Our Youth Advisory Board

Amber is a final-year Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy student with a strong interest in children’s emotional wellbeing and the impact of early adversity on childhood development. Words Matter’s mission is a matter close to her heart, and she is passionate about prevention-focused work that supports children to grow up in safe, understanding, and supportive environments. 

Carolina is a second-year student at Norland College studying for a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care alongside the Norland Diploma. She has experience in working with children from newborns to 10 years old through babysitting, nannying, school and nursery placements, as well as volunteering. She is passionate about promoting awareness of positive and respectful communication with children.

Duru is a BSc Psychology (Honours) graduate from UCL and is currently doing her MSc in Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice at UCL and Anna Freud. At UCL, she is closely involved in research on children’s mental health, the accessibility of psychological therapies, language development, and neurodevelopmental disorders. She also has hands-on experience supporting autistic children and adolescents.  

Hunar is a lawyer with experience in dispute resolution and rights-based advocacy and currently serves as Programme Director at the Association for Parivartan of Nation. She works on legal empowerment, child rights, and strengthening access to education and social protection for marginalised communities, collaborating closely with young leaders and frontline volunteers to improve last-mile access to justice.    

Lux is a dedicated advocate for human rights and global cooperation, currently pursuing a degree in International Relations and Political Science. They focus on amplifying youth voices in international justice, from developing youth-inclusive treaties on Crimes Against Humanity to advocating for children’s rights within legal systems. 

Natasha is a Fine Art graduate from the University of Oxford with a practice rooted in identity, representation, and the social power of communication. As a Nigerian migrant who has navigated both British and Nigerian cultural environments, she brings a nuanced, cross-cultural sensitivity to conversations about language, belonging, and young people’s mental health.  

Paddy is a mental health and digital rights campaigner dedicated to turning lived experience into meaningful systemic change. As Campaigns Director at FlippGen, a youth-led organisation, he works to empower young people to navigate digital life safely while advocating for healthier online environments. Passionate about amplifying youth voices, Paddy works at the intersection of mental health, digital culture, and policy, ensuring young people are not just heard, but actively shaping the systems that affect their lives. 

Poppy Bilderbeck is a writer, performer and mental health campaigner dedicated to using creativity as a force for change. As a freelance journalist and spoken word poet, she uses storytelling to support charities and spark meaningful conversations around mental health. Her work is driven by a commitment to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and creating spaces where young people feel seen and heard.   

Raisa is a Biomedical Engineering student at Erciyes University based in Kayseri, Türkiye. She founded Casa & Pals in 2022. Casa & Pals is a youth community focused on providing Indonesian girls with a safe space to grow and be heard. Her personal interests lie in psychology and the applications of emotional intelligence in everyday life.

Ryan is a first-year MSc student in Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice at UCL and the Anna Freud Centre. He has previously worked with children and in a range of mental health settings, and is pursuing a career in clinical mental health with a particular interest in mood disorders. Ryan is committed to contributing to research and initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of verbal abuse, particularly within men’s communities and communities of the global majority.

Vansika is currently pursuing an MSc in Economics and Policy at King’s College, London. She is driven by the belief that every day, in all corners of the world, in ways big and small, people are tipping the scales of justice to prove that change is possible. This belief drives Vansika’s commitment in ensuring that people lead a life full of dignity, are served well by their government, and are empowered to contribute to their communities. To this end, she aims to utilise her passion for policymaking in placing social justice at the heart of public life.   

William is a student of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Leeds. He is interested in how language, political institutions and economic structures shape opportunity and social outcomes. His academic work has strengthened his belief that advocacy for children and young people must be more consistently prioritised within political decision-making, which must translate into meaningful structural change. William also works as a tutor, supporting students across a range of abilities and a volunteer at a primary school.