Name: Kiffer Weisselberg

Job Title: Chair

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

As a non-executive director and trustee of the charity, facilitating the performance of the Chief Executive and the charity's development; chairing board meetings.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

I have been active in the Charitable sector for over 10 years, in both employed and trustee positions, and remain employed as a non-executive director of The Sebden Group - a Steel Distribution and Service Centre company

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

At a Changemakers conference, working with Young Advocates.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

An actor

 

 

Name: Adam Nichols

Job Title: Chief Executive

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

I have overall responsibility for leading the organisation. This means ensuring that all our activities are successfully delivered, that we are financially secure and that we achieve our vision and mission. I have a particular involvement in our Public Relations activity - media, marketing and developing our relationships with politicians, policymakers and the wider youth and voluntary sectors.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

Prior to joining Changemakers in 2004 I was Head of Business Development at the career development and employability charity CRAC. Whilst there I set up InsightPlus, a national accreditation scheme for work experience, as well as a number of initiatives with employers, including PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Royal Mail, and public sector agencies, such as the Department for Education and Skills and the Learning and Skills Council. I also established an EU backed consortium to develop a pan-European framework for work experience.

Before that I spent two years as a Programme Manager at the National Union of Students where I was responsible for Stadia, a national skills development network, and the National Student Learning Programme, a peer training scheme.

My first job was as a Community Organiser with the Trades Union Congress, where I focused on recruiting young people into trades unions and encouraging them to take on active leadership roles. My work there became the subject of a BBC fly on the wall documentary.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

There have been so many it's really hard to pick one. I would say the day in October 2005 when Tony Blair endorsed our work in Prime Minister's Question Time ranks pretty highly. I always love spending time with our Young Advocates and I was particularly inspired the first time I met Ataf Sabir who has set up an amazing youth and community project called Green Light in Dudley. That was soon after I started at Changemakers and I remember feeling proud to be leading an organisation that makes such an impact on young people and the communities in which they live.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Either a 30 goals a season striker for Liverpool Football Club or Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Having recently turned 30 I am realistic enough to realise that the former objective probably isn't going to happen now, but I am still standing by my phone for the summons from Stratford upon Avon.

 

 

Name: Michael Evans

Job Title: Director of Civic Engagement

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

I have responsibility for directing and overseeing all the work Changemakers does in our Civic Engagement department. This includes developing new areas of work, developing strategic plans, researching the field, directing the delivery of our programmes in this department and developing policy and partnership work. In particular I look at the work we do with statutory services for Children and Young People, developing links to the public sector local government and the youth work sector.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

I worked as Manager of a Youth Led grant giving Charity in the North East called the Keyfundfor seven years. Prior to that I worked as a Detached Youth Worker and for a Homelessness Charity.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

I think my best Changemakers experience was the event we held at Parliament a while ago to celebrate the Young Advocates Programme.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Firstly a footballer, then I wanted to be in a band. I managed to do both things fortunately, although I was never able to buy my mock Tudor house or trash any hotel rooms in L.A!

 

 

Name: Laura Campbell

Job Title: Head of Organisational Development

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

I am responsible for Human Resources, IT, Premises and ensuring that we generally operate as efficiently as possible. I love system, order, structure and process (I know this makes me sound a bit weird) and I do tend to feel a bit faint when things aren't filed correctly but this does mean that I keep focussed on the job in hand.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

Before joining Changemakers I worked for WH Smith as a Training and Communications Manager, and prior to that for Abbey National in their HR and Training team.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Delivering the first ever Changemakers induction with Claire. We had 6 people starting at the same time so knew that we had to get it right - ensuring that the right level of detail was covered without sending people to sleep! It was a real milestone for Changemakers and I'm really pleased I was part of it.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I always find this question really hard! I don't think I really wanted to be anything in particular when I was growing up apart from wanting to be like my parents. Although now I am an adult and considered grown up, I'd quite like to try out the following: research analyst, wildlife documentary camerawoman, and physiotherapist to the England Cricket team.

 

 

Name: Robert Sadotti

Job Title: Trustee

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

Trustees have responsibility for overseeing the affairs of Changemakers, ensuring that the organisation is solvent, well run and in compliance with its objects, purposes and values. As a lawyer, I pay particular attention to any legal issues that arise.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

I am a barrister employed by an investment bank in the City. Before this I was at the independent Bar, practising mostly criminal law.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Attending a Trustee's 'Away Day' event, at which one of the team-building tasks was to explore the surrounding area (which was in some need of regeneration), talk with the locals, and come up with ideas to improve the community. This proved to be a challenging but rewarding task, which rather cleverly made me realise what it must be like to be a young person involved in a project with Changemakers, and for me crystallised the whole purpose of the organisation.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Even then, I didn't much like the idea of working! However, I used to dream about becoming a top-class football or tennis player.

 

 

Name: Richard Roberts

Job Title: Trustee

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

The Board of Trustees have overall responsibility for directing the affairs of the organisation ensuring it is solvent, well run and delivering the outcomes for which it has been set up." I also chair a Board sub committee that reviews the remuneration and performance of the CEO.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

At WHSmiths as a HR Director

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

After a very difficult period knowing that we had secured enough funds to continue operating.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Chef - although what is strange is that I have no recollection of what inspired me to want to be a chef. I am pleased I didn't pursue this route as my wife is a brilliant cook and she does not let me near the kitchen.

 

 

Name: Rajay Naik

Job Title: Youth Worker

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

I am a Trustee and am currently doing a Y-Act placement at the Cabinet Office. I was previously a member of the Y-Speak programme and worked on our Jus' Do It research into youth volunteering.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

Former Member of UK Youth Parliament

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Far too many memorable times but mostly times where all parts of the organisation come together: staff, supporters, partners, board members and young people. Always terrific fun and incredibly energising.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I always remember looking out of my bedroom window as a child and being impressed by the way the dustbin men would arrive with their grand van equipped with flashing light and fluorescent jacket and often recall being fascinated by that.

 

 

Name: Sarah Hodgkinson

Job Title: Trustee

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

Helping to ensure that Changemakers has a clear strategy, remains true to it original vision and that it complies with all the necessary rules and legal obligations. This means attending board meetings, and other meetings, and preparing for these meetings. Also dealing with other issues that come up from time to time. As I have an HR background, I become involved in HR-related issues. Also attending events in support of Changemakers and sometimes representing Changemakers at events

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

I work as chief executive of Getting on Board, a charity that aims to strengthen the governance of voluntary organisation, school and public bodies, by encouraging employers to support their staff to volunteer as noard members. I have been chair of a board of school governors.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Attending an event to celebrate the success of the Big Boost, together with Changemakers staff and a number of young people who had taken part in the Big Boost.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to work in HR, and then did.

 

 

Name: Chris Kemp

Job Title: Y Fund Programme Manager

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

I manage the youth opportunities and capital fund in Northumberland and Darlington, also known as the Y Fund and the Dosh in each area. I work closely with young people across the two regions in ensuring

i) they have full control over an allocated budget
ii) facilities and new opportunities are provided for young people across the north east

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

I studied International Development at Liverpool University before beginning my work at Changemakers.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Taking part in the Sucata Run, a car rally across Europe in the name of Changemakers.

What job did you want to do as a young person?

When I was younger I wanted to be a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle. When I was told this wasn't possible (by my careers advisor) I decided I'd quite like to be an illustrator. I'm now focusing on gaining life experience in preparation for my music career which will commence in my twilight years.

 

 

Name: Tiana Golden

Job Title: Project Co-ordinator

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

I work on the Virtual Volunteering Project which aims to provide volunteering opportunities online, wherever, whenever and however people want to volunteer

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

I have worked with various different Charities, organisation and local authorities helping to promote participation and the youth led involvement of young people in their services.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Staff conference they are always good and you get to find out what everyone else is doing.

What job did you want to do as a young person?

I wanted to be a vet.

 

 

Name: John Percival

Job Title: Youth Volunteer Advisor

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

My new role involves inspiring and engaging young people to participate in the creation and involvement of volunteering opportunities within their local area. I will also consult with young people to establish their needs, interests and aspirations to broker them into new/ existing Volunteering opportunities.

Previous I was the Programmes Administrator, providing admin support for the Big Boost 11-16 age range, which involved inputting applications on to the database, interviewing award winners, setting up payments and evaluating all the projects.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

Before Changemakers I worked at a regional charity called Keyfund Federation.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

My favourite Changemakers experience has been meeting like minded people who believe in what we do.

What job did you want to do as a young person?

What many young boys want to be... A professional footballer or more achievably, a PE teacher.

 

 

Name: Herbie Cooper

Job Title: Programme Coordinator

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

At the moment I work on loads of different programmes within Changemakers. Mainly I work with the virtual volunteers programme creating advice and good practice guidelines for volunteers and their volunteer coordinators. I've also been developing our vv website with YouthNet (one of our partners).

The other part of my job is working with Adam on some of the new projects that Changemakers is developing, like a National Institute for Youth Leadership. This involves anything from taking notes at meetings to writing draft papers for the DCSF!

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

After I graduated I volunteered at Pestalozzi International Village in East Sussex for 4 months before joining Changemakers as an intern.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Meeting people who really believe in what they do.

What job did you want to do as a young person?

An explorer.

 

 

Name: Jon Stacey

Job Title: Coordinator

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

I work across a number of programmes, but spend most of my time helping out on the Youth Fund - a young-person led funding programme.

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

I was a Grants Officer at the Big Lottery Fund.

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Sitting in with a youth panel, and being part of a really meaningful young-person-led decision process.

What job did you want to do as a young person?

Many things: policeman, doctor, train conductor, musical theatre actor, convenience store manager, opera singer.

 

 

Name: Mike Kelcey

Job Title: v Development Manager

What does your work with Changemakers involve?

Building volunteer capacity in the 3rd sector

Where did you work before joining Changemakers?

Detached youth worker in Cramlington

What has been your favourite Changemakers experience?

Working with the mental health service users and seeing them develop.

What job did you want to do as a young person?

Teacher