Katie Aston OBE

My day job is leading on partnerships for Crime and Policing at the Home Office which brings me into contact with a lot of voluntary organisations including those working to combat serious violence. 

I was attracted to joining the StreetDoctors board because I am particularly keen on charities that ‘do what they say on the tin’.  I was really impressed with its staff and volunteers and strongly believe that StreetDoctors people are its greatest asset. 

I am also a trustee of the Noel Buxton Trust focusing on penal grant giving and have been involved with a number of different charities over the years.  I was awarded an OBE for services to charity and the voluntary sector in the Queen’s 2016 birthday honours list.

I live between London and rural East Suffolk and spend my spare time enjoying cooking, restaurants, good friends, wine and lively conversation.

Claire Read

I joined StreetDoctors in September 2020, and I have a background in policy and programmes. I started my career at the Department for Education, and most recently spent 5 years at Save the Children, working on support for disadvantaged families in the UK.

Like StreetDoctors, I believe that upskilling, encouraging and investing in young people is one of the most powerful ways to change society for the better. 

I am passionate about good operations – systems, processes and cultures that empower people to achieve amazing things. 

TJ Diaro

Growing up was tough. I came from an area in London where youth violence was a recurring issue. From Postcode wars, to gang related issues, or even just random attacks, it was a consistent problem that, through the years, has almost become normalised within street culture. And for what?

After graduating from university, I decided to dedicated my time to helping and mentoring the next young Kings and Queens of today. I feel with the increase of youth violence and the more its being televised, it is important we teach them the ramifications of causing bodily harm to someone as well as what to do in a potentially life-threatening situation.

This is why I feel what we do at  Streetdoctors is vital in providing that necessary knowledge, giving them the confidence to help save more young lives that have fallen victim to street violence and maybe think even think twice about carrying a harmful weapon.

Sarah Bloxham

I joined StreetDoctors in July 2020, after many years as a book publisher, and more recently as Business Manager of the training operation of a local hospice. Its courses were designed to give social care workers the skills and confidence to deliver great end of life care. I saw at first-hand how knowledge can inspire self-belief and empower people to achieve their full potential, and this is what attracted me to become part of the StreetDoctors movement. That, and having two sons who have been involved with youth violence, the youth justice system and various other adolescent services, and would have benefitted from our intervention (if only StreetDoctors had a team in Kent!).

I strongly believe in the transformative power of knowledge; that all young people do well if they can; and that support and encouragement are much more effective than judgement and punishment. It is both exciting and humbling to work with StreetDoctors delivery partners and volunteers in inspiring young people to stay safe, become more aware and grow in confidence; and I want to help reach every young person who needs us.

Jacqui Highfield

I’m excited and honoured to be joining the Trustee Board for StreetDoctors having seen first-hand the positive outcomes achieved from the life-saving skills sessions delivered to young people within Youth Offending Services. I was so impressed by the energy and commitment of the StreetDoctors volunteers and am really looking forward to working with the Board to support them.

I have been working in the area of Serious Youth Violence for over a decade and am currently the Director of Programmes for Redthread – a charity that embeds specialist trauma and health informed youth workers into A&E departments in hospitals and other health settings across London, Nottingham and Birmingham.

Joanna Vidal

I am passionate about volunteering and providing opportunities for others to give back to their community. SteetDoctors volunteers provide peer to peer teaching of life saving first aid for young people, where the next generation of healthcare professionals can inspire and encourage young people while also developing their own skills. The approach that involves young participants and volunteers learning from each other is what first attracted me to StreetDoctors. 

Having previously worked with young people in care I am a strong advocate for social justice; empowering young people to make decisions about their future and limitless potential. 

I have managed volunteers in various capacities over the last eight years, from local project level to national oversight. A common trait I have seen in all volunteers is their dedication, enthusiasm and empathy for others. StreetDoctors volunteers have these qualities and many more in abundance. I am privileged to work with them all. 

Dr Jasmine Fulcher

Hi! My name is Jasmine (or Jaz as most people call me). I’m excited and honoured to become a Trustee. StreetDoctors is a charity very close to my heart; I’ve been a volunteer with them since 2014 and in that time have taken on various roles including Team Leader, research and development team lead, as well as delivering teaching sessions to young people across the country.

A bit about me… I was born and raised in South East London. I’m a junior doctor, qualified in 2019 and work in the NHS. I’m the first doctor in my family, so as you can imagine, it was (still is) a big deal for us all. Before becoming a doctor, I was a registered nurse, also within the NHS. I’m very proud of being a doctor and of my nursing background, but actually when I left school, I wanted to be an actor! I went to the BRIT school for performing arts and have a BTEC National Diploma in Theatre Arts.

I have always been passionate about justice and inclusivity, which is why I believe so strongly in the work that StreetDoctors as a charity does. Young people deserve to live a life free from fear and stigma. I like to think that the work we do with StreetDoctors, alongside other organisations, is helping little by little to create a world where young people are protected, respected and believe in their own power and potential.

Helen Berresford

I am delighted to be joining StreetDoctors board of trustees. StreetDoctors delivers such important work around the country to give young people critical lifesaving skills. I am looking forward to working with the trustees, staff and volunteers to contribute wherever possible to the impact they make.

I have spent my career working to improve policy and practice for disadvantaged young people and adults. With over 15 years experience working in Parliament and the voluntary sector, including in charities such as Nacro, Save the Children, and women’s charity Platform 51, I have successfully influenced Government policy across a range of areas including equality, childcare and poverty.

Dr Shola Apena Rogers

As a Londoner born and bred, I am passionate for working to support and empower young people within the community.

I am a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, Lecturer at University of Birmingham. I have worked as a practitioner and researcher within various contexts, including the criminal justice system, Children’s Social Care, NHS and voluntary sector to achieve impact and positive outcomes. I am also a Consultant Trainer delivering Motivational Interviewing, Adolescent Mental Health and Trauma Informed Practice training programmes.

I am keen to work with a charity like StreetDoctors, which harnesses the potential of their volunteers to really make a difference.

Dr Liam Fenn

I am passionate about using data and research evidence to drive social change, and excited to join StreetDoctors given the charity’s commitment to impact evaluation and learning to support young people affected by youth violence in society.

I have worked in a variety of research and evaluation roles over the past ten years in the public and charity sector, and currently lead the Strategy and Insights team at Police Now, a charity with a mission to transform communities by recruiting, developing and inspiring leaders in policing.

Having recently completed a PhD in Sociology, I am enjoying having a little bit of extra time on my hands, which I mostly spend reading, running and playing golf. As a self-confessed foodie, I also love nothing more than spending time enjoying a good meal with family and friends.