Mar 8, 2022
As part of International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting some of the female-led grantholder organisations and charities we work with and celebrating their pioneering work in the youth sector and beyond.
This year’s campaign theme is #BreakTheBias, which recognises that bias, whether deliberate or unconscious, makes it difficult for women to move ahead. These female-led organisations are making strides in their field, actively working to pursue positive outcomes for young people from marginalised backgrounds and encouraging a culture that is free from discrimination and strereotyping.
Here’s a look at some of the organisations Youth Futures has funded, their work supporting young people from marginalised backgrounds to get into good jobs, and the female leaders fronting their missions:
Tesy Ojo, CBE
CEO, The Diana Award
Tessy Ojo CBE is the Chief Executive of The Diana Award, a charity set-up to further the legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales by empowering young people to make positive changes and awarding young people for their contributions to society, humanitarian or activist work. The Diana Award offers a selection of programmes available for young people, including anti-bullying and mentoring.
Yvonne MacNamara
Chief Executive Traveller Movement
Yvonne is Chief Executive of The Traveller Movement, a national community development policy and voice charity who campaign against discrimination, promote inclusion, participation and community engagement for the Irish Traveller and Gypsy communities in Britain. The Traveller Movement works in partnership with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities together with service providers and policy makers across the UK to better promote social inclusion and community cohesion. (Read more)
Elizabeth Taylor
Chief Executive, Employment Related Services Association (ERSA)
Elizabeth Taylor is the Chief Executive of ERSA, a membership body for all organisations delivering, or with an interest in, employment support services. ERSA’s membership includes large providers, members of supply chains, smaller organisations, private and third sector, youth organisations, local authorities, housing providers, general and specialist providers.
Ndidi Okezie
CEO, UK Youth
Ndidi is CEO of UK Youth a charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered at every stage of their lives. They work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported, and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes.
Yvonne Field
Founder and CEO, Ubele
Yvonne is Founder and CEO of The Ubele Initiative an African Diaspora led intergenerational social enterprise. It supports a wide range of communities, community-based organisations and groups with their community assets (people and physical spaces), though social action, community enterprise development and next generation leadership initiatives. They design and deliver local, regional, national projects and international programmes as well as being involved in London regional policy initiatives and campaigns.
Find out more about our grantees.
