Our network have direct experience of some of the biggest social issues facing the UK today and will receive training, media mentoring and speaking opportunities to amplify their expertise.
Find out more about our 2022 spokesperson training programme here.
Find spokespersons by expertise
Founder of The Calzy Foundation - to campaign for increased and accessible peer-to-peer support for young adults suffering trauma or crisis in their mental health; to de-stigmatise the conversation in young people around mental health and to work towards reducing the suicide rates in young people
CEO of Luna Foundation, a social enterprise dedicated to transforming the support for children after suicide
Founder and CEO of SELFA Children's Charity, based in Skipton. She helped to set up SELFA after identifying a gap in provision for children and young people in Craven over 15 years ago.
Founder of The Long Game, an employment charity that provides peer-led support for autistic Higher Education students and graduates.
Founder and Operation Director at Staywell Derby, a non profit social enterprise bringing a lived experience led proactive approach to wellbeing to the residents of Derby City.
Co-Founder of the campaign group JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association), now campaigning for acquittals for the wrongly convicted and achieving further legal reform.
Founder of Mothers Uncovered, set up for her registered charity Livestock in 2008. The Brighton-based creative support courses are facilitated by past participants, celebrating the woman behind the mother, while allowing feelings to be explored honestly, without judgement.
Founder of SIC, a CIC, social enterprise, bringing together her passion for mentoring, disability access and workplace inclusion with the aim of helping to close the disability employment gap in the UK.
Executive Assistant (Marketing and Communications) at National Ugly Mugs a charity which aims to end all forms of violence against sex workers through providing safety tools, victim support and resources to support broader health, wellbeing, and provide sex workers with greater autonomy over their lives.
Founder and CEO of not-for-profit Say It With Your Chest, existing to empower young people who are at risk of school exclusion or need support with their personal development to overcome obstacles and cultivate, happy, positive and fulfilling futures.
Founder of SODA, domestic abuse awareness Ambassador, educating and empowering others to enhance their knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse.
Co-Founder and Director of SKY Positive Minds, an award-winning charity that works to empower vulnerable women, girls and children from the local community who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual abuse or have been affected by mental health or other challenges.
Co-founder of Families In Harmony, a representative voice in campaigning for racial equity in kinship care.
Community Organiser at Citizens UK, a Complex Needs Team Leader at CRMC, a Board of Trustee at ASAP and an Ambassador of Voices Network and Red Cross.
Mentoring Scheme Co-Ordinator and Safeguarding Director at Our Place Support. Beth is passionate about using her own experiences to inspire others who have experienced trauma and issues with their mental health.
Chloe is a multi-disciplinary producer, who uses her expertise in communications, digital media, and youth work to promote healing, and growth within disenfranchised communities across the Midlands.
A passionate and active member of the care experienced community, and qualitative social researcher, with the hope of supporting better policy making.
Joint Chief Executive of the military LGBT+ charity Fighting With Pride and the principle leader of the Armed Forces LGBT+ community in the difficult years after the ‘gay ban' was lifted.
Advocate of creativity in health following her own mental health journey, Trustee at the National Centre for Creative Health, member of the Social Prescribing Network and Social Prescribing Academy
Proud kinship carer of three, Director of the not-for-profit Kinship Carers UK, and a member of Family Rights Group Kinship Panel. Donna is generating awareness and seeking change for future kinship carers.
Co-Founder and current CEO of Lives Not Knives, a charity based in Croydon that aims to reduce youth violence by engaging, educating and empowering up to 10,000 young people a year.
Audio artist who has multiple disabilities as a result of surviving a stroke as a teenager, and a passion for activism and equality, driven to create positive social change through art and the arts.
Campaigner with the not-for-profit JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association) campaigning on behalf of, and with, those wrongfully convicted and is campaigning to reform legal abuse by Joint Enterprise.
Self-advocate and Co-Founder of NDSA (Neuro Diverse Self Advocacy) voluntary organisation.
Founder and CEO of the Zinthiya Trust a charity set up in 2009 aimed at supporting women and families in Leicester and Leicestershire to be free from poverty and abuse.
Author and founder of Making Herstory
Poet and Founder of Unchained Poetry, a platform for artists with experience of the criminal justice system.
Creative Director and Rapper Ric Flo uses the art of rap and his experience in foster care to encourage positivity in young people through creative workshops whilst developing his own music with the Hip-hop Collective Jungle Brown.
Part of Hull-based women’s collective An Untold Story, peer-researcher for AVA and Agenda, campaigning for women facing marginalisation
Founder and CEO of Peer Power, an empathy led charity developed with young people which aims to heal childhood trauma and adversity through caring relationships, system change involvement, employment and peer support.
Founder of the BehindBras Fashion Foundation, providing support, new skills and meaningful employment for former women prisoners, in the fashion, retail and creative industries.
Previously a frontline homelessness support worker, performance poet Bryony is now training to be a social justice lawyer.
Award winning artist, curator, and director of Empathy Museum. Her award-winning immersive project A Mile in My Shoes explores how empathy can transform personal relationships but also help tackle global challenges and open up the public conversation around empathy.
Chief executive of Expert Citizens, an independent group who have all experienced multiple needs and give their ideas to services to help guide and shape them to improve the care of multiple needs citizens.
Domestic worker and founding member of The Voice of Domestic Workers, Marissa campaigns for justice and rights for Britain’s migrant domestic workers. She helps them to flee abusive families and find safety.
Writer, musician and advocate for young people. Simeon was a member of a notorious Birmingham gang and co-created the YouTube channel DatsTV to challenge, and provide an alternative to those channels and music videos that glamorise gun and knife-culture.
Hull Beats Bus Founder, committed to building confidence and giving young people the space to be creative through music and art workshops. Star of Sean McAllister’s documentary film A Northern Soul.
CEO Legal Action Group, a national charity committed to improving access to justice. Previously Director and solicitor at Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre specialising in housing. Sue provides support for marginalised and vulnerable groups so they can make their voices heard.
Founder of the JAGS Foundation, created in memory of her son. JAGS raise awareness of the consequences of youth murder and addresses problems affecting young people today offering peer mentoring in schools and works with agencies that help vulnerable young women.
Mike is the Managing Director of Nine Lives Media, the biggest factual independent programme maker in the North East.
Emma Wakefield is the Managing Director of Lambent Productions, where she has created a wide range of acclaimed documentaries, factual series, and education programming.
Anna Hall is the Director and Executive Producer of Candour Productions, and is best known for her 17-year enquiry into gang grooming.
Amelia is a reporter and author of The Windrush Betrayal, Exposing the Hostile Environment.
Danny Shaw is head of strategy and insight at Crest Advisory, a criminal justice consultancy, providing expert analysis on policing and criminal justice.
Simon Israel was the Channel 4 News senior correspondent for 25 years, although now officially retired he is still an occasional contributor.
Sheetal has been a journalist at the BBC for over 15 years, working across radio, TV and online.
Rachel New is the Creative Lives Producer at BBC CWR. Employed Creative by Lives shining a light on the work of grassroots creative groups in Coventry and Warwickshire.
David Brindle is the former public services editor of The Guardian. He enjoyed a long career with local and national newspapers and came to specialise in social policy issues, winning a number of awards for his coverage of health and social care, disability and the voluntary sector.
Barnie Choudhury is an award-winning journalist, and he also been a senior leader is several organisations. He is currently editor-at-large for Eastern Eye, the UK's number one south Asian national newspaper.
