YoungMinds appoints five new Trustees

Topic: About YoungMinds, YoungMinds staff

The new additions bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will significantly contribute to YoungMinds’ mission. The new Trustees are joining during the development of a new strategy for young people’s mental health. Their diverse backgrounds encompass extensive experience in anti-racism, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (AJEDI), strategy and growth, clinical and frontline mental health practise, people and culture and charity governance.

Alongside these appointments, YoungMinds has appointed a new Vice-Chair.

The five new Trustees and a new Vice-Chair are:

Gayathri is a passionate gender equality advocate with over 20 years of experience leading programmes that tackle poverty, inequality and promote the wellbeing of young people. Gayathri is currently a Global Lead for Reimagining Masculinities at Movember, a global charity focused on men’s health.

Find out more about Gaya

Heidi is the Diversity and Inclusion Lead at SOAS, University of London, where her role involves executing initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion. Collaborating closely with stakeholders across Higher Education, Heidi ensures the successful implementation and execution of strategies geared towards enhancing diversity and inclusion. Additionally, Heidi is a mental health practitioner, trained as a Humanistic and Integrative Counsellor, with her own private practice.

Find out more about Heidi

Michael is an independent social worker, therapist and clinical supervisor, currently working within public adult mental health services as well as in private practice. Michael has experience across a range of sectors, including mental health, child safeguarding, family violence and youth justice.

Find out more about Michael

Nadeem is a charity lawyer and general counsel, having worked in house in charities working with young people, and in mental health and humanitarian relief. Nadeem is currently Deputy Head of Legal at the Scouts.

Vilma is Director of People and Culture at the British Film Institute (BFI), and is a leading practitioner in HR, organisational development and culture. Vilma’s background is in Organisational Psychology, and her career spans many arts organisations.

Find out more about Vilma

Mems Ayinla, a current YoungMinds Trustee, has been appointed as Vice Chair. Mems is Director of Student Influence at University of Sheffield Students’ Union and previously worked as a civil servant in the Department for Education.

Find out more about Mems

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest trustees and Vice-Chair joining us at a significant stage in our strategy development. This is an incredibly important time for YoungMinds as more young people than ever are struggling with their mental health. Our new trustees bring invaluable expertise from a diverse range of backgrounds. They will play a crucial role in shaping our strategy, helping YoungMinds to meet the increasing demand and give young people a voice on issues that directly impact them. I look forward to working with them.

Caroline Hope, YoungMinds’ Chair of Trustees
I am delighted to accept the position of Vice-chair. It is a great privilege to continue contributing to the long-term vision of YoungMinds, and I am excited to collaborate with our excellent team to make change in the mental health sector, ensuring that all young minds receive the support they need.

Mems Ayinla, YoungMinds’ Vice Chair of Trustees