Delivered in Partnership with Social Matters.
Session highlights:
Duration: 2 hours
Facilitator: Social Matters Team
Cost: Please book a Training Conversation for more information.
From Catford to Tech Trailblazer
Ashleigh Ainsley’s journey began in Catford. He is a technologist, business leader, and consultant. Ashleigh co-founded Colorintech.org, a platform dedicated to improving access, awareness, and opportunities for minorities in tech, and during that time he established Black Tech Fest, the largest event of its kind in Europe. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2017 and featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2020.
Ashleigh began his career in strategy at Google before moving to London start-up Qubit, corporate KPMG, and then consultancy. He has worked on several engagements for the UK government at Downing Street as well as for the World Economic Forum.
From New Cross to Crossing the Try Line
Shaunagh Brown’s journey began at Somerville Adventure Playground in New Cross. Before turning professional in rugby, she worked as a gas engineer and firefighter and competed in multiple sports including hammer throw at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, professional boxing, discus, shot put, and Strongwoman competitions. Shaunagh started playing rugby in
2015, joining Harlequins Women in 2016 and playing every league game as they won the title. She has since won four Women’s Six Nations titles, represented England 30 times, and
been named one of the Evening Standard’s Most Influential Londoners.
From Deptford to the Premier League
Eddie Nketiah’s journey began in Deptford, starting out at grassroots club Hillyfielders FC. Scouted by Chelsea at the age of nine, he faced a major setback when released at 14 – but bounced back quickly, signing with Arsenal and turning professional at 17.
At Arsenal, Eddie made over 100 appearances, scored a Premier League hat-trick, and lifted the FA Cup and two Community Shields. In 2024, he moved closer to home, joining Crystal Palace, where he won a second FA Cup in his debut season, followed by a third Community Shield.
On the international stage, Eddie became England U21s’ all-time leading goal scorer with 16 goals, before earning the ultimate honour of representing the England senior team – a proud moment for him, his family, and the community that shaped his journey.
From Lee to Olympic Glory
Daryll Neita’s journey began in Lee, with her first training sessions at Ladywell. She has since become a triple Olympic medalist, and at the 2024 Paris Olympics she was the fastest British woman and the highest-ranked British sprinter in 64 years. A multiple World and European medallist — including two Golds — Daryll is also the founder of the Daryll Neita Athletics Community (DNAC), which works with over 100 primary school children to break down barriers to participation and inspire the next generation to take to the track.
From Catford to CEO
Dean Forbes’s journey began in Catford. From humble beginnings and through unwavering perseverance, he rose to become CEO of Forterro, Chairman of Forbes Family Group, and
Partner at Corten Capital. In 2025, he was named the most influential Black person in Britain on the J.P. Morgan-sponsored Powerlist — having ranked in the top three for three consecutive years.
From Brockley to Olympic history
Alex Yee’s journey began in Brockley, inspired by his father to take up triathlon. He is now the most decorated triathlete in Olympic history, winning Individual Silver and Relay Gold in Tokyo and then Individual Gold and Relay Bronze in Paris. He also won the World Championships in 2024.
In recognition of his achievements, Ladywell Arena was renamed the ‘Alex Yee Ladywell Arena’. Staying true to his Lewisham roots, Alex founded the charity ‘Lewisham to the World’ to inspire children to stay curious by introducing them to different activities and opportunities.
Professional Footballer
Eberechi Oluchi Eze is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal.
We are so happy to have Ebere partnering with us to help reach a wider audience and spread awareness on youth violence. Having grown up locally he knows the struggles some of our young people face and is a great example of what can happen when you have the right support and people around you.
Ebere said : “I grew up in Greenwich and there are the nice parts and the not so nice parts. I grew up in a not so nice part. It wasn’t the easiest life and you don’t have as much as other kids around you. Having the cage after school was where I got to focus on my football. The work Power The Fight is doing is important and I’m happy to be involved to give back to those that are in a similar position to what I was in.”
You can stay up to date with Ebere: @eze.
Freelance Contextual Safeguarding Trainer
Dr Lisa Thornhill has been devoted to safeguarding for twenty years. She has worked with young people and adults who have been harmed and those who have harmed others. Her doctoral research focussed on the impact on children who have a parent who has downloaded child abuse images. Lisa began testing and embedding Contextual Safeguarding approaches with the Contextual Safeguarding team in 2020.
Lisa has served in the public and private sector, for charities and Google. For many years she worked as an expert witness working alongside children, families and other professionals who experienced significant trauma. Lisa has extensive experience as a safeguarding trainer. She has presented at many conferences and been consulted by the media.
Lisa is passionate about research, innovation, policy and practice that centres young people’s rights and amplifies youth voice.
Operations Manager
Tracey has a strong passion for youth work from starting her career as a youth worker to becoming Head of Youth and Mental Services for an equality and diversity charity, her developed understanding of the issues young people face in their communities over the years has allowed her to deliver impactful and diverse youth programmes. With this experience and a wider interest in the charity sector, Tracey has joined Power the Fight as Operations Manager, to ensure sustainable and smooth operational delivery for Power the Fight. Tracey is driven to support young people to break any barriers that are put in their way and is motivated to create change in young people’s lives.
Senior Psychologist
Dr Ron Dodzro is a Clinical Psychologist, passionate about challenging inequalities in society that impact people’s wellbeing as well as amplifying the voices of marginalised communities. Ron specialises in trauma and PTSD, working with individuals, families, communities and systems impacted by community violence. He has an interest in developing creative, trauma-informed interventions that are accessible and meaningful for individuals and communities. With Ron’s interest in dissemination, he has researched and written extensively on the experiences of community violence, with features in Forbes, The Voice, The Psychologist, The Clinical Psychology Forum, and various blogs. He has presented at conferences in the UK and internationally and provided workshops to the NHS, HMPPS and community organisations to foster system change.
Director of Finance & Operations
Racheal is a dedicated finances and operations leader with over 20 years’ experience of working in the charity sector. She is committed to driving sustainable impact and passionate about transforming the lives of young people. She specialises in aligning financial strategies with operational excellence to maximise resources and deliver meaningful change.
Racheal has a diverse professional background. She served as Head of Corporate Services at Safer London, where she oversaw both the finance and human resources functions to ensure organisational effectiveness. As a Commissioning Officer for The Royal Borough of Greenwich, she managed allocated local authority resources to drive community-focused outcomes. She also held roles as the Finance and Contracts Manager for both The Princes’ Trust and Children’s Society, where she successfully managed budgets, contracts and financial operations to support impactful youth-focused programmes. Racheal’s work has involved working in charities dedicated to reducing youth violence through trauma-informed practices, helping to build effective operations that support life changing interventions for young people and address the root causes of violence and adversity.
Racheal has successfully led external annual audits, ensuring transparency and accountability, and implemented robust financial and operations systems to enhance efficiency and reporting. Her goal is to help organisations achieve sustainable growth, control, and scale up their operations to broaden impact. With a proven track record of optimising processes, leading diverse teams and managing multi million-pound budgets, she thrives in mission-driven environments, driving innovation and collaboration to advance the fight for social justice.
TIP Development Manager
Vicky brings extensive experience in community-focused service delivery within the health, youth, and social equity sectors. Her expertise lies in managing culturally sensitive interventions and creating safe, empowering spaces for vulnerable populations. Vicky oversees the implementation of our Therapeutic Intervention for Peace initiatives, strategically leading the development of therapeutic programmes that address violence, trauma, and systemic inequalities impacting young people and communities.
With a background in managing youth services for large cohorts, Vicky excels at building collaborative partnerships with families, schools, statutory services, and stakeholders to ensure holistic support and safeguarding. She has led multiple impactful programmes, established race equity initiatives, and provided therapeutic support, fostering resilience and growth in those she serves.
Vicky is passionate about creating lasting change through compassionate, evidence-based interventions, and is committed to promoting peace, well-being, and equity across diverse communities as TIP Development Manager.
Deputy CEO & Head of Training and Programmes
Laura has 10 years of experience in supporting young people affected by youth and gendered violence, as well as the professionals working with them. In recent years Laura has also developed training materials and programmes which she has delivered to professionals and community organisations. Laura has experience of embedding a contextual approach to safeguarding within an organisation and has been able to share examples of best practice in this area as part of the Contextual Safeguarding Network’s Voluntary & Community Services Collective. Laura’s work has been shaped by Solution Focused and Trauma-Informed practices and she cares deeply about young people’s participation, ensuring that services are shaped by young people to effectively meet their needs.
Trustee
William grew up in Argentina as a son of missionaries, has lived largely in the UK, but also in Italy, and the US, and has in addition worked in the Caribbean, Southern Africa, and Latin America. He has a keen interest in culture and the role of business in community development.
His most recent career was in Investment Management, where he headed his firm’s Institutional division, and before that, he was a director of a major Insurer’s international business in Latin America.
Currently, he is the Chairman of the Salvation Army’s UK Insurance Company (Sagic) and a Non-Executive Director of two other Insurance Companies, one of which is a Mutual and one is a social enterprise, as well as a Trustee of three Charities, and advisor to three others.
Therapeutic Youth Practitioner
Kyai is a committed and compassionate practitioner. With a background in working with diverse and vulnerable groups, she brings a wealth of experience in engagement and mentoring.
Kyai is passionate about creating safe spaces and fostering resilience. She works closely with young people to help them navigate the challenges they face, empowering them to make positive life choices. Kyai’s approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the complex social factors that contribute to violence, and dedication to working collaboratively with families, schools, and community organisations to drive meaningful change.
Youth Advocacy Leader
From a young age, Reyarna has always felt a deep passion for working with young people. Her own personal experiences growing up gave her a different perspective on life, particularly those living in difficult circumstances. This drive led her to pursue a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, where she gained a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that impact vulnerable communities.
While studying, Reyarna discovered a strong interest in working within culturally sensitive and trauma-informed environments. She realised that addressing the unique needs of individuals who have experienced trauma and recognizing the importance of cultural context was essential in making a meaningful impact. This focus on empathetic, informed practice became a core part of her approach and is something she is committed to carrying forward in her career.
Now, with a solid academic foundation and a clear vision, Reyarna is dedicated to supporting young people, helping them navigate through challenges and empowering them to build brighter futures. Her passion, rooted in her own life experiences, continues to guide her work and commitment to creating positive change in the lives of others.
Trainer
With over 14 years of dedicated experience as an educational consultant, youth trainer, and coach, Edwina has positively impacted the lives of more than 6,500 young people across the UK and internationally. Her passion for empowering young minds and fostering growth has been instrumental in shaping educational programs and initiatives that inspire and educate the next generation. Edwina brings a unique perspective to her work, combining educational expertise with motivational training techniques. Her experience spans primary and secondary schools, young people from challenging backgrounds and delegates from corporate settings.
Edwina has developed a reputation for being an advocate for child and youth development through education, delivering thought-provoking, transformative workshops and training programs which have helped raise aspirations, change minds, inspire change, increase hope and influence another way of thinking for change. She has worked tirelessly to create engaging and impactful learning experiences that have made a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of young individuals. Her mission is to remind every young person she works with that they have “Xtraordinary Untouched Potential” waiting to be realized and to “Break out of their limiting boxes” to achieve in life and remain safe and protected.
Edwina continues to be a driving force in the field of education and youth empowerment, constantly seeking new ways to engage, inspire, encourage and transform participants. Through her varied expertise, dedication, and diverse skill set Edwina continues to be known for her unwavering commitment to the success, safety and well-being of every child and young person she serves.
Family Support Worker
Hannah Williams has over 30 years’ youth work experience, previously working as a Drug & Alcohol Counsellor for Lewisham DAAT. She managed the London mentoring project in Lewisham for 4 years and was responsible for all of XLP’s mentoring projects whilst being Chief Safeguarding Officer for the charity. Hannah now works in a school. Her passion is to empower disadvantaged young people to recognise their potential, to give them opportunities to broaden their life experiences, and to support them to embrace the positive things that life has to offer them.
Senior Youth Practitioner
Nicole has dedicated over six years to supporting young people in various settings, including schools, youth clubs, and young offenders’ institutes. Throughout her journey, she has prioritised creating tailored sessions aimed at enhancing young people’s mental health and well-being.
With a focus on embedding culturally sensitive practices, Nicole has worked to ensure that organisations she’s been a part of provide inclusive support to all young individuals. She has also been involved in delivering training sessions to equip staff with the necessary skills to better serve their communities.
Nicole’s collaborative efforts extend to working with organisations such as the Violence Reduction Programme, NHS Health and Justice Team, and local councils. Through these partnerships, she has contributed to the implementation of meaningful projects aimed at supporting local communities.
Nicole’s passion for supporting young people, rooted in her own experiences growing up, underscores her commitment to trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches.
Counsellor
Dionne is a highly experienced holistic therapist, writer, educator, and group facilitator, committed to serving individuals, families and our communities through work centred in healing, justice, nature and creativity.
As a Black and African-centred practitioner, Dionne contributes to the emotional and social reparation found in anti-oppressive practice and decolonised therapy. Her work offers a therapeutic connection through listening, reflective practice, teaching, creative writing, nature, and the creation of spaces where individuals can come together in group and community to experience empowerment beyond a sense of feeling disenfranchised, traumatised and troubled. Being a trauma specialist, she is committed to working with the natural environment – the elements, sensory spaces, our ancestors, ancient African rituals, walking meditations and breath-work – to nurture healing and support change.
As a former journalist and editor, her passion for writing and learning is the perfect complement to her therapy work as she gently supports often traumatised, anxious and unhappy adults and young people, to explore creative writing to process their pain and their experiences and tell their stories in their own words.
Dionne’s therapeutic work includes consultancy and group work with a charity that supports survivors of sexual violence, with a particular focus on the care for Black, Mixed-Heritage, and Asian survivors.
She also loves her work as a counsellor with a performing arts school as well as corporate workshops and the co-delivery of a Decolonising Therapy course.
Counselling Psychologist
As a Counselling Psychologist, Jackson has had experience working with a wide range of mental health difficulties, with both young people and adults. Offering assessments and individual therapies in the NHS, he has worked with presenting difficulties such as, but not limited to, anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress, bereavement, and difficulties in family relationships. Jackson believes in a pluralistic approach, and that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ method when it comes to therapy. Drawing on his skills in psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive behavioural therapies, he offers flexible and bespoke support to help gain greater insight into one’s specific difficulties.
Trustee
Michael is Director of Development at The National Literacy Trust. Prior to that had a focus on high-value partnerships at homelessness charity, Shelter, building relationships with businesses, trusts and high-net-worth supporters. Previously, Michael was Director of Responsible Business at professional services firm Deloitte, and also spent five years in the corporate fundraising team at youth charity The Prince’s Trust.
Early on in Michael’s career, he launched the UK’s first youth-led radio station, in a bid to tackle rising levels of youth violence. Reprezent runs training programmes for young people, while giving them a platform to influence policymaking and challenge perceptions.
Digital Content Lead
With a background in social media strategy, Kemi’s career in the creative industry has focus on producing impactful digital content that tells the organisation’s story and spreads its message. She excels in creating engaging and far-reaching digital campaigns that connect with the audience and drive positive change.
Beyond her digital ability, Kemi holds a BSc in Mental Health Nursing and has 5 years of experience in the NHS providing mental health support to youth across London.
Kemi is dedicated to curating content with a meaningful impact through her unique blend of creative skills and mental health expertise.
Clinical Lead
Dr Winnie Chege is a Clinical Psychologist with experience working in a wide range of settings in the NHS, which include community, inpatient and outpatient services but also within the charity and educational sectors. She has worked with children, young people and adults. Her work has been shaped by her commitment to equality and she has a personal interest in contributing to service innovations and redesign in the community to improve access to services for marginalised communities.
Head of Fundraising
Kimberley has over fifteen years of experience in income generation and fundraising. Her skills have yielded over £6 million in funds for various organisations, while managing some of the largest partnerships within the creative industries. One of Kimberley’s most celebrated traits is her hands-on approach and unparalleled people management and motivation skills. As a result, she has developed a team of fundraisers who seamlessly bridge the gap between outstanding skills and an in-depth understanding of the charitable landscape.
Kimberley’s passion for philanthropy, young people, and her ability to inspire others have earned her well-deserved acclaim as a driving force in the world of fundraising. Her remarkable journey and accomplishments continue to serve those who strive to make a positive impact on young people in the UK.
Before joining Power The Fight, Kimberley held the position of Director of Industry Partnerships at ELAM, a renowned academy for 16-18 year olds wanting to access work within the creative industries. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in steering the academy to unparalleled success by fostering bonds with influential partners like Universal Music, Google, and Creative Assembly raising over 1 million pounds. Through her determined commitment to shared values and genuine relationships, Kimberley cultivated an impressive network of contacts, donors, and collaborators, propelling ELAM to new heights of achievement.
Head of Operations
Claire has almost 20 years’ experience working with children, young people and their families, with a particular focus on gangs and young offenders in some of the most deprived areas in London. Claire has a law degree and qualified as a barrister in 2001, being called to the Bar for England and Wales. She decided not to practice as she wanted to be at the core of prevention, and it was then that she started her role with Catch22 working with young people at a Youth Inclusion Project, a Youth Justice Board initiative. Claire’s motivation for making and seeing change resulted in her leading several services for Catch22 over a number of years, working alongside Hackney YOS, the Metropolitan Police and the Youth Service, whilst also leading the Pupil Referral Unit in Clapton for the Learning Trust. Claire decided to branch out and work with the national children’s charity School-Home-Support as Assistant Director of School Services, with a clear focus on getting children of primary school age in school and ready to learn. Claire then moved on to a national social justice charity, NACRO, leading a team of specialist legal advisers to support employers to recruit ex-offenders, before she joined HCT Group as Head of Community Transport and Stakeholder Engagement in 2014, a leading national transport social enterprise. Here Claire developed her commitment to making a difference and secured numerous contracts to be able to provide a service to a range of client groups across several London boroughs.
In 2020 an opportunity arose for Claire to work with the Partnership Board as a Strategic Manager at Pimlico Million, a resident-led funding and community development organisation, funded by the Big Local. Having spent almost one year as a freelance worker, she made the decision to return back to what she loved and where she started: in the young people’s sector with Power the Fight as Head of Operations.
Trustee
Anika Peterkin is an accomplished practitioner with over 20 years’ experience of working with children, young people, and their families. Working within an inner London Youth Justice Service (YJS) for over ten years, Anika is a champion and innovator of its holistic development and trauma informed practices. Throughout her career she has been an advocate of education equity, redressing disproportionality and young people’s access to mental health and well-being services.
With a background in Youth and Community work, international youth exchange, education and Youth participation, Anika is acutely aware of the complexities some young people face in changing trajectory. She holds a BA (HONS) in Social Policy, a PGCert in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling, professional qualifications in Effective Practice in Youth Justice and is trained in Contextual safeguarding. Anika is a former Honorary Vice President of the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and was nominated by her employers for a Pride Award for her services to young people.
In her spare time Anika sits on the Policy insight panel for the Anthony Nolan Trust and volunteers with Kings College Hospital in the promotion of health equality. She is a part-time “Dance mum” to her two daughters and lives in sunny South-east London.
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Helena is a Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years’ experience working with children, families and the professionals around them across CAMHS, the charity sector, education and local authority settings. She is passionate about community psychology and social justice approaches, and has extensive specialist training in narrative therapy. Helena’s commitment to community work has included working across different multi-disciplinary teams in CAMHS (in core services, Adolescent Mental Health, and Education Outreach), a 3 year secondment with the local authority to help develop the Headstart preventative, community-based mental health service with schools and youth centres, and developing/leading on psychosocial services for refugee and asylum seeking young people, previously as the service manager of the Dost Centre charity, and currently in CAMHS/LAC Health.
Bookkeeper / Finance Officer
Michelle has successfully managed and developed programs and processes in her own business for the past 15 years. Within the company some of her roles included contract managing , payroll and accounts. Prior to this she has worked in various different companies carrying out a variety of roles including, Customer services, Sales, Bank Clerk duties and a Customer Service Trainer.
She loves helping people and making their lives better in any way that she can. Alongside her previous employment, she created a community group with a vision to transform a local unused run down park into a place which was vibrant again, full of life and with every facility a child or adult could dream of having in there. She raised over £800k for the facilities, play area and forest school for the community and local schools to use for free.
One of her best achievements so far was In 2014 when she was put on the Queen’s birthday honours list for her services to the community receiving a British Empire Medal and she also carried the Olympic torch on Day 65 in 2012 through the London Borough of Havering borough. She is proud that her volunteer work has been recognised in this way and how it has changed the lives of so many.
Founder/CEO
Ben Lindsay OBE is founder of Power The Fight, launched in 2019, Power the Fight is an award-winning charity which tackles violence affecting young people. PTF creates long-term solutions for sustainable change and acts as a link between the community and policy makers.
Winner of the Charity Times 2022 Rising Leader Award and one of The Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 London’s most influential people for 2018, Ben is an experienced presenter, trainer and facilitator with more than 20 years spent working with high risk young people in the field of gangs and serious youth violence.
Ben began his career developing programmes in some of the most challenging estates in London (Brixton, Clapham and Lewisham). In 2003 he became a learning mentor at a primary school in the borough of Lewisham, South East London before joining the Lewisham Youth Offending Service, where he worked in a number of roles, including leading the early intervention team.
While at Lewisham, Ben developed several successful programmes including the ground-breaking knife crime prevention programme Double Edge for offenders of knife crime, which was featured in the ‘Gang and Group Offenders – A Practitioner’s Handbook of Ideas & Interventions’ published by the London Criminal Justice Board.
In 2010 Ben developed the gangs and serious youth violence strategy for Camden Council and then went on to work for the mental health charity MAC-UK leading their mini mac project.
Ben was Chair of the Greenwich Independent Advisory Group until 2016. Between 2016 -2020, Ben was lead pastor at Emmanuel New Cross in South East London. He currently sits on the Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn’s Violence Reduction Unit reference group and on the cross party Youth Violence Commission.
His first book, the No1 Bestseller, We Need To Talk About Race – Understanding the Black Experience in White Majority Churches was released in July 2019 through SPCK Publishing.
Ben was awarded an OBE in King Charles’ first New Years Honours List for services to communities in SE London.
Senior Youth Practitioner
Davinia has 10 years experience in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Criminal Justice and SYV sector, supporting children, young people and families with complex safeguarding needs.
Having trained with the ‘Women and Girls Network’, as well as working both as a frontline practitioner and Service Manager, her experience of developing and delivering culturally sensitive and trauma-informed work using an intersectional lens is a real string to her bow.
Over the years, she has created and delivered group work programmes in Schools, whilst also delivering training to professionals and families.
Davinia had also worked as part of the Contextual safeguarding network, working alongside professional’s to embed a contextual safeguarding approach in both policy and practice.
Digital Content Lead
For the past 6 years Yasmin has built her own online platform dedicated to uplifting and inspiring the community. Yasmin has developed a merchandise line, hosted events and presents her radio show on Foundation FM. Yasmin is also a youth mentor and has worked with a variety of charities in her local community delivering mentorship programmes for high risk students in schools.
Research Analyst
Dr Elaine Williams is a researcher and lecturer in Criminology at the University of Greenwich. She has a cross-discipline background in Anthropology, Sociology and Cultural Studies and her ESRC-funded PhD considered the politics of ‘knife crime’ in the context of deviance labelling. She is a critical criminologist, researching youth crime policy, politics and economics with a history of professional practice in youth and community development.
Elaine is also the author of ‘Rethinking Knife Crime: Policing, Violence and Moral Panic?‘
Professor Carlene Firmin MBE is an applied social researcher, concerned with safeguarding young people, social justice and inequality at Durham University. Professor Firmin has a particular expertise in social care responses to abuse between young people and ham in extra-familial spaces and places. In 2015 she founded the concept of ‘Contextual Safeguarding’ to enhance practice and policy in this area.
Lord Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of Woodford, is a political and equalities activist. He is the founder and director of Operation Black Vote and Trustee of the charity Police Now. Woolley has been a crossbench member of the House of Lords since October 2019, and has been Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge since October 2021. He was chair of the Government of the United Kingdom Race Disparity Unit Advisory Group until July 2020.
Lord Hastings and Lord Woolley talk to Ben Lindsay, CEO/Founder of Power the Fight on a politician’s perspective on violence affecting young people.
Lord Michael Hastings, Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE is currently the Professor of Leadership at the Stephen R. Covey Leadership Centre at Huntsman Business School, USA & sits on the Concordia Leadership Council. He served as Chancellor of Regent’s University London from October 2016 to October 2021. He has been appointed as the current Chair of the SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) Board of Trustees and is an NED at Saxton Bampfylde.
Dr Selina Stone is Tutor and Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College in London and completed her PhD thesis ‘Holy Spirit, Holy Bodies?: Pentecostalism, Pneumatology and the Politics of Embodiment’ at the University of Birmingham in 2021. Dr Stone’s research and teaching focus on the themes of politics, power and social justice, which she began exploring as a practitioner while working as a community organiser and programme director at the Centre for Theology and Community from 2013-2017.
Professor Robert Beckford is a British academic theologian and currently Professor of Black Theology at The Queen’s Foundation and joined the University of Winchester in 2021 as Director of the new Institute of Climate and Social Justice.
Jack Reynolds is Co-Founder and Chief Executive at Football Beyond Borders. FBB works with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are disengaged at school, helping them finish school with the skills and grades to make a successful transition into adulthood. They do this by providing long-term, intensive support, built around relationships and young people’s passions, in the classroom and beyond.
Jeffrey Boakye is an author, broadcaster, educator and occasional journalist with a particular interest in issues surrounding education, race, masculinity and popular culture.
Sayce Holmes-Lewis is the Founder & CEO of Mentivity, an inspirational mentoring organisation and alternative educational provision that provides aspirational support for young people, schools, parents and carers across London, Brighton, Kenya and Uganda. Founded in January 2016, Mentivity continues to change the lives of many young people through their adaptable approaches and a proven record of expertise in coaching, mentoring and holistic support for young people.
Dr Ichechim White is a medical doctor, working as a GP with a specialist interest in adolescent health and lifestyle medicine. She leads a clinic for young people to receive support for their physical, sexual and mental health needs. She believes adolescence is a crucial time for development and that it is imperative for health professions to partner with young people and promote community partnerships, to empower young people and their families to have healthy safe futures.
Youth Practitioner
Isatu’s passion derives from supporting children and young people within the mental health, the education sector and the community. She has previously worked in NHS CAMHS, local primary and secondary schools. Her involvement with working with young people highlights experience, commitment and the knowledge to continue offering the therapeutic support and interventions that PTF offers our community now.
She has recently completed an MA in Dramatherapy, whereby she applies Arts-based therapy using drama tools such as role play, music, art, movement and more to support clients with their expression and healing journey. An alternative choice to traditional talking intervention, it uses a person-centred and psychodynamic approach.
Previously, Isatu has dabbled in theatre and workshops with children, youth and adults, performing at venues such as Pleasance Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and The Young Vic Theatre in London.
Senior Trainer
Jason is a researcher in the areas of Race, Social Justice and Theology and is also a youth and community leader. He has worked in the religious setting for 5 years supporting young people from a wide range of backgrounds, as well as pastorally caring for parents and carers. This involved overseeing mentors for the Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) early intervention project addressing the growing challenge of youth violence in Lewisham.
He has lead on issues of race and justice with church leaders and academics in the UK and his MA thesis investigated the relationship between the Church, slavery and the ongoing structural legacy of anti-blackness.
Jason also has over 9 years’ experience in banking which included management, digital strategy and training. He worked with key stakeholders in delivering exceptional customer service, and has also lead community engagement projects, apprenticeship programs, and has mentored young people from deprived communities.
Executive Assistant
Yasmin has over 10 years experience in the charity sector, with a particular focus on empowering and mentoring young people within communities. Previously she has created and delivered an initiative to support mental and emotional wellbeing to at risk young women in schools. In the last 3 years she has served as a coach and public speaker to equip victims of trauma and those who are vulnerable to CSE. Underpinning this Yasmin has extensive capabilities for organisation and administration and was previously an EA to senior leaders of a network for churches, charities and organisations.
Yasmin believes in the value of young people and desires to see them reach their full potential, irrespective of their background or circumstance. With the help and support of an empowering community, she believes this can be achieved and is excited to outwork the vision of Power the Fight.
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Dr Richard Grove is a Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years experience working creatively within the NHS to adapt psychological therapies to meet the needs of those who are disenfranchised and marginalised. He completed his doctoral thesis examining attitudes and behaviours towards people with intellectual disabilities and he has a keen interest in examining the roots of social injustice and working to promote systemic change. Over the past 5 years he was the lead psychologist for a co-produced project working with young people affected by community violence. As part of this work he also helped design and develop services within the NHS and wider system that promote trauma-informed practice, including a specialist prison in-reach project and trauma-informed reflective practice for police officers.
Senior Youth Practitioner
An advocate for community empowerment, policy and systems change, Jessica has built trusted relationships with individuals across a range of settings. She has provided psychological support to refugee and asylum-seeking people, survivors of trafficking and young people at risk of exploitation, as well as frontline practitioners within voluntary and statutory organisations.
Jessica has a particular interest in social justice, anti-racist and community psychology approaches, having observed the impact that wider socio-cultural, political and economic structures can have on individual mental health outcomes. As a result, she is vocal about the importance of promoting systemic change to improve psychological wellbeing.
Jessica’s recent work has focused on addressing the impact of structural inequality upon young people, platforming the voices of those with lived experience through embedding co-production. She has led on anti-racism work across organisations, with her MSc thesis focused on the experiences of young Black adults who grew up in predominantly white areas.
Actor and Singer
Antonia Laura Thomas is an English actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Alisha Daniels in the E4 comedy-drama series Misfits and having a recurring role as Dr Claire Browne in The Good Doctor. She spends up to half the year living in Canada, where the series is filmed. Antonia most recently played Gretl Logan in Steve McQueen’s acclaimed TV series ‘Small Axe’ in the Red, White and Blue episode alongside John Boyega. The episode depicted the life of Black police officer Leroy Logan who featured in Season 2 Episode 7 of our PowerTalk series. We are so excited to have Antonia on board partnering with us to help communities end youth violence, as a great role model and someone with a passion for the future of our youth.
Antonia said: “I’m excited to support this excellent charity. With knife offences increasing to the highest number since 2011, the work Power The Fight do is needed now more than ever. Together we can empower communities to end violence that affects young people.”
You can stay up to date with Antonia on her instagram: @althomas1
Ellena Valizadeh is an Advisory Teacher for children with physical and medical needs in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Ellena has spent the last 15 years working as a teacher in secondary schools across London.
Claude was Head of Mentoring and Chief Safeguarding Officer at XLP. He now works in the youth offending service.
Martin Griffiths is a consultant trauma surgeon at the Royal London Hospital. He is the health service’s first clinical director for violence reduction.
Justin Finlayon is CEO of United Borders. UnitedBorders is a music education charity which promotes mentoring, training and creativity for young people.
Talia is founder of Youth Realities, an educating and empowering youth-led organisation based in London, tackling teenage abusive relationships. Youth Realities is for young people, by young people.
Youth Realities focuses on the root causes of abuse within teenage relationships. They address why the situation has occurred, breaking the cycle of abusive behaviours and tackling the systems that fuel them through different innovative platforms. Youth Realities are working on the ground with young people aged between 11-25, with awareness raising, mentoring and support work, outreach projects, training and self development programmes.
Dr Grace Robinson is a research assistant within the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Leeds and Managing Director of criminal justice consultancy, Black Box Research and Consultancy Ltd. Grace formally was Programme Leader of Criminology at Blackpool and The Fylde College. Grace has a history of working in the Youth Justice System. She recently completed her PHD to become Doctor of Philosophy focused on gangs, violence and exploitation at Edge Hill University.
Pastor Efrem leads Ecclesia Church in Lewisham SE London and leads UMS Lewisham, an independent school that helps young people aged 11-16 who are at crisis in their educational experience.
Jasmine Dotiwala is a British broadcaster, producer, director and columnist. Currently Jasmine is Head Of Youth Media at Media Trust. Jasmine also hosts regular on-screen Arts & Culture reports for Channel 4 News. She is also a regular pop culture pundit for platforms like SKY News, Metro online and London Live. She spoke at the House Of Lords on media subjects around inclusivity and diversity in 2017 and in 2018 was requested to give evidence at House Of Commons to MPs for the Youth Violence Commission around their 2018 campaign.
Trustee
Caroline is the Director of Chalk Lab, a consultancy that specialises in strategic design and collaborative initiatives to help churches and charities positively impact communities. Previously, Caroline was on the leadership team of London City Mission. She has also worked for the Mayor of London at City Hall, building partnerships between the public and private sector in the Commercial Partnerships team and on the London 2012 City Operations programme. Caroline has a passion to see families and whole communities flourish especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Trustee
Phill Gray is the COO for Care for Children, a global charity which partners with governments (mainly in Asia) to help create a positive alternative to institutional care through local family based care for disadvantaged children.
Phill has over 30 years of operations experience in both the commercial and non-profit sectors, which include organisations such as HSBC through to heading up Newday, a Christian youth festival gathering over 7,000 young people aged between 12-19 from across the UK and Europe. Phill has a heart to see young people encouraged, equipped, empowered and protected in order to fulfil God’s plan for their lives.
Trustee
Emily was the Head of Advocacy for the Christian fostering and adoption charity Home for Good. Before working for Home for Good Emily ran the busy Westminster office of an MP and led his re-election campaign for the 2017 General Election. Emily has a background working with children and young adults with additional needs and during her time in Westminster co-founded a cross-sector commission aimed at making the world a more autism-friendly place. She is passionate about using political advocacy and campaigning to see systems of injustice, disparity and oppression dismantled and to see the most vulnerable in society placed at the centre of decision-making.
Counsellor
Adeleka has a Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling and is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She also has over 15 years’ experience working with the most vulnerable children, young people and families impacted by adverse childhood and traumatic experiences.
Adeleka uses a person-centered and psychodynamic approach with a natural authentic style. She offers a safe and trusting environment to support individuals, to talk about thoughts, feelings or concerns that may be challenging or difficult to work through.
It is important for Adeleka to work within a holistic approach with the individual’s presenting needs at the forefront of her practice. She aims to support her clients to gain awareness, enhance self-esteem and seek appropriate solutions where possible.
Ruth is the Director of 0-25 years ministry for All Saints Peckham.
Femi is one of the youth pastors at Jubilee Church London and a member of the Jazz band Ezra Collective.
Henna Shah is an Activist and represents the organisation Charity So White who have a vision of a charity sector that is taking the lead on tackling and rooting out racism. They want to see a shift in fundamental structures across the charity sector, where the sector, leaders and decision-makers reflect the communities that they work with.
Dez Brown, is CEO and Founder of Spark 2 Life. He is also the author of the book ‘Convicted or Condemned?’
Lib Peck is a British politician. Currently she is Director of the Violence Reduction Unit at City Hall. Previously, she was the Leader of Lambeth Council.
Ibrahim is a 20 something digital entrepreneur and co-founder of GUAP, which has grown from the world’s first video magazine to becoming a multi platform youth media brand, covering all aspects of creativity and culture. GUAP produces content (both in print & online), events and has a youth co-creation agency.
Aika founded Just for Kids Law with Shauneen Lambe in 2006. She is a solicitor and youth justice expert with years of experience representing young people in criminal proceedings and particularly those with Special Educational Needs. Since April 2017 she has led the organisation’s criminal work after Just for Kids Law was awarded its first criminal legal aid contract. Previously, Aika worked for nine years as a youth specialist at a busy West London firm Lawrence & Co before joining Hodge Jones & Allen solicitors in 2014, where she ran their youth team as well as heading up programmes at Just for Kids Law.
After launching antiyouthviolence.com and engaging over 10,000 young people and pupils per year Ray’s journey of becoming a Desistance & Behaviour Management Practitioner took flight. By delivering groundbreaking interventions in Schools .Youth Offending Teams, Children’s Secure Units and Prisons his vision of reducing youth violence took his work regionally, nationally and internationally. After becoming a prolific Public Speaker, Trainer & Seminar Leader, Ray launched ‘Gangology’ a CPD workforce development programme for practitioners working with young people at risk of life threatening behaviour relating to Gun,Knife & Gang Culture. This groundbreaking program has been delivered in partnership with Youth Offending Teams, Probation, Social Services, Prisons, Children Secure Units and YOI’S. Today, Ray is seen as one the UK’s leading thinkers and doers around reducing Gang & Serious Violence.
Theresa Lola is a British Nigerian poet and writer. She was joint winner of the 2018 Brunel International African Poetry Prize. In April 2019, she was announced as the 2019 Young People’s Laureate for London.
TJ Koleoso is a youth worker and bassist from the jazz group Ezra Collective.
Leroy Logan is a former superintendent in the Metropolitan police. He retired in 2013 after 30 years’ service. He is also a former chair of the Black Police Association Charitable Trust.
John Sutherland joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1992, rising quickly through the ranks with many highlights – including commanding armed sieges, saving lives and helping to take dangerous people off the streets. He has previously been Borough Commander for Islington, Camden and Southwark. In early 2013, John suffered a breakdown and consequent battle with depression. He has written a book about his illness and recovery where he offers a personal insight into what it is to be a police officer in Britain today called Blue – Keeping the Peace and Falling to Pieces.
Ebinehita is a youth practitioner with experience of co-producing projects and activities with young people and professionals. She works with young people who are in or have experience of Health and Justice services. She also founded Milk and Honey offering young women a creative and expressive safe space for young women to thrive and take ownership of H.E.R (Healing, Empowerment and Resilience). As well as working at Juvenis and MAC-UK, Ebinehita is currently training at IATE as a Child and Adolescent therapeutic wellbeing practitioner.
Craig Pinkney is a Criminologist, Urban Youth Specialist, Lecturer and one of the UK’s leading thinkers/doers in Responding to Gangs & Serious Youth Violence. Academically Craig holds, a BA (Hons) in Youth & Community Development, PG Cert in Teaching and Learning, Master’s degree in Criminology and is currently undertaking his PhD in Social Science.
Craig Pinkney has over 15 years experience as an outreach worker, transformational speaker, gang exit strategist, mediator, mentor and filmmaker. Craig Pinkney is well known for working with some of the cities most challenging young people, potentially high-risk offenders, victims of gang violence and youth who are deemed as hard to reach.
Through mentoring, discussion, advocacy, sport, media, film and faith based interventions. Craig aims to give a platform to young people, which he believes will raise attainment and to promote positive social change. Craig Pinkney also is a lecturer in Criminology at (University College Birmingham), specialising in Crime and Justice, Youth Violence, Urban Street Gangs, Trauma and Black Men’s Desistance.
Lawrence Russell is an Operational Manager for Lewisham Youth Offending Service. He is the lead for group work, trauma informed interventions and staff development on understanding the nature, impact and consequences of online activity on young people.
Lawrence has developed a number of group work programmes, which are currently being evaluated by South Bank University.
Parish Priest, Brixton; Southwark Diocese Director of Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation.
Owen leads Beacon Church, author of the booking Crossing The Divide and is on the Newday management team. Newday is one of the largest Christian events for young people that takes place in the UK every year.
Amani Simpson was stabbed seven times when he intervened in a friend’s dispute over stolen goods that quickly escalated out of control and saw him confronted by a 20-strong gang.
Now a motivational speaker and community worker Amani Simpson leads Aviard Inspires, a youth-led organisation with an ever-growing passion for helping other young people reach their full potential.
His first film, Amani, based on his life has just been released.
Whitney is the founder and CEO of Project 507 Limited, a social enterprise that was established to change systemic conditions that generate violence by developing innovative solutions to create positive peace.
She has over 15 years experience as a frontline practitioner in the youth violence sector and works from a trauma-informed perspective, with training from the Tavistock and Portman Clinic. She is a senior associate member of the Association for Psychodynamic Practice and Counselling in Organisational Settings and a British Psychoanalytical Counsel Trainee. Whitney is also a student at the School of Oriental and African Studies, studying for a MSc in Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development.
Jeronne is the youth pastor for Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, SE London.
Leo is the youth pastor for Jubilee Church Enfield and is responsible for over 200 young people who attend the church.
Joe is a pastor at Kings Church London and is part of the Newday team. Newday is one of the largest Christian events for young people that takes place in the UK every year.
Andrez Harriott is a musician and youth justice practitioner who is committed to supporting transformation in the lives of vulnerable and often misunderstood young people. Andrez is Director of The Liminality Group and is a member of the renowned British RnB group Damage. He has spent in excess of 10 years working within the Youth Justice sector to support young people experiencing significant challenges.
Rapper, Author and Broadcaster
Isaac Borquaye, better known as Guvna B, is a rapper, author and broadcaster from London. He has released 10 albums, 2 books and has produced segments for the BBC and a football pundit for Sky Sports News’ Good Morning Transfers.
Guvna B said: “I know countless people that have been affected by youth violence. It happens so much that I worry we can become desensitised but youth violence is one thing that should never be normal. The only thing more heartbreaking than losing a young life, is if it could have been prevented. I support Power The Fight because they get their hands dirty and together, I’m hoping we can contribute to a safer society where young people can thrive.”
We are looking forward to having Guvna B on board to continue the fight against youth violence. To keep up to date with him you can follow his instagram: @guvnab
Art Therapist
Grace is an Art Therapist with over 16 years’ experience in mental health provision for young people and adults in statutory, community and charitable organisations. She has worked within inner-city London schools for over 10 years, including a Children’s Centre providing early intervention for children and families experiencing complex and developmental trauma, mental distress and bereavement, including families from refugee backgrounds. Grace strives for the language and culture of Art Therapy services to be creative and inclusive. She has developed a broad range of client-centred approaches and practices to reflect the cultural and social diversity of the people who engage in services. Grace is highly committed to respectfully meeting the needs of young people and families with an open and flexible attitude.
Clinical Supervisor
Dr Nicky Thomas is a Consultant Health Psychologist within the Departments of Haematology and Therapies at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals Foundation Trust (GSTT) and has recently retired as Head of Psychological Services at this trust and as Honorary Lecturer in health psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London.
Dr Thomas started a specialist health psychology service for people with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in 1997, which was the first of its kind in the country and was subsequently expanded to provide health psychological input for medical haematology and haemophilia patients. Dr Thomas has specialist experience in the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the management of pain in sickle cell disease. Her other clinical and research interest areas include; pain management; coping with haemophilia and other long-term conditions and cultural awareness training. She has been a speaker at international conferences for the British Psychological Society, British Society for Haematology and at the Sickle Cell Disease conference in the USA.
In 2013, Dr Thomas received an Outstanding Contribution Award from the British Psychological Society for her contribution to the field of Health Psychology Practice.
She is currently a Consultant Health Psychologist on the Infected Blood Inquiry as an expert contributor on the psychosocial working group.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Dawn Cutler is a Clinical Psychologist with over 14 years experience. Dawn specialises in work with children, young people and parents and has additional training in family work and in narrative therapy. For the last five years she has worked at a specialist children’s hospital. Prior to this Dawn worked for almost 10 years in community CAMHS teams in central London; she developed services and training in schools and children’s centres as part of her work in these roles. Dawn’s experience includes the strategic development of services both within the NHS and in partnership with communities and charities.
Trustee
Steve is Head of Accountancy and Consultancy Services at Stewardship. He writes and provides advice on charity finance and governance. He is a trustee for a number of charities and has been involved in various church leadership roles over 25 years.
Trustee
Tristan Newman is the Executive Pastor of Kings Church London, a diverse multisite church in South East London with over 2000 members. Sitting on the Senior Leadership Team he is responsible for the operational and financial arm of the church, leading both of these teams.
Prior to joining Kings in 2013 Tristan had a successful career in the UK retail sector, working within Moss Bros Group Plc’s Head Office for 15 years. Tristan was Senior Operational Team as the Head of Customer Services and Retail Operations Manager, overseeing the running and delivery of service quality to over 140 stores nationwide. During this time he gained a wide range of cross-departmental experience, from Audit to Business Development through to heading up their National Hire Distribution Service.
Trustee
Tinashe is a senior lawyer with over 15 years’ experience advising developers, international banks, development finance institutions, private equity funds and state-owned enterprises in complex, cross-border transactions. Tinashe is the General Counsel at an international financier, he takes charge of all structuring, documentation as well as regulatory and governance matters and policies and procedures.
Tinashe has previously worked for leading legal practices at Allen & Overy, Norton Rose Fulbright and Trinity International LLP, where he advised clients on a range of financings, including project financing, trade and commodities financing and off-grid power development.
He is a director of the International Lawyer’s for Africa (ILFA), a multi-award-winning international training programme for African lawyers.
Temi Mwale is the Founding Director of The 4Front Project, a youth-led social enterprise on a mission to empower young people and communities to live free from violence. The 4Front Project addresses violence by creating bespoke, youth-led interventions that are delivered in community, educational and criminal justice settings.
Temi is an LSE Law Graduate, who has been acknowledged for her campaigning and frontline work with young people. She is committed to global peace-building and empowering a generation to challenge and disrupt the systems that generate violence locally, nationally and internationally.
