Young Camden Foundation



ABOUT US

Established in 2017, Young Camden Foundation is a registered charity set up to address the growing uncertainty of long-term investment in the children and young people sector in Camden and the need to build more cross-sector partnerships. Young Camden Foundation aims to provide a new model of local support for its members, which includes building capacity and better equipping the community with resources and funding, connecting and working with organisations to develop new and entrepreneurial approaches to supporting young people and championing critical issues facing the local community.

OUR TEAM

A small but ambitious team with experience of working with and in the Children and young people sector:

  • Alev Omer
    Alev Omer
    Membership and Events Assistant

    Alev joined YCF as the Membership & Events Assistant in September 2023. She is of Turkish-Cypriot heritage and grew up in East London / Essex. Prior to YCF, she worked at Mi-Soul Radio where she also did volunteer work for Crisis. Before this, Alev completed an undergraduate degree in English Literature at the University of Birmingham, where she spent time volunteering at food banks. She is looking forward to working with the members of YCF to help them further support young people in Camden.

  • Daisy Srblin
    Daisy Srblin
    Chief Executive Officer

    Daisy joined YCF as CEO in May 2022. She serves as a school Governor in Camden, is a Board member of Camden Council's Youth Justice Board and is Vice Chair of Camden's Youth Safety Taskforce.

    She was previously the CEO of the national youth social action charity Million Minutes (where she was appointed at the age of 29), and has worked across campaigns, policy and advocacy at Christian Aid, Child Poverty Action Group, the Fabian Society and Gingerbread. Daisy also previously worked as a Senior Researcher to a London MP and for a member of the House of Lords. She holds First-Class BA and MA degrees in Modern British History from University College, Durham and Queen Mary, University of London, on an academic scholarship.

    Daisy grew up and went to school in Camden, is of Croatian and Lebanese heritage, and was raised on Free School Meals in social housing, and was the first person in her family to be university educated. She is from an immigrant family and attended supplementary schooling in Camden. Daisy is proud to work at YCF and is passionate about ensuring that opportunity is equally distributed across communities, especially in London.

  • Ellie Lewis
    Ellie Lewis
    Membership and Communications Manager

    Ellie joined YCF as a Membership Engagement and Communications Officer in October 2022 and became a manager in September 2023. She identifies as mixed-race (white British and Black Caribbean) and grew up in social housing in Camberwell, and later in Wandsworth. Living and going to school in Inner London made her the open-minded and socially conscious person she is today. Ellie understands what it means to be marginalised and is passionate about championing young people, especially those who are disadvantaged.

    Before starting at YCF, Ellie completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Leeds in English Literature as well as a master’s degree in Race, Media and Social Justice at Goldsmith’s, University of London. Alongside her studies, she worked as a Health and Wellbeing Ambassador and led a decolonisation project at university. She also volunteered as the Diversity Officer at National Student Pride, a non-profit organisation that hosts a pride event every year attended by thousands of young people from across the UK.

  • Grace Maric
    Grace Maric
    HAF Administrator

    Grace joined YCF as the HAF Administrator in May 2023. Prior to working at YCF, Grace worked directly with young people at an Islington secondary school. During her time there she particularly enjoyed supporting students with their reading as she loves to read herself. While Grace gained great experience working in education supporting students, she is looking forward to helping to support young people through her work on the HAF program as she is passionate about the wellbeing and the future of children and young people.

    Grace was born and raised in Camden and grew up in social housing, she is of English and Montenegrin heritage. Grace was educated in Camden from primary school all the way through to sixth form, where she then went on to complete a degree in History and Politics at the University of Manchester.

  • Sam Speer
    Sam Speer
    Partnership Development and Grants Manager

    Sam joined YCF as Partnership Development and Grants Manager in January 2023, having previously led on corporate and university partnerships for supplementary education social enterprise Tutors United. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Politics from the University of Kent, and spent several years in the Civil Service, prior to joining the not-for-profit sector, where he led on recruitment and training for an expert scientific committee.

    He has spent time volunteering with a variety of housing and homelessness organisations, including St Mungo’s and the London Renters Union, and is passionate about closing the opportunity gap for low-income students.

  • Shannon Roncari
    Shannon Roncari
    Operations Administration Apprentice

    Shannon joined YCF as operations administration apprentice in December 2022. She studied Criminology BSc at the University of Leicester and is of English and Irish traveller heritage.

    Shannon grew up in social housing within Camden, where she also went to school from nursery up until she completed her sixth-form studies.

    Having been a service user of various third sector organisations and programmes within Camden, she understands first-hand how vital accessible opportunities are to our children and young people’s safety and development. As a result, she is passionate about giving back to the community that helped her to grown. Alongside her work with YCF, She is also an Ambassador and community champion at Fitzrovia Youth In Action.

  • Sophie Kruger
    Sophie Kruger
    HAF Project Manager

    Sophie joined YCF as the HAF Project Manager in October 2023. She was previously a Site Supervisor for National Citizen Service, leading an 8-week residential programme to encourage young people to unlock their full potential through a series of adventure workshops. She has also worked with NCS Trust to develop and deliver their nationwide strategy and marketing campaigns.

    Having spent several years in the Creative Advertising sector, she always gravitated towards charitable clients. She has worked on an anti-bullying campaign with Cybersmile and Urban Outfitters, and was a corporate champion and volunteer for North London Cares. She is excited to join the not-for-profit sector, contributing to the great work happening at YCF and in Camden more widely.

    She grew up in Redcar, North Yorkshire, and has lived in London since 2018. She holds a BA in Management with Marketing from the University of Leeds.

Our values

Collaboration
Promote a culture of partnership working that encourages cross-sector support and the sharing of resources.
Equality
Provide those who may otherwise be left behind with the opportunity to influence the decisions that most affect them.
Community
Create and nurture connections between people and organisations that share our vision for young people.
Sustainability
Support the sector with providing high quality and viable youth services.

Through ongoing community and member feedback, Young Camden Foundation has identified three key areas of focus

OUR TRUSTEES AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

YCF is governed by a dedicated and skilled team of trustees and associate members from across different sectors, including private, public and third sector. Our governance structure includes four committees: Finance, HR and Safeguarding, Fundraising, and Grant Giving.

  • MARTIN PRATT
    MARTIN PRATT
    CHAIR

    Martin Pratt is the Executive Director, Supporting People and the Deputy Chief Executive for the London Borough of Camden. He has over thirty-five years’ experience in the field of Children’s Services and Education and has been involved in establishing and developing the young Camden Foundation from the outset.

  • NIELS PEDERSEN
    NIELS PEDERSEN
    VICE CHAIR & TREASURER

    Niels Pedersen spent 30 years in investment and corporate banking in London before transitioning to the charitable sector. He is currently studying for a Masters in Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Bayes Business School. He is the former treasurer of a national outdoors activities charity and is on the finance committee of an international human rights organisation.

  • SHANNON RONCARI
    SHANNON RONCARI
    CLERK TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
  • TOM SIMPSON
    TOM SIMPSON
    TRUSTEE

    Tom Simpson is a lawyer at YouTube based in Kings Cross. Tom grew up and went to school in Camden.

  • ANNEKA MUNSCH
    ANNEKA MUNSCH
    TRUSTEE

    Anneka is a Partner in Portland’s Government Advisory Practice. She is an experienced government communications specialist and has worked with governments in the Middle East, Asia, Central Asia and Europe.

    She has led major reputation management and capacity building programmes for Portland’s government clients, advising leadership at the highest levels and providing on-the-ground support.

  • ABDIKADIR AHMED
    ABDIKADIR AHMED
    TRUSTEE

    Abdi Ahmed is a Youth Services Coordinator at Somali Youth Development and Resource Centre.

  • FOYEZUR MIAH
    FOYEZUR MIAH
    TRUSTEE
  • MAGGIE MENDY
    MAGGIE MENDY
    TRUSTEE

    Maggie is a Camden resident and has been so her entire life, She wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Consequently, she feels that she is lucky enough to grow up with a vibrant cosmopolitan backdrop which no doubt has shaped her life. Maggie is also a married mother of three grown up sons. As a result, she has seen and been involved with several services offered by the borough.

    Maggie has been with Wac Arts for almost 35 years in various capacities, as a parent, a volunteer and then a full-time employee having retrained in many areas, including a degree in health and social care. She has worked across programmes, in youth, play and since 2007 the SEND areas of their inclusive offer. She has a real passion for supporting young people to enhance their lives and has found over these years, that the Arts not only can but do have a truly profound impact whether as a chosen career or otherwise.

    It has been Maggie's mission to lift our young people with additional needs and to make them more visible in the community in which they live. To grow the world of inclusion and integration across the board to allow all people to have those equal opportunities which so many of us strive for.

    Maggie highlights that she is very happy, and honoured to join the YCF Trustee Board, to continue the good work in Camden

  • LUCY PEARSON
    LUCY PEARSON
    TRUSTEE

    Lucy is a Data & Technology Project Manager at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She is experienced in strategic planning and overseeing large-scale change and technology projects.

    Prior to her role at the LSE, Lucy worked at Teach First - a national, education charity that aims to address educational disadvantage, by giving children with the fewest opportunities access to a great education. Having benefitted from various charitable initiatives in her formative years, Lucy joined the Board of Trustees to support YCF's work and champion it’s vision.

  • FRANCESCA DE MUNNICH
    FRANCESCA DE MUNNICH
    TRUSTEE

    Francesca grew up in Camden and is passionate about giving back to the local community.

    She is currently Head of Policy at the Association of Charitable Foundations and is an experienced policy specialist on young people, grant-making and social policy. Prior to her current position, she held policy and advocacy roles at Save the Children and the National Lottery Community Fund.

  • COUNCILLOR GEORGIA GOULD
    COUNCILLOR GEORGIA GOULD
    ASSOCIATE MEMBER

    Georgia was appointed Leader of Camden Council in May 2017 and has served as a Councillor for Kentish Town Ward since 2010. Prior to becoming leader she held cabinet roles responsible for young people, economic growth and adult social care.

    Georgia studied at Camden School for Girls and has lived in the Borough for most of her adult life. Georgia studied History and Politics at Oxford, and graduated with a master's degree in global politics from the London School of Economics.