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Episode 81: 
Jane Goodall’s Legacy: Roots & Shoots UK

Guests: Rosemary Reed and Jasmina Georgovska

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Marina Robb

Hosted by: Marina Robb

rosemary reed

Rosemary Reed

A pioneering director, producer, philanthropist, and co-founder of POW TV Studios (Power of Women).

Rosemary Reed has made significant contributions to media, social justice and philanthropy, with a strong focus on empowering women and underrepresented communities.

Despite leaving school with few formal qualifications, Rosemary pursued a unique path as a stunt rider, which laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to advocacy and creative media.

With over 130 critically acclaimed television productions to her name, Rosemary has made a lasting impact on the media industry. Notable projects include Living the Life, a popular Sky series that captivated audiences over three seasons with its candid, thought-provoking interviews, and The Power of Women, a groundbreaking series that highlights the stories of iconic, influential women and their journeys to success.

Another remarkable achievement is the award-winning documentary series Driving Force, hosted by Judy Murray OBE, which chronicles the inspiring journeys of elite female athletes who have reached world number one status.

The success of the series led to the Driving Force UK Schools Tour, where Rosemary and Judy visited 30 schools, predominantly in disadvantaged areas, to inspire young women to pursue careers in sports – particularly in fields such as football, boxing, motorsports and horse racing, where girls and working-class communities have historically faced barriers to entry. By bringing prominent figures to share their insights with these students, Rosemary established a powerful platform for inspiration and change.

In addition to her media accomplishments, Rosemary has been a tireless advocate for women's rights. In the 1990s, she established Central London's first Domestic Violence One-Stop Centre, First Step, which provided vital support for women and children in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and Women's Aid. Her commitment to this cause continues through her role as an Ambassador for Refuge, where she advocates for survivors of domestic violence, raises awareness, and mobilises support through public speaking and fundraising efforts.

Beyond her advocacy for women, Rosemary is deeply committed to supporting young people experiencing homelessness. Her work with Centrepoint, a leading charity focused on homeless youth, has been especially notable. She played a pivotal role in organising events, including the charity's 50th-anniversary celebration, collaborating closely with the team of Centrepoint's patron, Prince William. Rosemary's efforts have raised substantial funds and awareness for Centrepoint, reflecting her passion for social change and her ability to inspire others to take action.

Her dedication also extends to environmental and animal welfare causes. As a trustee of The Jane Goodall Institute UK, Rosemary plays a vital role in the Roots & Shoots school programme, which empowers young people to take meaningful action in their communities to protect the planet and its wildlife. In 2025, she led an innovative initiative for Roots & Shoots, incorporating virtual reality into educational outreach by creating a VR experience featuring Dr Goodall in a jungle setting, delivering a powerful message on conservation.
This will be seen in over 150 schools across the UK by 2026, further extending Dr Goodall's legacy of environmental stewardship.

Rosemary's leadership extends to her role as President of the 10:10 Club at Soho House Group, where she fosters mentorship and intergenerational collaboration, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for future leaders. Her multifaceted contributions to society reflect her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact across sectors – from media production and advocacy for women's rights, to environmental activism and supporting vulnerable young people.

Her achievements have earned widespread recognition, including a feature in The Female Lead's book Women Who Shape Our World, where she is celebrated among other trailblazing women who are breaking barriers and inspiring future generations. In August 2024, Rosemary was invited to deliver a TEDx talk, where she shared her insights on the power of awareness in driving social change, a lesson she has embodied throughout her remarkable career.

Rosemary Reed exemplifies the powerful intersection of creativity, advocacy, and philanthropy, with a clear vision for a more equitable, sustainable and inclusive world.

Jasmina Georgovska

DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH
Jasmina has worked for the Institute’s educational youth programme, Roots & Shoots since 2009. She became Schools Liaison Officer in 2022, concentrating on supporting existing schools and helping the programme reach new members.
Jasmina grew up in Bulgaria and was inspired to make a positive difference by watching Dr Goodall on National Geographic documentaries and films. 

Jasmina was thrilled to join the charity as assistant to the Executive Director, Education.
Jasmina is passionate about the importance of environmental education and helping young people appreciate the crucial role they and their actions play in the well-being of our planet.

In her spare time, Jasmina supports a rescue centre in Bulgaria; speaks up against animals used in experiments and entertainment and loves spending time with her husband and her two cats.

In this episode ...

Today, I’m joined by Rosemary Reed, trustee of the Jane Goodall Institute UK, and Jasmina Georgovska, Director of Outreach for Roots & Shoots UK — the global youth programme Jane founded to support young people to take action for people, animals, and the planet.

Rosemary brings a lifetime of work across media, philanthropy, and social justice — creating and producing over 130 television programmes — alongside deep commitments to women’s rights, environmental action, animal welfare, and to young people who are so often unheard. Her work with Roots & Shoots continues Jane’s belief that education isn’t about control or compliance, but about trust, imagination, and dignity.

Jasmina has been part of Roots & Shoots since 2009. Inspired as a child by watching Jane Goodall on National Geographic, she now works closely with schools across the UK, supporting young people to understand that their actions matter — and that caring for the world doesn’t begin with fear or pressure, but with connection and belonging.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to raise changemakers without breaking spirits. About listening, really listening, to children, and to each other. About how environmental responsibility can only grow where people feel stable, respected, and supported. 

  • Hope is described as an active choice - a way of meeting difficult realities with belief, responsibility, and small, purposeful actions.
  • True mentorship helps people remember what they’re capable of, shifting mindsets from limitation to possibility through education, trust, and belief.
  • Jane Goodall’s power came not from force or argument, but from listening deeply, holding conviction with humility, and responding through story rather than confrontation.
  • Information alone doesn’t move people - connection does. When an issue is felt, not just understood, action becomes possible.
  • Jane’s early experiences with her mother model an ethic of learning that protects curiosity, encourages exploration, and listens before correcting.
  • Care, kindness, hope, enthusiasm, determination, teamwork, and personal responsibility sit at the heart of this work - alongside the belief that every individual matters.
  • Rather than being managed or directed, young people are invited into leadership, supported to identify what matters locally and respond meaningfully.
  • Seeing a problem isn’t the same as registering responsibility. Change begins when awareness turns into even the smallest act.
  • Roots & Shoots (www.rootsnshoots.org.uk): Hands-on projects and immersive experiences - including thoughtful use of technology - help young people feel their relationship with the living world and offer small, tangible acts that build confidence rather than overwhelm.
  • TACARE (Take Care) is the Jane Goodall Institute's (JGI) community-led conservation program, started in Tanzania in 1994 shows that conservation only works when human dignity, stability, and community wellbeing are addressed first, because everything is connected.
  • The invitation is to listen more deeply, act more kindly, and take responsibility in small, grounded ways - carrying hope without collapsing under its weight.

Music by Geoff Robb: www.geoffrobb.com 

Links and Resources

Jane Goodall Institute & Global Work
Jane Goodall Institute (worldwide network, Roots & Shoots in 70+ countries)
https://www.janegoodall.org
Tacare (“Take Care”) Programme – community-led conservation and livelihoods work
https://janegoodall.ca/what-we-do/our-approach/
Reasons for Hope (film)
Website: https://reasonsforhope-movie.com/
Trailer / video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKWK7xpVe88

Roots & Shoots UK (Schools, Youth & Education)
Roots & Shoots UK – schools, youth programmes, free e-learning & resources
https://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk/
Roots & Shoots UK – School Tours (including immersive experiences)
https://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk/school-tour-2024
Roots & Shoots UK – E-learning platform (free for schools)
https://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk/elearning
Roots & Shoots Awards 2025 – celebrating young changemakers
https://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk/news-from-hq/jane-goodalls-roots-amp-shoots-awards-2025-celebrating-you
Roots & Shoots UK – Newsletter (2025 updates & stories) available via sign-up on the Roots & Shoots UK website.

Talks, Media & Inspiration
TEDx Talk – The Power of Awareness for Shaping a Better World with Rosemary Reed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzA7CKNzVS4

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