Yasmin Hacib

Yasmin Hacib
Sessional Youth Worker

by Team Members
The Team / Yasmin
Youth Worker • Events Helper

Yasmin.

Yasmin has been part of Youth Unity since the very beginning. Between her studies in chemistry at the University of Sussex, she comes back to plan and lead sports and arts sessions, help run our events and support the young people who make Youth Unity what it is.

Get in touch →
Yasmin, Youth Worker and Events Helper at Youth Unity
Here from day one

Whenever she’s home from university, you’ll find her back at Youth Unity.

01

Part of Youth Unity from the start

Yasmin has been with Youth Unity since it began in 2020, and has grown alongside the organisation. What started as helping out has become a real role in the team, and she returns to work with us during her university breaks.

She plans and leads sports and arts workshops for young people aged 18 and under, working with groups of up to 50 at a time, and makes sure every session is safe, well organised and fun.

02

Making events happen

Yasmin is a natural organiser. She coordinates volunteers, manages event logistics and keeps sessions running to schedule.

She is first aid trained, including paediatric basic life support, so young people and families can feel confident they are in safe hands.

Proof that local young people can go anywhere.
03

From Havering to the lab

Yasmin studied at Havering Sixth Form College before going on to the University of Sussex, where she is now in the fourth year of an integrated master’s degree in Chemistry. Her research focuses on making new molecules that could one day help in the fight against cancer, and she is President of the university’s Chemistry Society.

For the young people we work with, Yasmin shows what is possible with hard work and curiosity. Outside of study and youth work, she enjoys art, cooking, music, gardening and keeping fit.

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Shanice Jones
Trauma Informed Mentor

by Team Members
The Team / Shanice
Behaviour Specialist • DJ

Shanice.

Shanice has more than 20 years’ experience working with young people, from dance studios and sports pitches to leading behaviour support across schools in Greenwich and Bexley.

Shanice, Behaviour Specialist at Youth Unity, wearing a navy Youth Unity t-shirt
20+ years

No young person left behind.

01

Where it started

Shanice began her journey with young people as a dance teacher and sports coach. Seeing what movement, music and teamwork could do for young people’s confidence led her into education, where she started supporting students with behavioural and social-emotional needs.

02

Leading behaviour support

For the past 12 years, Shanice has been the Lead for Behaviour across schools in Greenwich and Bexley. Her support is always student-centred: she looks past the behaviour to the young person behind it, and works out what they really need.

She designs and delivers high-quality interventions using creative, solution-focused approaches, each tailored to the individual. Throughout, she has stayed committed to creating safe, inclusive environments for young people and their families, making sure that no young person is left behind.

Connection, positivity and joy.
03

Behind the decks

Outside of school, Shanice is a DJ, and she uses music to reach young people who might not connect through more traditional routes. Music is common ground, and it can open doors that a classroom sometimes can’t.

Whether it’s a school fair, a community event or a local skate session, Shanice gives back through music, bringing young people and families together and creating moments of connection, positivity and joy.

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Tamara Walcott-Brown
Youth Development & Mental Health Specialist

by Team Members
The Team / Tamara Walcott-Brown
Youth Practitioner • Psychology Graduate

Tamara
Walcott-Brown.

Tamara is a highly driven youth practitioner who combines academic insight with hands-on expertise in trauma-informed mentoring, mental health and early intervention.

Get in touch →
Tamara Walcott-Brown, Youth Practitioner at Youth Unity
First-Class Honours

Psychology, Queen Mary University of London.

01

Insight meets experience

Tamara Walcott-Brown is a highly driven youth practitioner and psychology graduate with extensive experience supporting young people facing complex challenges. With a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology from Queen Mary University of London, Tamara combines academic insight with hands-on expertise in trauma-informed mentoring, mental health and early intervention.

02

Impact across services

She has led impactful work across mentoring programmes, IAPT mental health services and community-based projects, specialising in culturally responsive support for young people from African Caribbean heritage.

Tamara has worked with Shaw Trust, MIND and grassroots youth organisations to design and deliver targeted mentoring, employability guidance and wellbeing workshops.

Building trust, empowering individuals, fostering long-term resilience.
03

Her approach

Her approach is rooted in building trust, empowering individuals and fostering long-term resilience. She brings energy, empathy and a deep understanding of safeguarding, youth mental health and engagement strategies, making her a vital part of Youth Unity’s mission to support and inspire the next generation.

04

Music as connection

Outside of her professional work, Tamara is a passionate singer and was part of the Chaka Khan Meltdown choir, using music as a creative outlet and a tool for connection and healing.

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Aiden Hughes

Aiden

by Team Members
The Team / Aiden
Junior Youth Worker • Sixth Form Student

Aiden.

Aiden is a sixth form student from Havering and one of our Junior Youth Workers. Close in age to the young people he supports, he brings energy, understanding and proof that you can balance study, fitness and giving back.

Get in touch →
Aiden, Junior Youth Worker at Youth Unity
Local & relatable

Sometimes the best person to talk to is someone who’s been there recently.

01

Close to the young people he supports

Aiden is a sixth form student who has grown up in Havering, and he brings that local knowledge into everything he does at Youth Unity. As a Junior Youth Worker, he is only a few years older than many of the young people who come through our doors, which means he understands the pressures they face, from exams and friendships to figuring out what comes next.

That closeness in age makes a real difference. Young people often find it easier to open up to someone who gets it, and Aiden is approachable, easy-going and always happy to chat.

02

Discipline built in the gym

Outside of his studies, Aiden spends a lot of his time in the gym. Training has taught him about consistency, setting goals and sticking at something even when progress feels slow, and he shares that mindset with the young people he works with.

Whether it is chatting about fitness, healthy routines or simply finding something that helps clear your head, Aiden shows that looking after your body is also a way of looking after your mind.

Showing what’s possible, one step at a time.
03

Learning, leading and giving back

Balancing sixth form with youth work is no small thing, and Aiden does it with commitment and a positive attitude. Working alongside our experienced team, he is developing his skills in supporting young people, running activities and building trusted relationships.

For the young people at Youth Unity, Aiden is living proof that you can work hard at school, look after yourself and still make time to help others in your community.

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Tomiwa Amao
Youth Worker

by Team Members

Tomiwa is a passionate and engaging youth worker with hands-on experience leading and mentoring young people through structured programmes. As an NCS Youth Engagement Leader, he supported groups of 15–17-year-olds to build confidence, develop self-esteem, and achieve personal goals through a mix of activities, discussions, and reflective sessions .

Known for his ability to connect with young people from diverse backgrounds, Tomiwa creates safe, inclusive spaces where young people feel heard, supported, and empowered. He has experience working with young people with additional needs, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence, adaptability, and safeguarding awareness.

With a background in finance and strong organisational skills, Tomiwa brings a reliable and structured approach to youth work, balancing energy and creativity with consistency and care. He is committed to helping young people grow, make positive choices, and reach their full potential.

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Mike
Trauma Informed Youth Mentor

by Team Members
The Team / Mike
Youth Worker • Sport & Fitness Lead

Mike.

Mike uses sport and physical activity to engage and support young people, running high-energy sessions that build confidence, teamwork and a sense of belonging.

Mike, Youth Worker and Sport and Fitness Lead at Youth Unity
On & off the pitch

Sport is more than physical activity. It’s a tool for connection.

01

Sport as the way in

Mike is a dedicated youth worker who uses sport and physical activity as a powerful way to engage and support young people. With a strong passion for fitness, he delivers high-energy sessions that encourage participation, build confidence and promote positive lifestyle choices.

02

Structured but fun

Through football, basketball and group fitness, Mike creates an inclusive environment where young people can develop teamwork, discipline and resilience. His sessions are structured but fun, giving young people the chance to stay active while building strong peer relationships and a sense of belonging.

Everyone gets a game, whatever their ability. The point is not who wins, but who turns up, joins in and comes back next week.

Supported on the pitch, and off it.
03

More than a game

Mike understands that sport is more than just physical activity. It is a tool for connection. He uses it to open up conversations around wellbeing, mindset and personal growth, helping young people feel supported both on and off the pitch.

Some of the most important conversations happen on the walk to the changing rooms, or catching a breath on the sideline. That is where Mike does some of his best work.

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Zipporah
Youth Ambassador, Podcast Queen

by Team MembersZipporah
The Team / Zipporah
Young Ambassador • Podcast Host

Zipporah
Podcast Queen.

Zipporah is our Young Ambassador and the voice of the Youth Unity podcast. She earned the crown by turning up every single week.

Zipporah, Youth Unity Young Ambassador, at the podcast microphone wearing headphones
Every week

She shows up, gets involved and makes the conversation better.

01

She kept showing up

Nobody handed Zipporah a title on day one. She came along, got involved, and then came back the next week, and the week after that. Each time she took on a little more, asked better questions and grew in confidence.

It did not take long for the team to notice that she has a real flair for communication. She listens properly, she puts people at ease, and she can say in one sentence what others take five minutes to get to.

02

Earning the crown

So we gave her the microphone, and a title to go with it: Podcast Queen. Zipporah now leads on our podcast, helping to shape the conversations and making sure they sound like young people talking, because they are.

When a young person hosts, guests open up differently and listeners hear themselves in the room. That is something no adult presenter can fake, and it is why Zipporah is at the heart of what we record.

Giving young people a voice, and the opportunities to use it.
03

Studies come first

Zipporah is a student getting ready for her A-Levels, and at Youth Unity her studies always come first. Recording fits around revision, never the other way round, and if she needs to step back at exam time, the microphone will be waiting when she returns.

We see the two as working together. The confidence, preparation and clear thinking she is building behind the mic are skills she takes back into the classroom, and on to whatever comes next.

04

Growing with us

Zipporah is young, so she does not do any of this alone. Our team supports her throughout, from planning an episode to the conversation afterwards about what went well and what she would like to try next.

As our Young Ambassador she represents exactly what Youth Unity is here for: giving young people a voice and opening up real opportunities. As she grows, we intend to grow those opportunities with her, and we are excited to see where she takes them.

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Adrian Tuitt

Adrian Tuitt
Mental Health Specialist, Mentor

by Team Members
The Team / Adrian
Coach & Mentor • AMPLIFY Lead, Havering

Adrian.

Adrian empowers young minds through sport and mentorship. A coach, mentor and motivational speaker, he also leads our AMPLIFY project in Havering, helping young people build confidence, resilience and self-worth.

Get in touch → Refer a young person
Adrian, Coach, Mentor and AMPLIFY Lead at Youth Unity
10+ years

Empowering young minds through sport, mentorship and mindset coaching.

01

Empowering young minds

With over 10 years of experience working with children and young people, Adrian is a dedicated coach, mentor and motivational speaker passionate about improving wellbeing, confidence and self-worth. Whether it’s supporting students through anxiety and behavioural challenges or motivating young people to reach their full potential, he brings an empathetic, energetic and engaging approach to every session.

02

Leading AMPLIFY in Havering

Adrian leads Youth Unity’s AMPLIFY project in Havering, giving secondary school students a safe, judgement-free space to talk openly about school, wellbeing and mental health. Through group discussions, vision boards and practical strategies, young people build confidence, learn to express their feelings and find new ways to cope with challenges.

The feedback speaks for itself. Every student who gave feedback said they would recommend AMPLIFY, and some described it as the one place they could really talk about how they feel.

To inspire, empower and uplift young people, so they know they are capable of greatness.
03

Experience & expertise

As Head Coach at The Little Runners Sports in Schools Limited, Adrian has successfully led a team of sports coaches, delivering high-quality school programmes including multi-sports clubs, holiday camps and mentoring services for children needing extra support. He has a strong track record of building positive relationships with students, parents and teachers, ensuring young people receive the guidance and encouragement they need to thrive.

Beyond coaching, Adrian is a motivational speaker and family mentor, delivering inspirational talks and tailored 1:1 coaching on mental wellbeing, resilience and personal growth. Through sports and mindset coaching, he empowers young people to overcome challenges, stay motivated and believe in their own abilities.

04

Committed to safeguarding

To ensure the highest standard of support and care, Adrian holds multiple CPD-certified qualifications in mentoring, behavioural management, domestic violence awareness and child safeguarding. He is also Enhanced DBS checked and holds a Level 2 Diploma in Sports Science Coaching.

05

What drives him

A strong advocate for youth development, Adrian blends sports, mentorship and personal coaching to create meaningful impact. He is experienced in working with schools, families and community organisations to deliver engaging and supportive programmes, and is passionate about helping young people build confidence, resilience and life skills through sport, education and positive reinforcement.

Adrian’s mission is simple: to inspire, empower and uplift young people, helping them realise that they are capable of achieving greatness.

AMPLIFY • Havering

What young people say.

At the end of the course, students shared their feedback on AMPLIFY. Here’s what they told us.

100%would recommend AMPLIFY to another student
4.4/5average rating for the course overall
6 in 7described their experience as enjoyable

The teacher made us all feel so safe and comfortable. He encouraged us to think positive and he just understood us all.

Year 7 student

I liked how much I put my hand up, because I usually don’t in most of my lessons.

Year 8 student

AMPLIFY has made me enjoy school more. It’s something I look forward to for the whole week.

Year 8 student

Sometimes when things get hard you just have to push through, and that also builds confidence.

Year 8 student
Refer a young person →

Know a young person who could benefit from AMPLIFY? Make a referral online.

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Arron Blaire
Professional Footballer, Ambassador

by Team Members

Aaron Blair – Footballer, Role Model, and Youth Unity Advocate

Aaron Blair is a talented and dedicated footballer who currently plays as a striker, most recently making his mark at Braintree Town, where he scored 20 goals and provided five assists during a standout season that helped drive the club’s promotion-winning campaign.

Aaron began his footballing journey through the apprenticeship scheme at Dagenham & Redbridge, spending three seasons at Victoria Road. It was during this time that he first joined Braintree Town on loan a move that became permanent in October of last year due to his exceptional performance and potential.

More than just an athlete, Aaron is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment. As a long-standing family friend of Youth Unity’s founder, Shirley Jackson, Aaron brings a personal connection and shared vision to our work. He understands the challenges young people face and is committed to using his platform to inspire, support, and guide others toward positive futures both on and off the pitch.

More information

 

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Artie
Sessional Youth Worker

by Team Members
The Team / Artie
Youth Unity Team • Sixth Form Student

Artie.

Artie is a sixth form student who loves being part of Youth Unity. A big fan of all sports, he brings energy and enthusiasm to every session and helps make sure everyone feels involved.

Get in touch →
Artie, sixth form student and member of the Youth Unity team
Game on

Enthusiasm is contagious, and Artie has plenty to share.

01

Loving every minute

Artie is a sixth form student who really enjoys working with Youth Unity. He is always keen to get stuck in, whether that means helping set up a session, joining in with activities or chatting with the young people who come along.

Being close in age to many of the young people we support means Artie understands what they’re going through, and they find him easy to talk to.

02

All sports, all in

If there’s a ball, a bat or a game going on, Artie wants to be part of it. He loves all kinds of sport and uses that passion to get others involved, encouraging young people to give things a go, have fun and work as a team.

For Artie, sport is about more than winning. It’s about building confidence, making friends and feeling part of something.

Bringing the energy, every single session.
03

Enthusiasm that’s catching

Artie’s enthusiasm is one of his biggest strengths. His positive attitude lifts the mood in any room and helps young people feel welcome and included from the moment they arrive.

Balancing sixth form with his time at Youth Unity, Artie shows young people what it looks like to work hard, stay active and give something back to your community.

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