Youth Sector

Alveena Malik, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of One Million Mentors, has 25+ years of national expertise in equalities and social innovation. She’s held leadership roles at UpRising and iCoCo, advised government on integration and migration, and serves as Non-Executive Director at The Christie NHS Trust. Alveena is also a Race Equity Advisor at Youth Endowment Fund. 

David has been Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund since October 2021, following a public service career spanning education, health, civil society, and community development. Previously, he directed the Office for Civil Society, advised on international governance reform, and worked in UK Civil Service roles. His leadership fosters community-driven change. 

Junior is a social entrepreneur, campaigner and youth leader. In his early 20’s, Junior was sentenced to 12 years in prison for serious drug-related offences. It was while in custody, seeing the cycle of re-offending and helplessness of other inmates, he vowed to prevent what happened to him from happening to others.

On his release, with the support of the St Giles Trust, Junior founded the award-winning SOS Project. What started in 2006 as a small pilot project in Southwark grew to become the largest ex-offender led project in the country; helping thousands of young people make a safe and sustained exit from serious violence and criminal exploitation through county lines.

Leigh, a JNC-qualified youth sector specialist, joined the NYA in 2017 after 20+ years in youth work across detached, open access, school, and community settings. He pioneered innovative delivery models in Surrey, champions youth voice and participation, and focuses on quality assurance. He holds a PGCE and is completing an MPA and was awarded OBE by the King in June. 

Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit since 2019, was previously Lambeth Council leader, championing a public health approach to violence and tackling violence against women. She also held leadership roles in London Councils and the Local Government Association, with 18 years as a councillor and strong ties to the voluntary sector. 

Louise Gittens is the Chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council since 2019, champions Devolution, Wellbeing, and social value-based services. Focused on Climate Emergency, Mental Health, and Poverty, she empowers inclusive decision-making, tackling inequality. A leadership coach, she promotes stronger communities, heritage, and sustainability in her vision for a compassionate borough. 

Sharon, with over 20 years in advocacy and children’s rights, has a background in youth and community work. A Glyndwr University graduate, she developed advocacy services, led Cardiff Youth Service as CEO, and championed statutory advocacy entitlements in Wales. Awarded an MBE in 2020, she promotes youth participation in decision-making. 

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need since 2016, has over 25 years’ experience in the voluntary sector. Previously, he led We Are With You and Clubs for Young People, chaired the national inquiry producing Dying to Belong, and held senior roles at Parkinson’s UK and Scope. 

Tim, former BPA chief executive, led Paralympics GB to record success, including seven medals at PyeongChang 2018 and 147 at Rio 2016. A key figure in elevating the Paralympic movement’s profile, he drove BPA’s growth as a charity. With senior roles at UK Sport and in communications, he earned an OBE in 2017. 

Emma Chivers is Director of the Youth Work Leadership Lab and a doctoral researcher in social and public policy. She champions evidence-informed approaches to support leaders and practitioners in strengthening youth services, making a difference in young people’s lives, and addressing the risk factors that reduce their involvement in violence.

I joined this programme to champion evidence-informed approaches that improve young people’s lives, supporting leaders and youth work practitioners to apply research in practice and help them identify the risk factors that can reduce youth violence.

I have dedicated 25 years to Cardiff Council Youth Service, working alongside passionate professionals and diverse stakeholders across communities throughout Cardiff. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a commitment to fostering connections that help create safe, welcoming places for people to live and work.

‘I have joined the Youth Exchange Partners pilot to assist in providing an evidential basis for the work we do in Cardiff.’

I’ve worked within the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership for over five years, leading on both strategic and delivery-focused initiatives. Before that, I was a Coordinator and Engagement Officer for a nationally funded Department for Education programme within Birmingham City Council. My career has spanned a range of educational and youth-focused charities, where I’ve held diverse roles supporting young people, driving community engagement, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

I joined this knowledge exchange to broaden my understanding of research and evidence, and to strengthen my ability to explain, share, and build capacity in others through the knowledge I gain. I’m particularly motivated to communicate what I learn in ways that are accessible and meaningful to those who may not have the same access or opportunities to engage with it. My goal is to bridge gaps in understanding and empower others to apply evidence in their own contexts.

Paul Glaze is the Chief Executive of CWVYS (Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services), the representative body for the Voluntary Youth Work Sector in Wales.

CWVYS represents, supports and provides a collective voice to its Membership of national and local organisations in their work with over 250,000 young people in Wales and within a sector which employs around 3,000 people plus 30,000 volunteers.

I’m joining the pilot to learn more about YEF, about approaches to sharing evidence amongst peers and to better support the organisations we represent in Wales.

My role is to ensure that community voice and  youth voices meaningfully influence the work and delivery of violence reduction initiatives.

I am really excited to be a Knowledge Exchange Partner as it’s essential that communities have access to data to drive their delivery in supporting vulnerable children and young adults and communities.

Sharon is the Commissioning Manager for Children & Young People at South Gloucestershire Council with responsibility for early help and preventative services. Sharon’s background is in youth participation having worked previously for the South West Regional Youth Work Unit, UK Youth Parliament and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Why I joined this pilot?
As a commissioner of preventative services I am keen to spend my limited budget wisely, looking for the interventions which could have the greatest impact and prevent behaviours and need escalating.

I have responsibility for some aspects of serious violent crime reduction and community safety and the implementation of the Young Futures Panels. I have worked previously in intelligence, and I understand the importance of organisations being aware of what they can do in a positive way when they communicate with one another.

I want to make sure that Lancashire is in line with the best practice with respect to knowledge sharing to ensure that all stakeholders are sighted on a common goal benefitting the most vulnerable in our communities.

Tim brings 25 years of experience in Youth and Community work across London. Tim has a particular passion for equalities work having led disability and LGBTQIA+ programmes, developed participation models, and championed inclusive youth voice. Beyond his service role, he campaigns with Naz Project London, challenging HIV stigma

Without up-to-date evidence local authorities risk making the wrong calls, making reliable data an absolute necessity in an increasingly challenging financial environment.