About Be Longing for Change Consultancy
Founder: Sarah Barley-McMullen
Mission Statement
Working with communities and organisations to create the change the people want and organisations need.
About Be Longing for Change Consultancy
Be Longing for Change is a consultancy founded in 2022 by Sarah Barley-McMullen, an award-winning academic, change maker, and inclusion specialist with over 30 years of experience across higher education, community practice, and health equity.
Sarah is a nationally recognised Inclusion and Belonging professional who brings decades of practical and academic expertise to organisations seeking meaningful, sustainable change. Her consultancy is rooted in the belief that transformation happens when people and systems work together — guided by values, evidence, and shared purpose.
At Be Longing for Change, Sarah supports organisations to develop and embed inclusive practices that reflect the needs of both their people and the communities they serve. Her work spans strategic consultancy, inclusive leadership training, policy development, and research-informed evaluation — always with a focus on centring lived experience and equity.
As Chair of Pride in Belper and a leader in the Long Covid policy and research space, Sarah exemplifies a deep personal and professional commitment to social justice and community voice.
Values at Be Longing for Change Consultancy
- Belonging
Every person deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. We create spaces where everyone belongs. - Equity
We work to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure fair access, outcomes, and opportunities for all. - Community Collaboration
True change is co-produced. We listen first and build lasting partnerships with the communities we serve. - Integrity
We uphold the highest ethical and academic standards in everything we do. - Courageous Leadership
We lead with purpose, challenge injustice, and support others to do the same. - Lifelong Learning
We continuously grow our practice by staying engaged with cutting-edge research and evolving community needs.
About Sarah Barley-McMullen
Sarah is a transformative leader in the fields of education, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a background that spans Higher Education, Community Engagment, Young People, and Health Inequalities. As a seasoned academic and practitioner, she has influenced change across sectors — from universities and public services to grassroots movements and national healthcare initiatives.
Her research has been published in journals including the Journal of Health Expectations and the Journal of Global Health, and she has contributed to academic texts on youth, community development, and social care education. She is a trusted reviewer for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), a Peer Review Team Member for NHS England’s Long Covid Clinics, and has served as External Examiner at four UK universities.
A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Sarah is known for her strategic thinking, rigorous research skills, and values-led leadership. She brings deep insight, compassion, and a powerful sense of justice to every collaboration — helping organisations move from intention to impact.
Connections for Meaningful Change
The Power of Connection at Be Longing for Change
At Be Longing for Change, we believe that connection is the foundation of meaningful change. It is through respect, inclusion, and trusting relationships — between individuals, communities, and organisations — that real transformation becomes possible.
Connection is more than communication. It means recognising our shared humanity, valuing lived experience, and creating spaces where people can show up fully as themselves. When people feel genuinely connected — to each other, to purpose, and to place — they are empowered to engage, collaborate, and transform.
Our work is grounded in the belief that connection:
- Grows belonging — by building inclusive spaces where people feel seen, valued, and understood.
- Enables change — by creating the conditions for open dialogue, mutual respect, and collective action.
- Respects diversity — by cultivating empathy and challenging the barriers that divide us.
- Strengthens systems — by aligning organisational goals with the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.
We enable connection by facilitating brave conversations, building capacity for inclusive transformation, and designing participatory processes that centre relationships, respect, and trust. Whether we are working with a grassroots group or a national organisation, we prioritise connection as the starting point for impactful, sustainable change.
At Be Longing for Change, we don’t just build strategies — we build relationships. Because when people are truly connected, anything is possible.
Welcome to Our Blog Page
Stay updated with expert insights, advice, and stories. Discover valuable content to keep you informed, inspired, and engaged with the latest trends and ideas.
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Are You Kidding Me…?
Joking by using discrimination is far from funny. Humour is a powerful tool that can bring people together, create laughter, and foster positive connections. However, when discrimination becomes the subject of jokes, it crosses a line that undermines the principles of respect, inclusivity, and empathy.