Welcome to the show.

In this episode I sit down with Stuart Lee, a former IT professional turned social entrepreneur, who is on a mission to tackle the housing crisis in the UK through his initiative, Let’s Make A Difference (Let’s MAD).

Stuart’s journey took him from a toxic corporate environment to finding purpose in helping others. After years of working in IT and supporting charities with tech services, he saw a critical problem: a lack of truly affordable housing. Many families and individuals were stuck in shelters with nowhere to move, simply because there was a shortfall between what universal credit covered and private rental costs. Through Let’s MAD, Stuart has created a unique sponsorship model where businesses and individuals can contribute directly to bridging this financial gap. The goal? To place people in the right homes, provide wraparound support, and ultimately help them become independent again.

We dive into:

✅ The realities of the housing crisis and why traditional solutions fall short

✅ How Let’s MAD works with businesses to sponsor rent top-ups and support services

✅ The power of grassroots community action and why small-scale change can have a big impact

✅ The importance of addressing social issues before they reach crisis point

Beyond housing, Stuart and his team also extend help in unexpected ways—like funding counselling for a young girl in crisis. His approach is simple: fix problems before they reach breaking point.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The housing crisis isn’t just about lack of homes—it’s about financial gaps and systemic barriers.

• Real change happens when people and businesses step up at a grassroots level.

• Sometimes, making a difference is as simple as starting a conversation.

☝🏾The ONE Thing:

Small, targeted efforts can drive meaningful change. By focusing on the gaps in the system rather than just adding more housing, Let’s MAD is creating real, sustainable solutions.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Stuart’s bold action is changing lives—and how you can be part of it.

👉 Connect with Stuart at letsmad.co.uk or on LinkedIn.