Within the education sector, Alev empowers students to play a leadership role and take action on social issues. Drawing on her background in education, consultancy, and project management, Alev leads programmes and partnerships, as well as being a vital member of our Executive Team.

An experienced educator with 20+ years working in challenging environments, Kaytea leads on the Youth Commission for Leaders Unlocked, working with PCCs and police forces around the country. Kaytea manages our team of regional coordinators, and is a key member of our Executive Team.

Gabrielle manages two important projects for us in the Nottinghamshire region – the Youth Commission and MH:2K. Gabby started as a volunteer on the Youth Commission in 2015 and since then she has progressed to become a well-respected leader in her region.

Kelese supports two important projects in Nottinghamshire – the Youth Commission and MH:2K. She is passionate about supporting young people to have a voice. Kelese started as a volunteer with us, while studying Youth Studies at university, and since then she has progressed to become a member of the staff team in the region.

Folade is the project manager for the Mental Health Foundation Young Leaders project. She is passionate about facilitating safe, non-judgemental spaces for young people to share their ideas and experiences. Folade did an internship with us during her undergraduate studies, and then joined the staff team in 2020.

Daniel leads two important projects addressing young people's well-being and creative expression. MH:2K Derbyshire gives young people a voice on mental health provision in their region and Take the Lead Stories gives young people in Bristol and chance to write their own stories. Daniel brings years of experience in health inequalities, local government legislation and creative writing.

Emily is a project manager within our policing team, and is currently managing both the North and West Yorkshire Youth Commissions. Emily has a keen interest in public policy and is passionate about utilising co-production to improve policing and community services for young people.

Nadine is the Project coordinator for the Young Justice Advisors. Nadine started as a volunteer with us in 2015 and has been involved in youth engagement work for nearly a decade. Nadine uses her experience of the youth justice system to empower other young adults with lived experience to be a part of change.

Amania leads on the Young Advocates project and the Youth Endowment Fund’s Youth Advisory Board, supporting the development of young people with lived experience of the justice system. Amania has experience in Criminology and the Social Sciences, youth and community outreach, engagement, and workshop facilitation.

Romaine leads on Take the Lead Stories, which is a story writing and creative project he created as part of his internship with LU. His goal is to champion the voices of young people from unrepresented communities and backgrounds, enabling them to tell their stories and have them published in the places that they feel they will be most impactful. Romaine is also an experienced youth worker from Bristol.

Bhavan was a citizen researcher for the MH:2K Derbyshire project and progressed onto the role of project assistant after finishing her A - levels. Now as a psychology student, Bhavan is able to fulfil her passion for advocating for youth welfare and inclusion, helping to crack down on all areas of mental health stigma and tackle the ongoing mental health crisis.

Paris is our Project Coordinator for the IOPC Youth Panel. As a law student, she explored the impact of inequality on the rule of law which lends itself to her passion to increase accountability and confidence in the justice system. Paris has worked with Liverpool decision-makers and the CPS promoting diversity and social justice.

An experienced community organiser with over 10 years in the sector, Nairn leads our first project in Scotland – North Ayrshire Mental Health Commission – which will empower young people to create change around mental health. Nairn is passionate about empowering young people to have their voices heard.

Kojo is a project assistant for the Young Justice Advisors. Kojo was a member of the group for 4 years before joining the team in 2022. He uses his lived experience to help connect and engage with young adults to use their own experiences to drive change in the justice space.

Suzanne leads on our internship programme and project developments in Scotland. Having spent 30+ years working in the arts, education and widening participation, she is a passionate advocate for equality of opportunity and the empowerment of young people.

Tyra is a Project Assistant for the MHF Young Leaders and Youth LIVES projects. She is passionate about implementing preventative methods to address poor mental health outcomes, for example through mental health education. Tyra is enthusiastic about amplifying young people’s voices and creating spaces where they can represent themselves.

Based in North West England, Beau coordinates two of our Youth Commissions, in Cheshire and Lancashire. Beau started as a volunteer on the Youth Commission while studying Law at university, and since then she has progressed to become a valued member of the staff team in her region.

Based in London, Meg coordinates projects nationally within education, including the Student Commission on Racial Justice and the Student Commission on Sexual Violence. She thoroughly enjoys building strong working relationships with young people, building their confidence and challenging them to make big changes!