Young Lives Leeds Advocates

Have an issue that you would like your advocate to raise at a future board meeting? Email advocates@val.org.uk

Woman with curly brown hair smiles, yellow lanyard visible, supporting youth advocacy in Leeds for Doing Good Leeds.

Helen HartChief Officer of Barca Leeds

Jo joined Leeds Older People’s Forum in July 2022.

Helen is the Chief Officer of Barca Leeds, an organisation that delivers transformational projects for adults, children, young people and families in Leeds, connecting them with services that respond to the needs of each individual.

Helen is the co-Chair of Young Lives Leeds, and represents the forum on the Leeds Children’s Partnership Board, Trauma Development Group, and at Third Sector Leeds.

Smiling older woman in glasses sits in Leeds office, representing Young Lives Leeds and youth advocacy.

Julia PrestonChief Officer of GIPSIL

Julia is the Chief Officer of GIPSIL, an organisation that provides housing-related services to young people, adults and families across Leeds.

Julia is the co-Chair of Young Lives Leeds, and represents the forum on the Leeds Children’s Partnership Board, Family Help Partnership Board, and at Third Sector Leeds. Julia is also co-Chair of the Homelessness Prevention Forum in Leeds.

Woman with long dark hair and glasses smiles at camera, Leeds, highlighting youth advocacy at Young Lives Leeds.

Laura WhittakerOperations Director for Children, Young People and Families at Barca Leeds

Laura is the Operations Director for Children, Young People and Families at Barca Leeds, leading young people focused services including FDAC, targeted family support, counselling, wellbeing and youth work-based services.

Laura is a Young Lives Leeds advocate on the Family Help Partnership Board.

Smiling woman with blonde hair in patterned blouse, supporting youth advocacy, photographed in Leeds for Doing Good Leeds.

Lucy OwenChief Officer at SNAPS Yorkshire

Lucy is the Chief Officer at SNAPS Yorkshire, a Leeds-based organisation that provides support services for children with additional needs of all kinds, and their families.

Lucy is the Young Lives Leeds advocate on the Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND)/Special Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) Partnership.

Man with shaven head and short beard in yellow T-shirt sits in welcoming Leeds office, Young Lives Leeds volunteering space.

Carl HarrisonChief Officer at LS-TEN

Carl is the Chief Officer at LS-TEN, a small, independent school that specialises in supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Carl is the Young Lives Leeds advocate on the 14-19 Partnership Board.

Woman with curly blonde hair smiles outdoors on green hills, supporting youth advocacy in Leeds with Leeds Advocates.

Tracey Simpson-LaingChief Officer at Home Start Leeds

Tracey is the Chief Officer at Home Start Leeds, an organisation offering emotional and practical support to families with at least one child under seven in the Leeds area.

Tracey is a Young Lives Leeds advocate on the Family Help Partnership Board.

Woman with long dark wavy hair smiles gently, representing Leeds Advocates in Leeds for Doing Good Leeds. Plain light background.

Shanaz Gul Director of The Heritage Cooking Company

Shanaz is the Director of a Community Interest Company, The Heritage Cooking Company. Shanaz has a background in youth work, which drives Heritage Cooking Company’s work supporting young people into catering careers through volunteering.

Shanaz is the Young Lives Leeds advocate on the Children & Families Scrutiny Board.

A woman from Young Lives Leeds smiles at the camera, wearing a white blouse; portrait for Doing Good Leeds charity section.

Louise ForrestDirector of Development and Partnerships at GIPSIL

Louise is the Director of Development and Partnerships at GIPSIL.

Louise is a Young Lives Leeds advocate and represents the third sector at the ICB Population Health Board for Children & Families.

Woman with short dark hair and pink jumper smiling, Leeds. Highlighting Young Lives Leeds’ youth advocacy commitment.

Rebecca StoneLeads the AIM Project at GIPSIL

Rebecca leads the AIM Project at GIPSIL. The AIM Project offers wellbeing and practical support to care experienced young people across Leeds in the transitional period between high school years 9-12, as well as offering aspirational activities and experiences.

Rebecca is the Chair of the Care Collaborative.