#iwill Young Evaluators Network

I am a youth representative, and have an interest in healthcare, research, and tackling inequalities affecting young people. With a drive to make a positive impact in the field, I aspire to address the systemic disparities that hinder the well-being and opportunities of marginalised communities. With this goal in mind, I have worked on various research projects, from how health inequalities affect young people to exploring how wider determinants lead to youth violence. With my passion for science, medicine, and addressing inequalities, I am eager to continue my journey of making a difference at all system levels. 

Some of my favourite things are dogs, cucumbers, photography and the ocean! My social action journey has taken a lot of different twists and turns but I'm most passionate about connecting people with each other and the environment. I especially care about youth voice being heard, and about giving people the platform and opportunity to share their story.  

I’m currently an aspiring medic studying for my A-levels, and call myself a bookworm, nature enthusiast, and life-long learner. I’m St John Ambulance’s Regional Cadet of the Year 2023 for the North East, and work with various other organisations including the NHS Youth Forum! Outside of this, I’m also a radio presenter and qualified gymnastics coach, and carried the Queen’s Baton in 2022 for my continued charity work (including my hair donations of nearly 50 inches to the Little Princess Trust). A final fun fact about me is that I’ve been vegan for more than five years! 

I am committed to youth social action - I volunteer at my local foodbank and local library, and I am heavily involved in youth voice and participation across lots of different boards and panels, as a member of UK Youth Parliament, Bite Back 2030 National youth board, and other charities and organisations. I want to puruse a career in law or politics. My favorite things about youth social action are the events, workshops, conferences, and the networking opportunities you have to meet other young people, decision-makers, and organisations. I can't wait to get started as part of the Young Evaluators Network and evaluate the #iwill Fund!

Over the past few years I have gained a lot of experience and knowledge working alongside young people from a variety of backgrounds. I have been a young ambassador for Sport Powys and the Youth Sport Trust, a swimming teacher and recreational assistant at my local leisure centre, and a football coach for my local football club.

All these experiences have given me the drive to ensure that young people’s voices are heard throughout the UK, no matter their background. I am very proud to be the only Welsh member of the Young Evaluators Network, and I cannot wait to get the ball rolling! Diolch

It’s important to have a work/leisure balance, which is why I journal to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I love getting involved in campaigns and charity events - it is rewarding to start planning and following initiatives through to the end. This drew me towards becoming a member of the Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority representing Youth Focus North West and Youth Leads, where we debate topical issues and begin to implement change in Manchester. I would love to pursue a career in law: I believe justice should be served everywhere to everyone regardless of your socio-economic background, race, religion or gender. However, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and justice will not simply occur. I believe planting small changes will be a step in the direction of achieving this. It‘s for this reason that I started my own organisation to actively encourage students across Manchester to get involved with their schools and community. 

As I grew up however, it became increasingly evident to me that our world was in crisis and we needed to take immediate action to save it. I am interested in understanding how new and old ideas can be brought together to create effective change. I also love looking at the links between all the different impacts of the environmental crisis and what these links mean for us. This is especially important as climate change and biodiversity loss does not just impact animals - the weather, food supplies, water reserves, global health, transport, the refugee crisis, desertification and shifting species ranges will change the earth drastically within my lifetime. I started volunteering with my local branch of the wildlife trust and started an eco club in my school. I gradually become involved in more and more projects and have even become a WWF youth ambassador. These projects have been vital in allowing me to make a difference even as a young adult.