Meet Our YLAB Team
Youth Leader Advisory Board
"Young people are essential for driving global and community change. If marginalised, society suffers. We must ensure they have opportunities to engage fully in their communities."
The BLESST Youth Leader Advisory Board consists of diverse young individuals from various educational institutions, united by a common goal of community growth. Guided by BLESST Directors, the board amplifies youth voices through meetings, events, and research to support local youth and families in Birmingham.
YLAB Representative Under 16
Mosiah Cole
I'm so grateful for this inclusive environment where support is constant and being myself is celebrated.
Amari Falconer
BLESST has helped me grow as a young man gaining more confidence and building on my communication skills and build me inside as a person and there’s many more to learn.
Lewis Reynolds-Kucper
Throughout my time participating in BLESST activities I have increased my levels of communication and teamwork skills to benefit my future.
Silas Nembhard
I am incredibly grateful to be a part of YLAB. Being involved has helped me grow in so many ways, especially by building my confidence and strengthening my teamwork skills. Through the opportunities, challenges, and support from everyone involved, I have learned to communicate more effectively, collaborate with others, and believe in my abilities. I truly appreciate everything YLAB has done to help me grow both personally and professionally.
Eline Behane
My time working at YLAB has increased my confidence in such a short amount of time, YLAB has given me the opportunity to prove myself it has given me more responsibility while my mentors have been helping me understand more and face other challenges while developing my skills.
Taijuan Sonko
I joined BLESST YLAB after participating in their holiday programmes. The values of the team intrigued me and influenced me to become apart of it, what I now aspire to achieve from being apart of YLAB is independence skills and teamwork skills, I hope to also have an influence on the decisions they make in the future.
Tisha Tomlinson
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Jackson Jacktoo
My experience on YLAB so far has been great, the people have been so fun and inviting, when it comes to putting pen on paper they manage to switch their concentration to the business at hand. It’s also helped me in a way. The thought of having to present my idea to a team never occurred, until now where working with all the people who make up YLAB feels normal.
D'or Hemmings
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Rkyce Campbell
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Ishaaq Rahman
I joined YLAB because I had a lot of fun at the BLESST after school youth club. I learned about topics I never learned about at school, such as grooming and county lines. They also helped me at school with my behavior. After the youth club finished, we wrote 100 words explaining why we wanted to be part of YLAB. I was interviewed for YLAB and then joined. Since joining, I've improved my understanding of grooming and county lines. Last month, I helped run the Summer Camp and enjoyed every last bit of it. With BLESST help, my behaviour at school has improved greatly. We appreciate the help and opportunities that we've received from BLESST.
Ismaeel Rahman
I joined BLESST because I saw the opportunities they had to offer. I first went to the youth club to learn about real world problems like grooming and county lines, but after each lesson, we would get taken out on a trip for free. After completing that programme, I was told to write 100 words to go on their YLAB programme where the youth give their ideas on how they want their youth club to be run. After 2 years of being part of the youth club, I am now part of the YLAB programme. This summer, I was helping to give ideas on how to improve the summer camp.
YLAB Representative Post 16-18
Alexandra Reynolds-Kucper
As of joining YLAB I have been given a plethora of opportunities. I was able to learn new things and grow as a person. YLAB has been like a family to me. The mentors have been there for everyone all the time, through thick and thin. We are a tight-knit community with open arms.
Janae Falconer
I joined YLAB because I wanted to gain work experience working with young people and become more involved within my community. During my time volunteering at BLESST, I have helped organise and take part in activities and events for children and young people, including helping with trips and producing fun and exciting innovative ideas for activities. I have also support other members of the team by helping set up activities, making sure young people are involved and engaged, and working together to make events run smoothly. I enjoy being apart of BLESST YLAB because I get to interact with different people, try new things and see the positive impact the youth club has and the children. Being part of a team has helped me become more confident when communicating with others and has taught me how to listen to different ideas, share my own ideas and support other team member when needed. Overall, my experience at BLESST YLAB has helped me develop my organisation, teamwork and responsibility skills.
Alfie Davis
I am peer mentor at BLESST. Since joining, I’ve realised how many opportunities come with being a YLAB member. Getting involved in things like the digital innovators project and the jacket potato project has helped me pick up skills in loads of different areas. It’s even boosted my confidence with presenting and speaking — I’ve spoken in front of people, which is something I never really would’ve done before. Being here has helped me grow a lot. The environment is positive, happy, and full of people who can just be themselves, and that’s made my character so much stronger than it was before.
YLAB Representative Post 18
Creshelle Campbell
Joining BLESST YLAB, it has significantly boosted my confidence and brought me new responsibilities. The journey has fostered strong friendships and positively impacted my well-being while deepening my understanding of social issues.
Serena Abena
Since joining BLESST YLAB, I've enhanced my public speaking skills and gained confidence in social situations. I've participated in various youth projects, including educational research and social actions. My mentors have been invaluable, supporting me through exam stress and other challenges.
Angel Aiwekhoe
Since joining BLESST YLAB, my confidence and emotional well-being have greatly improved. My mentors supported me in developing skills and managing the stress of balancing education and BLESST. I've participated in projects that raise awareness about important issues such as asthma and climate change.
Jenea Campbell
During my time on BLESST YLAB, I have gained confidence and enhanced my communication skills. This organisation has provided me with opportunities like serving as a youth inspector and participating in the asthma project, involvement in these has allowed me to expand my knowledge and abilities.
Nehamiah Barrett
Being part of YLAB has been a significant part of my personal and social development. It has strengthened my confidence and encouraged me to take on new challenges with a more proactive mindset. Through the guidance of mentors and the support of community, I've developed key skills in communication, teamwork and self expression. The opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects has also deepened my understanding of important social issues and the impact we can have as young people. Providing an inclusive and supportive environment where all are valued, empowered and be able to continue growing.
Gloriya Reynolds-Keuper
By joining BLESST YLAB, I feel like I've grown to be a more confident person and I am able to express myself more by helping others. I have developed my own boundaries and learned more about myself through my fellow friends in BLESST YLAB and with the help of the staff.
Jamil Charles
I am someone who is always looking for ways to grow, learn, and improve. My journey has been built on curiosity, ambition, and the belief that progress comes from taking action. I enjoy exploring creativity, staying active, and challenging myself through new experiences. Over time, I have discovered the importance of discipline, resilience, and staying focused on my goals. I am passionate about creating opportunities, developing my skills, and making a positive difference. I believe every experience, whether big or small, helps shape the person I am becoming. Outside of my ambitions, I value good conversations, new ideas, and moments that inspire me. I am continuing to build my future while enjoying every step of the journey.
Marcus Graham
I am a youth leader with BLESST, a group dedicated to safeguarding young children. I was given the role by Richard, the CEO, after he saw my background in college sports and my passion for working with young people. Through this role, I now coach different sports during our programs and help safeguard children properly. I’ve gained a Level 2 qualification in Safeguarding Experience in Youth Work, and Digital Innovation, which helps me create safe, engaging, and modern activities for the kids we support.