The idea behind the YCT Ambassador scheme is that we want to find dynamic people (of whatever age) who:
- Are committed to telling people about trusteeship and supporting young trustees
- Will help us publicize our activities and the activities of the organisations we work with. - Are prepared to represent YCT at events if required.
If you have particular interest in being an Ambassador please contact us. We will promote the scheme more widely in the future.
Leon Downer
Leon is a blogger, technology enthusiast and YCT volunteer who enjoys giving back, having partaken in several sponsored cycles across destinations throughout the UK and mainland Europe in aid of UNICEF and victims of the New Zealand earthquake.
Alexander George
Alexander is the founder of Generation 2 Generation, a salon for young professionals interested in current affairs. A LSE graduate, he previously worked for a City law firm and is due to commence a masters degree in International Relations at Cambridge.
“Alex Swallow has performed a great service by founding Young Charity Trustees. It is important to inspire young leaders to give something back to society, a trait which should remain with them as they advance in their careers. YCT provides a superb platform for young professionals to engage in trusteeship, help advance good causes and enrich themselves in the process.”
Matt Dronfield
Matt Dronfield is the Volunteer Coordinator for London Youth, a network of 400 community and youth organisations serving young people across the capital, his role is to creating quality new volunteering opportunities across their membership and work with youth clubs to ensure volunteers are recognised and accredited for their contributions to the community. Outside of London Youth, Matt is a BBC Trust Audience Council Member for London and a qualified Les Mills Exercise instructor.
“Young People can offer so much value to any trustee board, having previously sat on a trustee board myself as a young person I know just how much the support offered from organisations such as Young Charity Trustees can really help young people to develop, flourish and reach their true potential.”
Chris Shelley
Chris is Head of Democracy and Governance at NUS, supporting young trustees and trustee boards across the UK student movement.
“It has never been more important for charities to recruit new and passionate trustees, and I know from working in the student movement how many young, talented people there are out there wanting to offer their time to the third sector. Young Charity Trustees is a great organisation, leading the way in finding opportunities for those who are keen to get involved in a charity, and showing organisations that there are talented people waiting to become trustees.”
Leon Ward
Trustee of Plan UK and Interact. Blogger for ThirdSector on all things charity (http://bit.ly/Sz5VYf), special interests include digital, advocacy, communications and campaigns as well as fundraising. Former MP staff and local government advisor specialising in youth, mental health services, local authority governance and transport. Extensive experience of recruiting senior level managers and CEO’s of local authorities. . Also an experienced youth campaigner for many of the UK’s leading charities. Lastly, a 20 year old law student at the University of Westminster.
Nisha Kotecha
Nisha works for a national charity supporting vulnerable people on low incomes and also volunteers in a social media capacity for a Barnet charity. She was one of the earliest supporters of YCT
Tesse Akpeki
Tesse Akpeki is a consultant in leadership, management, governance and personal development. She heads the Bates, Wells and Braithwaite London LLP’s OnBoard programme. For thirteen years she played a role in shaping the governance programme at NCVO. Working with over 1000 non-profit boards nationally and internationally, she acts as a Leadership Coach, and undertakes governance reviews. She has authored 20 governance books and blogs for Civil Society Media in England. Clients have included TimeWarner International, NCVO, National Trust, BACP, YHA, Fostering Network, WaterAid, Action Aid, National Trust, UnLtd, Charity Aid Foundation, Centre for Strategy and Communication and Centre for Charity Effectiveness to name a few.
Lee Willows
Lee Willows is the Chief Executive of Trailblazers, an innovative national charity that supports young prisoners through mentoring, both while they are in custody and upon their release. Previously, he worked for UK Youth and The Prince’s Trust and has comprehensive experience in the field of youth engagement’.
“I am delighted to be supporting the work of Young Charity Trustees. My career has only been possible due to ‘adults’ believing in me when I was younger and giving me opportunities. I am now keen to support other young people in their journeys to become future leaders and firmly believe in the work and vision of what Alex has created.”
John Loughton
John is an experienced youth leader, social entrepreneur, campaigner, trainer and public affairs professional with 14 years of grassroots experience.
Growing up in a workless single-parent household in area of poverty and high social exclusion, John led his first campaign aged 11. John is best known for winning Big Brother Celebrity Hijack in 2008 and being elected as the youngest ever Chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament. He founded Dare2Lead in 2011. Having trained in leadership and human rights at the University of Connecticut he has worked in countries across five continents including Australia, Malawi, USA, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Germany.
Dr. Miles Weaver
Dr. Miles Weaver is an academic, trustee and active citizen. He is passionate about developing young leaders in civil society
Soraya Bowen
Soraya is Commmunity Development Officer at Epilepsy Society who describes herself as a proactive, positive, energetic and enthusiastic lover of people and creating healthy communities to empower change. Soraya is an active member of JCI London, a membership-based, voluntary nonprofit organization of 200,000 young professionals between 18-40.
Sabirul Islam
Sabirul Islam is an Award-winning entrepreneur and global motivational speaker who has spoken at over 600 events worldwide. He is a best-selling author and he set up both Teen Speakers and the Inspire1Million Campaign. His next big project is having his own 13-Week TV series in South Africa, similar to Junior Apprentice.
Luke Strachan
Luke is the Trustee Works Manager at Reach Volunteering, the skilled volunteering charity, connecting professionals with charities for over 30 years. He introduces volunteers with skills such as management, IT, finance, fundraising, marketing and law to charities across the UK. He believes that young people are an incredible asset to the governance role. Outside work, Luke enjoys art and design.
“Young people are among the most under-used resources in charity governance. Not only do they bring professional skills to the board but they also bring a fresh perspective and new ideas.”
Paul Darigan
Paul is the Social Media Manager at Girlguiding UK, the UK’s largest voluntary youth organisation, and a full-time geek.
He loves social media, and has a strong interest in both the practical uses of social media, and in the study of the use of social media in terms of democracy and social change, and what that means for campaigning and advocacy, particularly in the context of young people.
Felicity Jones
Felicity is a 22-year-old medical student at King’s College London. She is currently a Trustee of the student-led charity Medsin-UK, a network tackling local and global health inequities, and of Afrinspire, a charity supporting community-led development initiatives in East Africa.
“When I think how much I have gained since ‘stumbling into trusteeship’ by taking on a leadership role within Medsin, it astonishes me that there aren’t more young trustees. Having younger members on a board benefits both the charity and the individuals immensely, and I have been fortunate enough to work with numerous young people who possess the passion, skills and experience required to make a real difference within the third sector. Young Charity Trustees is doing fantastic work to encourage, engage and support charities and young people.”
Ellie Southwood
Ellie has been a Trustee at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Group of charities for three years and in summer 2012, she became Vice Chair (External Affairs). Ellie is also a Governor of a school for visually impaired young people with additional complex needs in North London. Ellie is a 2012 Clore Social Leadership Fellow and has a background in public policy, senior-level public and not-for-profit recruitment and consultancy. Ellie is studying for an MSC in Organizational Behaviour at Birkbeck College.
“There’s still a perception out there that a Trustee is a certain type of person – usually retired, white and male. For the social sector to be the best it can be, we need to draw on everyones’ talents. Young people are central to that. YCT is challenging perceptions about what a Trustee looks like and is helping the social sector on its way to being as diverse as the people we’re here to support.”
Stephen Roberts
Stephen is the Youth Engagement Manager for READ International and works with sixth forms and colleges across the country to promote volunteering and leadership opportunities for young people. Prior to this, Stephen was Vice President and Trustee of the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union.
“Young people have a huge role to play in driving charities forwards and Young Charity Trustees can be a really influential organisation in promoting opportunities and changing the way charities engage young people”
Roscoe Hastings
Roscoe is a Trustee of Sheffield City Trust, which is a Charity to provide facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare for the general benefit of the inhabitants of Sheffield. Roscoe works for the University of Sheffield and is responsible for supporting corporate governance, strategy and policy.
“Recently becoming a Trustee of a large charity within Sheffield I immediately saw the need to raise the profile of trusteeship amongst young people in order to ensure that diverse boards exist amongst charities. The benefits of diverse boards are for both young trustees and the boards they sit on.”
Rhammel Afflick
Rhammel sits on the Procedures Group (PG) for the UK Youth Parliament, leads on Social Media at the British Youth Council and often acts a Media Spokesperson for their campaign priorities. His main role as PG, is to inspire, support and train youth representatives from across London, and is therefore responsible for planning regional Conventions for over 100 young people. He also has responsibility for the organisations polices, procedures and national events. Outside of his 7 years experience of campaigning, he also coaches tennis at a vibrant centre in Wandsworth and runs his very own social media consultancy company.
Sean O’Halloran
Sean has been a Young Advisor in Waltham Forest since the team started in October 2007. He was elected to the board in January 2009 and served as Chair from April that year until October 2011. He currently serves as trustee with special responsibility for policy and communications. Outside of the world of Young Advisors, Sean works at YouthNet, the charity that runs TheSite.org (an advice website for young people) and as a freelance consultant, currently advising a central government department. He’s also a prolific tweeter and enjoys all things tech. When he’s not on the internet or at work, Sean is making mischief as a political activist.