave to do this. Is that correct?
(Smiles, takes a sip of coffee, and pauses) Yes, that’s right. I was invited to join the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency medical team to Gaza in April. This was outside of my full-time role with Save the Children. When the opportunity came up to return to the field and use my specialist skills in trauma, disaster, and conflict response there was no doubt in my mind that I would go. It’s all tied to that bigger question of what kind of impact I want to leave behind, and leaving the world in a better place than when I entered it, even if that impact is small. I believe it’s our collective responsibility as a global community.
And, when do you sleep?
(Smiles) I will admit I struggle to manage a work-life balance. When you’re dedicated to creating impact, there’s always something that has to give, and right now, for me, it’s often sleep. But knowing that I, and the team at Almas Libres, are making real waves of change in the Barcelona community keeps me motivated. That said, I’m learning that as a leader, prioritising time for self-care is essential.
What was your experience like in Gaza, how did you feel integrating back into day-to-day life? It must have been quite tough.
Experiences like Gaza undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. Throughout my career, I’ve worked hard to manage these, as Gaza wasn’t my first deployment, and I’ve witnessed things I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Yet, I still feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to make even a small impact where I could.
Returning from Gaza, however, was particularly challenging. One day I was immersed in the realities of Gaza and the on-going conflict alongside my colleagues, and the next, I was back in Barcelona, trying to balance my role at Save the Children, managing Almas Libres, and stepping back into being “Laura.” I also hadn’t told my family I was going to Gaza. Through my experiences in high-risk areas, I’ve learned how emotionally difficult it can be for them, especially with limited communication and intense media coverage of the risks. So, it was important for me to allow time on my return to connect with them.
Sport also plays a central role in integrating back into day-to-day life. It has always helped me to process and release the emotional weight from these experiences, which is why it’s at the heart of Almas Libres. Sport isn’t just about physical health – it’s a powerful tool for mental and emotional wellbeing as well.
I love how you’ve brought that focus on mental and emotional wellbeing into your work with Almas Libres. it’s not just about the physical aspect, but supporting the whole person.


How do you measure success in Almas Libres, and can you share any success stories?
(Smiles) For me, success is often found in the small, yet deeply impactful moments, a smile shared between members connecting for the first time through our programs, or hearing that someone was able to reconnect with their community, as a local, through Almas Libres.
I think (pauses) true success isn’t solely measured by numbers – while they have their place, the real significance lies in creating meaningful, lasting change. It’s the personal stories and moments of growth that truly drive me, and all of the team at Almas Libres. These experiences remind us that the true worth of our work is reflected in the lives we touch. That’s the kind of impact and lasting success that I aspire to.
It’s inspiring to hear how you measure success in such human terms. I imagine those small but powerful moments must really fuel your passion for what you do. So, what next for Almas Libres?
Watch this space, Almas Libres is just getting started and I, and the team invite you all to join this community, so together, we can create a movement that drives real change for women and girls, everywhere.

INTERVIEWED BY
Lucia Hanusova