Youth Board and Champions

Anaiya Gohil-Thorp

I’m Anaiya, an A Level student from London. I’m particularly passionate about psychology and neuroscience, and I hope to study these subjects at university. I’ve been involved in various initiatives to campaign for mental health and have advocated for wellbeing within schools, taking part in a programme which supports younger students with their wellbeing. I look forward to working with the rest of the Youth Board and giving young people the voice that they deserve!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

I’m incredibly passionate about removing the stigma surrounding mental health, and allowing young people’s voices to be heard. It’s essential that we are given the opportunity to openly articulate our thoughts when it comes to mental health, and to be taken seriously by those around us. As a member of the Youth Board, I hope to encourage people to speak out about their experiences and find ways to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, ensuring that everyone is given the support they need, and that no one feels as though they are alone.

Ava-Lilly

My name is Ava-Lilly. I am 11 years old I live with my mom and dad my big brother mason and my little sister bella. I have a pet cat and its my dream to own a horse of my own and have a pet french bulldog.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
I was bullied and it made my brain go all weird, my mental health was very poorly because of the bullies and i dont want other people to feel the same way i did. Jonny and Louisa are going to help me to stop this happening from other children.

I am Beyond…
my bullies

Freya Jahan Sullivan

I’m Freya and I am 13! I enjoy history and I love to bake brownies. I live with my mum and brother half the time and my dad the other half.

Why did you choose to become a member of the Youth Board?

Because I find it good that children and young people are getting the opportunity to use their own voices.

Georgina Gordon

I am currently in Sixth Form studying Psychology, Art and Drama. After struggling with my mental health most of my life, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and ADHD which I continue to make progress with everyday.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

I wanted to join so I can stop the stigma for both BPD and ADHD, and educate others about mental health to not only stop assumptions about someone through their diagnosis, but also to educate others to help prevent worsening mental health.

Louise Lyons

I am a 21 year black woman who is passionate about mental health advocation and equality, diversity and inclusion. My core value is my compassion for those who are suffering in society whether it is obvious or not. I love learning and discussing the most important topics that affect society. I am particularly passionate about student Mental Health having co-founded the initiative BreatheUni with my brother Jeremy, which brings together students in a peer support setting.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

One of my other core values is family. To me Beyond represent a family of likeminded individuals who are committed to creating a more healthy and inclusive society. I am honoured to be given the platform that is needed to continue making social change. I also hope to gain more support in overcoming my anxiety and being a relatable voice for young people.

Lyra Leyton

Hi, I’m Lyra! I’m a warm-hearted soul who has had my own ups and downs. I am 10 years old and I love all sports, I think i’m obsessed. I live in London with my mum, dad and little brother Charlie. My favourite things are: netball (well all sports really), the Isle Of Man, fashion, and Taylor Swift. I am proud to be on the Youth Board because I have gone through hard times and I want to be helpful to others and help get them through their struggles. I have open arms to anyone, I’m here to help. I believe we are all amazing in our on way and we should all love who we are.

Why did you choose to become a member of the Youth Board?

Because I have struggled with anxiety, bullying and depression. Since I have had my own difficulties, I’d like to help other people with their mental health.

Tanya Marwaha

As a young person with disabilities of ethnic minority, I’m passionate about improving mental health education and support access for other young people. I blog about my life with chronic health conditions and its impact on my mental health on the Chronically Strong blog. I run a youth-led organisation Championing Youth Minds, to help young people care for their mental wellbeing daily. I want to make mental health education and support accessible to all, especially in the South Asian community.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

I wish I had the appropriate awareness and support when I was growing up struggling with my mental health, especially with representation of the section of society that I am from. After listening to Jonny speak at the Hope For Life UK 2021 Conference I felt that Beyond is doing exactly what I have always needed as a young person. I want to make sure no young person like myself feels alone or without support, I want to normalise conversations about our mental health especially in communities where mental health is extremely stigmatised and poorly understood.

Zara Qaisar

I’m a mental health and education activist. Currently I’m the Campaign delivery officer for ‘Educate2Youth’, a young cabinet member and a CFR (UNICEF) ambassador. I can speak Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and English, as well as being able to read Arabic and I’m learning German! I also own a small business, where I paint canvases and candles inspired by the art style known as mendhi (henna), and I do henna on others for special occasions. In my spare time, I love to watch and review films!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

Like many of us, I’ve had experiences with mental health, but I was incredibly lucky to have the support of my family and friends by my side. The sad reality is that not everyone has a strong support system close to them, and not only is this a want in society but a need. Thousands of young people suffer with the repercussions of mental health, and all of them deserve an adequate and safe support system. I hope to be a strong asset to the Youth Board and the meaningful work which Beyond delivers.

Muhammad Abz Abby

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
Every child should feel supported and empowered, whatever the challenges they face. I’m here to challenge the stigma of mental health, particularly within minority communities. I also hope to start more conversations about the impact of racism and discrimination on young people’s mental health.

I am Beyond…
Not being true to myself. I am enough.

Ricky di Borgoricco

Ricky is a A-level student and a passionate Londoner. He enjoys basketball and anthropology. Since 2022 I have helped Ukrainian children settling into the English school system, helping out with Maths, English and Science and preparation for GCSEs. Ricky is interested in how we could help asylum seekers to better integrate into the receiving communities.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?

Because it is still not easy to say “hey, I am not well”. Because Beyond is a celebration, a festival of inclusion, awareness and information.

Rhys Dickinson

I am 25, currently live in London and work for Cancom. I am a trustee and ambassador of Embrace CVOC a charity that supports children and their families that are harmed by crime. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I suffered from anxiety and depression and now share my experiences to inspire others that are suffering, that no matter what you have been through, there is help and support here and you can achieve your dreams

Why did you choose to become a Beyond Champion?
I chose to join the youth board after speaking to Jonny and hearing his story and the charities mission, suffering mental health problems myself as a result of a crime. I knew the impact we could have on supporting young people’s mental health. To remove the stigma and through the power, we have as a collective to create meaningful change.

I am Beyond…
being ashamed

Nicolo di Borgoricco

I am a 17 year-old Italian student, born and raised in London. I spend my free time doing a range of things such as Physics research and competing in county golf. I love getting involved in my communities: from supporting my elderly neighbours during the lockdown, to being part of the volunteering committee at school.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond Champion?
I have grappled with mental struggles from my early teens and I empathise with those who find it difficult to open up. When Johnny Benjamin came to my school and gave a striking speech about his experiences, I was inspired by his charisma to get involved and help his vision in any way I could. Beyond is leading the effort to destigmatise talking about mental health, starting with my generation, and I wanted to aid and be a part of the change.

I am Beyond…
Limitations

Gabriella Spillman

I’m Gabriella. I’m 13. My aunt sadly died from suicide when I was 8 and since then I have suffered from anxiety on stage and in school. During my time at Yavneh, in year 7 I suffered from severe anxiety and missed three months of school because of it. It was an awful experience and since then I have helped out with anyone I know suffering with anxiety to as I know how it feels to be in that situation. I love playing sports such as football and find it a great distraction from any hardships.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond Champion?
I know many people who suffer from a mental health disorder and I would like to help them as I know how it feels.I’m hoping to get my school involved with this charity too so they can become more aware of mental health in school.

I am Beyond…
Excited to participate in this charity

Jacob People

Hi all. I am Jacob, 23 and I am incredibly passionate about mental health, particularly that of young people and the LGBTQ+ community. Campaigning as a Youth Activist for YoungMinds was my first step into campaigning for better mental health services. Alongside my campaigning work, I am studying to become a Psychotherapist, I love baking (particularly brownies), playing on my Xbox and chilling out with friends.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
I chose to become a member of the Youth Board as I am incredibly passionate about mental health with my own lived experience of depression and PTSD. I lost my best friend to suicide back in 2015 when he was only 17 years old. I wish for all young people to know about mental illness, to know where they can seek support but also, to have knowledge on what to do if they think one of their friends is struggling. A world where young people feel safe to share how they feel without judgment and shame.

I am Beyond…
Stigma and social isolation

George Taktak

George Taktak is an artist, activist and entrepreneur. He is the founder of How Mental, a global movement of over 600,000 people making wellbeing a global priority. George uses his personal experiences of depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies to humanise mental healthcare. His mission is to ensure the right support is accessible to all. Some of the values I hold closest to my heart, and impart on this mission are: Respect, curiosity, self-expression, empathy, vulnerability and FUN!

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
I believe in possibility. The opportunity to cultivate healthy minds from an early age opens up infinitely more possibilities for the future of society. We already know what we’ve done to date simply does not work. So, focusing on young people’s mental health is fundamental. Plus, kids unlock the element of fun which I feel is sorely missed in most conversations around mental wellbeing. At the end of the day, the mind is an incredibly deep source of curiosity and so, I think the freedom to bring a playful mentality to this domain is something I seek.

My childhood was not so pretty. I was abused both physically and emotionally by my father. I know what it means to be dealing with such trauma later in life. If I can do anything to equip young people with what they need…so they don’t have to wait as many years as I did for their mind to go completely awry. Then I’m here to try. 🙂

I am Beyond…
words

Gaia Brignone

Born and raised in London to Italian parents, I am a true Britalian at heart. My own lived experience with mental ill health has had a transformative impact on my life and has driven me to dedicate both my personal life and professional career to helping move the dial on mental health. In 2020 I joined NM Impact, a non profit that facilitates radical collaboration across investment & philanthropy to support global mental health.

Mental health IS health and my aim is to spread this message!

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
Addressing mental health will require high degrees of collaboration. I joined Beyond’s youth board for this exact reason – to meet like-minded people that share my passion and to work together to enact change. So far it has been an inspiring journey and one that I look forward to continuing.

I am Beyond…
the lack of education around mental health.

Ayla Lyn Jones

I come from a small town in South Wales called Port Talbot. From a young age I knew I wanted to make a difference some way or another, and despite leaving school with no formal qualifications due to mental ill health – I am now currently studying to become a mental health nurse, as I knew I had to turn my own struggles into strength and to make a change.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
Being a part of the Beyond family has shown me that no matter what label I may have been given, we all have the ability and power to make a difference by using our own voices – Beyond has given me the self-belief, strength and courage to do so.

I am Beyond…
a label

Antonio Ferreira

I am a 23-year-old student at the University of Essex, originally from London, and I’m studying Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience. During my teenage years, I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. While I am extremely passionate about changing the narrative on mental health, I am also passionate about other things e.g. Football: I am a Manchester United fan and I also coach football. I also enjoy learning new languages: I can speak 4 other languages.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
When I left my mental health hospital, I told myself that I had to use my experience to shed hope on others who end up in a similar situation to mine. Including those who are still hopeless. I focused on becoming stronger and more resilient. It was difficult at first, but I found that drive and I became devoted to inspire and motivate others. My ambition is to go beyond. I felt a good place to express this drive would be at Beyond.

I am Beyond…
My past and ahead of my future

Adam Gross

Hi, I’m a university student passionate about making a difference and helping others. I enjoy reading mindfulness, and long walks!

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
I become a member of the youth board to help others as I know what it feels like to be in a low place. I want to help others and show that we are all so much more than our current difficulties.

I am Beyond…
a label, I am me.

Adam Mallaby

In three words: books, writing, Lana Del Rey (not quite three words but you get the gist!). Comms/PR by trade, focusing on the LGBT+ community. Mental health advocate. Keen gardener, writer, reader, baker.

Why did you choose to become a Beyond champion?
Growing up wasn’t the easiest but I always had an amazing support network of friends and family, which helped massively. There was also no social media. Today, it’s a very different world out there. I want to give something back and to show that you can do anything / overcome anything that you put your mind to, and that it’s okay to have bad days! I really hope to bring a focus on supporting LGBT+ youth and overall wellbeing.

I am Beyond…
emotional (literally cry at anything, and I’m okay with that!)